Trader Joe’s Slightly Coated Dark Chocolate Almonds
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve become more aware of the need to eat healthy. I’d never been an outright poor eater, but each passing year emphasizes the importance of making sure I’m around as long as I can be for those I care the most about.
In my research, I’ve learned that tree nuts have a number of health benefits that include potentially lowering cholesterol. Studies surrounding almonds on this front look promising. That’s one reason I’ve been incorporating more almonds into my daily diet.
Another food associated with lower cholesterol? Dark chocolate. That doesn’t mean you should eat it all the time, but a modest amount of dark chocolate can be good for you.
Imagine, then, pairing these two things together. Not only do you get the savory-sweet combination of taste, but also, potentially, a healthy snack if consumed in moderation. That’s a win-win in my book.
Trader Joe’s offers a few chocolate-covered nut options. One of them grabbed my attention for its simple sales pitch: “Almonds coated with a thin layer of dark chocolate and dusted with cocoa and sea salt.”
I picked some up.
Trader Joe’s Slightly Coated Dark Chocolate Almonds come in a 10-ounce resealable plastic bag. In 2025, the almonds cost $4.99, or around 50 cents an ounce.
A single serving of 19 almonds has 150 calories, 13 grams of fat (17% of your recommended daily value), 2 grams of saturated fat (10%), and 40 milligrams of sodium (2%). Each serving has 9 grams of carbs and 3 grams of fiber, making for a very good carbs-to-fiber ratio. A serving also has 6 grams of protein.
The ingredients include almonds, dark chocolate, vanilla extract, cocoa powder, nonfat dry milk, sea salt, and maple sugar. Three allergens are listed: milk, soy, and almond.
I like almonds and am fine with dark chocolate, so I was hopeful these would be good. They exceeded my expectations. I found them to be an excellent combination of crunchy almonds, sweetened dark chocolate, and a dusting of cocoa. The taste mix is very good.
If there was any nitpick, it’s that the cocoa dust ends up on your fingers, making a minor mess along the way. It’s easy enough to wipe off, but just be careful if you’re eating these and then wiping your hands on your clothes.
The Verdict:
Some food mixes are more than the sum of their parts. I think it’s fair to put these dark chocolate almonds in that category. The almonds are very good, and the thin layer of chocolate and accompanying cocoa dust are just enough to give it a sweet accent. The nutrition on these looks promising, too, provided you don’t overindulge. Overall, these are a delightful salty-sweet snack courtesy of Trader Joe’s.
