• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Nourish Nutrition Blog

  • ABOUT
  • COOKBOOK
  • RECIPES
  • SERVICES
  • PHOTOGRAPHY
  • TIPS
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • ABOUT
  • COOKBOOK
  • RECIPES
  • SERVICES
  • PHOTOGRAPHY
  • TIPS
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipe Index » Desserts

    Easy Dark Chocolate Halloween Bark with Quinoa

    October 10, 2021 By Rebecca Desserts, Fall Recipes, Recipe Index

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
    Halloween bark on a white plate

    Make this crispy, crunchy, chocolatey Halloween bark in just 15 minutes. The toasted quinoa adds a great crunch and texture to the bark, the Halloween candy adds great color, texture, and flavor, and the semi-sweet chocolate just ties the whole dessert together.

    easy dark chocolate halloween candy bark with quinoa on pan with ingredients on table

    [This recipe was originally posted in September 2018. It has been updated with new cooking instructions, expert tips, FAQ, photos, video, and related recipes]

    Table of contents

    • How will this Halloween chocolate bark make your life better?
    • What makes this candy bark recipe so good?
    • How do I make this Halloween dessert?
    • Expert Tips/Substitutions
    • FAQ
    • How can I repurpose?
    • What can I make with leftover ingredients?

    How will this Halloween chocolate bark make your life better?

    Turn your favorite Halloween candies or candy leftovers into this crunchy Halloween bark in just 15 minutes. Toasted quinoa adds a nice nutty flavor and crunch. You'll definitely want to make more after you finish this batch.

    Enjoy this chocolate Halloween bark with Melanie's Pumpkin Turkey Chili, Delicata Squash Soup, or Butternut Squash Lasagna Rolls.

    What makes this candy bark recipe so good?

    bowls of candy on a table

    How do I make this Halloween dessert?

    quinoa in sautee pan with candy surrounding it

    The first step to make this Halloween bark is to toast quinoa in a small saucepan, until it's golden brown. Watch it closely as it burns quickly (between 5-8 minutes).

    two hands holding chocolate chips in a glass bowl with candy on a table below

    Melt chocolate chips in microwave. Remove and stir chips every 30-ish seconds so it cooks well, and gets silky smooth.

    two hands holding melted chocolate in a glass bowl with candy on a table below

    Remove from microwave when chocolate is almost all melted and shiny. Stir one last time so all chocolate is melted and smooth, set aside. Pour quinoa into melted chocolate, mix together.

    spreading melted chocolate onto a sheet pan

    Pour chocolate/quinoa mixture onto a quarter sized baking sheet with a baking mat or parchment paper in it.

    sprinkling candy onto Halloween bark on a baking sheet

    Sprinkle candies, like mini M&Ms, Kit Kat's, and candy corn over chocolate Halloween bark, and then refrigerate for at least 15 minutes, but preferably about an hour. Cut or break up this easy Halloween candy, enjoy.

    Expert Tips/Substitutions

    • Microwave chocolate: stop and stir chocolate every 30 or so seconds so chocolate doesn't get overcooked, and chocolate can get really smooth.
    • Use your favorite candies in this Halloween bark.
    • Make sure the chocolate bark is at least a couple centimeters thick so it holds the candy without breaking. It doesn't need to be very thick!
    • Other great toppings: any chocolate candy, pretzels, peanut butter cups, chocolate or white chocolate drizzle.

    FAQ

    How thick does the bark have to be?

    I spread the chocolate bark out really thinly. it's easy to break, eat, and enjoy. But if you'd like thicker bark, you definitely can leave it thicker and cut with a knife. It's up to you!

    What is chocolate bark made of?

    Chocolate bark is usually made of melted chocolate and some toppings. As far as the chocolate goes, this question is totally personal, it depends on your chocolate preferences. Use what you have on hand and like the most. Or do a swirl of two types of chocolate, that'd look cool!

    Can you freeze chocolate bark?

    I'll have to try it and get back to you for sure. But I think you could, the candies, especially if you're using Kit Kat's like in this recipe, could get a bit soggy, but the chocolate & quinoa should hold up. You definitely can refrigerate the bark, it's nice and chilled.

    Halloween bark on a white plate

    How can I repurpose?

    Serve it over ice cream! It's so good.

    What can I make with leftover ingredients?

    • Chocolate Chips: Blueberry Chocolate Muffins, Double Chocolate Cookies, or Chocolate Dipped Oreos.
    • Quinoa: Use it in a Vegetarian Bowl or swap for the other grain in a salad like this Grapefruit and Avocado Salad, Watermelon Chicken Salad, or Mandarin Orange Salad.
    • Candy: eat it plain or over ice cream.

    Did you make this Halloween Bark? Leave me a comment & rating to share how it turned out!

    Halloween bark on a white plate
    Print Pin
    5 from 11 votes

    Easy Halloween Bark with Quinoa

    This easy dark chocolate halloween bark with quinoa is the perfect Halloween treat, either before Halloween or to use up your Halloween candy leftovers. 
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Cook Time 10 minutes
    Total Time 15 minutes
    Servings 1 sheet pan
    Author Rebecca

    Equipment

    • small skillet
    • rubber spatula
    • Cookie sheet
    • cutting board
    • knife
    • Microwave
    • Microwave safe bowl

    Ingredients

    • 1 ½ cups dark chocolate chips
    • ⅓ cup quinoa
    • 1 cup assorted Halloween candy

    Instructions

    • Add quinoa to a small saucepan, cook over medium heat, stir consistently for about 5-7 minutes or until quinoa begins to get toasted. Remove immediately if it starts to burn.
    • While quinoa is toasting, cut up candy bars into bitesized chunks, prepare candies to place on chocolate.
    • Near end of toasting quinoa, add chocolate chips to microwave safe glass bowl. Microwave for about 1-1.5 minutes, in 30 second intervals. Stir with spatula every 30 seconds. Remove from microwave when chocolate is almost all melted and shiny. Stir and set aside. 
    • Remove quinoa from saucepan. Pour into chocolate, and stir together. Get a ½ size baking sheet out, line it with a baking liner or parchment paper. Pour chocolate and quinoa mixture over baking sheet, spread thin with a spatula. Spread to about 2 cm thick or so. 
    • Sprinkle candies over chocolate, place in refrigerator for about an hour, or freezer for about 15 minutes to quickly harden bark. Break up with hands, and serve immediately, or place in sealed container in the fridge for up to a week.

    Video

    Chocolate Halloween Bark with Crunchy Quinoa

    Notes

    • The quinoa goes from golden brown to burned really quickly, stay close to your toasting quinoa.
    • Stop and stir chocolate every 30 or so seconds so chocolate doesn't get overcooked, and chocolate can get really smooth.
    • You don't have to use the candy I did, use your favorites, or whatever is leftover after Halloween
    • This is a great way to use up leftover Halloween candy.
    • Make sure the chocolate bark is at least a couple centimeters thick so it holds the candy without breaking. It doesn't need to be very thick!

    Want to get more single serving recipes or small batch recipes like this Halloween Bark delivered to your inbox? Click here to download my Single Serving Cookbook.

    Recipes are great, but you’ll need a simple 3 step process to create a meal plan that make cooking easy & helps you stop wasting food. Check out this expertly developed meal planning guide to get started. 

    More Desserts

    • white bowl of chocolate drizzled popcorn
      Chocolate Covered Popcorn
    • chocolate chip cookie dough on plates
      Edible Single Serving Cookie Dough
    • ramekin with brownie and chocolate ice cream
      Single Serving Brownie
    • spoonful of apple crisp in dish, square
      Apple Crumble Tart

    About Rebecca

    Welcome! I’m Rebecca, a food loving dietitian. On Nourish Nutrition, you’ll find real, quick, and nourishing recipes for one that'll get you to want to cook for yourself, because you deserve it.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Nicole @ Fitful Focus says

      September 26, 2018 at 9:53 am

      How cute is this? I can't believe it's already Halloween season.

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        September 26, 2018 at 1:04 pm

        thanks! and I can't believe it either, it's come so fast!

        Reply
    2. Deborah Brooks says

      September 26, 2018 at 12:19 pm

      wow what a fun and interesting twist! Love it

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        September 26, 2018 at 1:03 pm

        thanks!

        Reply
    3. Abbey Sharp says

      September 26, 2018 at 12:34 pm

      5 stars
      Okay this bark looks SUPER addictive. Also so cute! Perfect as a gift too

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        September 26, 2018 at 1:03 pm

        thanks! and you're right, so perfect as a gift

        Reply
    4. Jane Saunders says

      September 26, 2018 at 1:17 pm

      5 stars
      This is the first bark I've come across with quinoa incorporated, but I can see how it would add great texture and bite. Love all the colourful toppings too.

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        October 01, 2018 at 8:03 am

        thanks! it adds so much!

        Reply
    5. Claudia Lamascolo says

      September 26, 2018 at 2:07 pm

      5 stars
      Oh this is so smart to add Quinoa.. I love these flavors, healthy and shouts fall all over what a great idea!

      Reply
    6. Cookilicious says

      September 26, 2018 at 2:25 pm

      genius idea to add quinoa in this chocolate bark! Love it!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        October 01, 2018 at 8:03 am

        thanks!

        Reply
    7. georgie says

      September 26, 2018 at 2:56 pm

      5 stars
      yum!! I've never put quinoa on chocolate bark before, this look so so delicious for Halloween!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        October 01, 2018 at 8:02 am

        ya, its a game changer!

        Reply
    8. Roxana says

      September 26, 2018 at 3:18 pm

      5 stars
      Using quinoa on chocolate bark, not so common, but how creative. Great idea to make these for kids.

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        October 01, 2018 at 8:02 am

        thanks!

        Reply
    9. Julie @ Running in a Skirt says

      September 27, 2018 at 9:38 am

      5 stars
      I never thought of putting quinoa into candy! What a great idea. This is so festive for Halloween!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        October 01, 2018 at 8:01 am

        thanks! its so easy & delicious

        Reply
    10. Anita says

      October 24, 2019 at 8:56 pm

      5 stars
      What a fun way to use quinoa. It's so easy to change the candies to suit any occasions. I'm going to use some crushed peppermint candies for Christmas. Perfect for gifting too. 🙂

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        October 28, 2019 at 9:04 pm

        such a great idea! and it'd be a fun twist on traditional Christmas bark

        Reply
    11. Natalie says

      October 24, 2019 at 10:34 pm

      5 stars
      Such a great Halloween treat! I love chocolate barks - looks amazing ♥

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        October 28, 2019 at 9:03 pm

        chocolate barks are the best! thanks

        Reply
    12. Veena Azmanov says

      October 24, 2019 at 10:44 pm

      5 stars
      Very creative and unique. Best for the festivity.

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        October 28, 2019 at 9:03 pm

        thanks so much!

        Reply
    13. Jacqueline Debono says

      October 25, 2019 at 2:04 am

      5 stars
      I love how easy this Halloween chocolate bark is! Such a great way to use the candies too! I think both dark and white chocolate bark made like this would be fabulous!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        October 28, 2019 at 9:03 pm

        thanks! and yes, dark & white chocolate would be awesome!

        Reply
    14. Shashi at SavorySpin says

      October 25, 2019 at 3:38 am

      5 stars
      This is such a fantastic idea - but, don't ask me to share this - cos this is what I am going to be chomping on when trick or treaters stop by and I hand them candy instead!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        October 28, 2019 at 9:02 pm

        ohh yes great idea!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Rebecca of Nourish Nutrition Blog in a kitchen making guacamole with chips and dips on counter

    Rebecca, MS, RDN
    of Nourish Nutrition

    At Nourish Nutrition, you'll find bold, flavorful recipes for one. Most are single serving, and all have suggestions to use up the leftover ingredients so you can stop throwing away unused ingredients & leftovers!

    popular posts

    • cod with lemon on top next to couscous and broccoli
      Easy Instant Pot Fish (can cook from frozen!)
    • glass jar with oats, chia seeds, and frozen berries in it
      Overnight Oats with Yogurt
    • glass bowl of red and green cabbage and shredded carrots
      Red Wine Vinegar Coleslaw
    • close up of beef, sauteed spinach, garlic, and red pepper flakes in a bowl
      Thai Inspired Beef and Spinach Bowl

    featured on

    logos of media outlets Rebecca of Nourish Nutrition Co has contributed to

    nutrition counseling

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Rebecca
    • Recipes
    • How to Eat
    • Disclaimer/Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up for a free single serving cookbook

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Nutrition Services
    • Recipe/Food Photography Services

    Copyright © 2022 Nourish Nutrition Co