Chocolate Covered Oranges
These chocolate covered oranges are a healthy, bite-size snack that still satisfies your sweet tooth. Juicy mandarin orange segments are dipped in dark chocolate with a hint of cinnamon and sprinkled with flaky sea salt for the perfect mix of sweet and salty. They're beautiful, delicious, and so easy to make!
Anybody else remember those orange-flavored chocolate balls you'd smack on the counter to "peel" apart the segments? (very satisfying, if you ask me.) This recipe brings that same chocolate orange flavor, but in a lighter, fresher way.
The acidity of the orange cuts through the richness of the chocolate, making every bite balanced and bright. Plus, this quick homemade chocolate shell works beautifully on lots of fruits beyond oranges.
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Kid-friendly - A fun way to get kids excited about fruit! They'll love dipping and decorating these little chocolate oranges.
- So easy --Just 4 ingredients and no baking. From start to snack time in about 30 minutes.
- Pretty on a platter - Perfect for parties, brunches, or after-school treat that looks way fancier than it is.
Quick Tip: These also make adorable edible gifts. Tie a few in parchment or baggie and add a festive ribbon!
Ingredient Notes
Here are some tips & tricks for the ingredients needed for this recipe. Find exact measurements in the recipe card below!
- Mandarin oranges - They are a smaller, flatter type of orange that tends to have a sweeter flavor and is easier to peel. We go through bags of these at my house, my kids love them. This recipe is a fun way to use them.
- Dark chocolate - You can use whatever degree of dark chocolate you prefer. The more cacao, the more bitter the taste. Most standard dark chocolate chips are 50-70% cacao, but can range anywhere from 50-90%.
- Coconut oil - The secret to a shiny, homemade chocolate shell that hardens beautifully. Use refined coconut oil for a neutral taste (or vegetable oil in a pinch).
- Cinnamon - I add a hint of cinnamon to the chocolate to really enhance the depth of flavor and give it some warmth. Think Mexican chocolate!
- Flaky sea salt (optional) - Sprinkling some sea salt on top of the chocolate before it dries helps the chocolate flavor pop and adds some texture. You can leave this off if you prefer.
How to Make Chocolate Covered Oranges
Step 1: Prep the Oranges - Peel and separate the mandarins. Gently blot each segment dry with a paper towel. This along with using room temperature oranges will help the chocolate will stick better.
Line a baking sheet or plate with parchment paper.
Step 2: Melt the Chocolate - In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips, coconut oil, and cinnamon. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth. You could also do this in a double boiler on the stove.
Did You Know? Chocolate bars tend to melt better than chips. This is because chips often have more stabilizers to help them keep their shape. Chop up a chocolate bar for best results!
Step 3: Dip and Decorate - Dip each orange segment halfway into the melted chocolate. Gently shake off any excess and place on the prepared wax paper. Sprinkle with sea salt (or nuts, coconut, or sprinkles).
If making a larger batch, the chocolate can start to stiffen up over time. Reheat in 10-second bursts in the microwave to keep it nice and smooth.
Step 4: Chill - Refrigerate for about 15 minutes, or until the homemade chocolate shell has hardened.
Serving Tips
These dark chocolate dipped oranges make a great no-bake chocolate treat for lunchboxes, dessert trays, or after-school snacks. They're also perfect for:
- A brunch fruit platter
- A lighter dessert for date night or girls' night
- A festive Halloween or holiday snack - the colors are perfect!
Storage Tips
Store the chocolate dipped oranges in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days though they're best enjoyed within 24 hours before the oranges start releasing juice.
You can easily double or halve the recipe depending on how many you need.
Freezing is not recommend. Use any extra chocolate to dip other fruits, pretzels or graham crackers!
Recipe Variations
- Use a different kind of orange. Bigger oranges like navel, Valencia or even blood oranges can be used (you'll need more chocolate).
- Add a pinch of cayenne or chili powder for a Mexican chocolate twist.
- Instead of sea salt sprinkle chopped nuts, shredded coconut or even colorful sprinkles on top!
- Not a dark chocolate fan? Semi-sweet, milk or white chocolate could also be used. Try drizzling a little melted white chocolate over dark for an even prettier finish!
FAQ
Yes! The sweetness of orange and the richness of chocolate balance each other beautifully in this chocolate orange recipe.
Canned mandarin oranges won't work for this recipe as it will be very difficult to get dry enough to get the chocolate to stick.
The possibilities are endless! Besides oranges, my favorites include strawberries, bananas, apples, kiwi and pineapple. As long as the fruit is dried off and not too wet for the chocolate to stick to it will work.
Other Snack Recipe You'll Love
Be sure to follow The Darling Apron on Facebook & Instagram along with what I'm pinning on Pinterest!
Have you made one of my recipes? I'd love your feedback on the comment box and star rating below the recipe!
📖 Recipe
Chocolate Covered Oranges
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Peel oranges and separate them into segments. Clean off as much of the pith (white stuff) as you can. Dry pieces with a paper towel. Line a small baking sheet with wax paper.
- In a small mixing bowl combine chocolate chips, coconut oil and cinnamon. Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring in between, until chocolate is completely melted. Stir until smooth.
- Take each orange segment and dip about halfway into the chocolate. Lift orange out of the chocolate and give it a gentle shake to remove excess. Place on baking sheet.
- Sprinkle tops with flaky sea salt, if desired. Repeat with all the orange pieces.
- Place pan in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to allow chocolate to harden completely. Enjoy right away or move oranges to an airtight container to keep in the fridge for 2-3 days.
Notes
- Oranges must be completely dry and at room temperature for the chocolate to stick well.
Yum! Such a fun snack!