Simply Recipes / Kris Osborne
Earlier this year, one of my favorite podcasters, Liz Moody, slowly turned me on to the idea of stuffing fresh raspberries with individual dark chocolate chips as an elite snack. I say “slowly” because I initially dismissed the suggestion for months, thinking it wouldn’t be that good. I know, I know—I couldn’t have been more wrong!
When I finally tried it, I immediately had one of those “why didn’t I do this sooner?” moments. The combination of tart fruit and rich chocolate is diabolically delicious.
So when my editor shared this viral snack hack combining pomegranate arils with chocolate chips, I didn't hesitate for a moment. I headed to the store, picked up some fresh pomegranates, and tried it immediately. The snack combo, originally shared by Megan Pauline (@megpauline), recently took the internet by storm.
Whether you’re looking for a really great food combination or are striving to navigate New Year’s goals without feeling like you’re living on a diet of ice cubes and celery, I’m here to tell you that this is the ultimate low-effort dessert.
Simply Recipes / Kris Osborne
How To Make the Pomegranate and Chocolate Snack
Start by adding a handful of fresh pomegranate arils to a small bowl. If you're using store-bought arils and they look a bit wet, pat them dry with a paper towel so the chocolate doesn't get sticky or clump together. Sprinkle in a small handful of dark chocolate chips, mini chips, or broken-up pieces from a dark chocolate bar—my preference.
As a good starting ratio, I recommend one part chocolate to three or four parts pomegranate arils. Give everything a gentle stir to mix in the chocolate, then eat it with a spoon.
Simply Recipes / Kris Osborne
A Few Tips That Make This Even Better
- Chill it: Keep your pomegranate arils chilled until you're ready to eat. The contrast between the cold, refreshing fruit and room-temperature chocolate makes it feel much more like dessert.
- Pomegranate how-to: If you're starting with a whole pomegranate instead of pre-packaged arils, you can find some tips on opening it.
- A bit of prep: You can also de-seed a pomegranate (or two or three) at the start of the week and keep the arils in an airtight container, which turns this into a 10-second snack when cravings hit.
Why I Love This Combo
There’s so much appeal here with the variety of textures, flavors, and contrast. Pomegranate arils are juicy and tart, and they kind of burst in your mouth, while dark chocolate is rich and slightly bitter, and it melts slowly on your tongue.
Together, they hit that sweet-tart-creamy balance that usually takes a lot more effort to pull off. It's the same reason chocolate-covered strawberries have been around forever, but this version is faster, easier, and much more snackable. You don't need to melt anything or dip anything; you just mix and eat.
Simply Recipes / Kris Osborne
What I really appreciate about this snack is that, whether you’re trying or not, it’s a genuinely healthful combo. This snack works because it's nutrient-forward but not joyless. I’m not a dietician or nutritionist, but I try to lead a balanced life.
I just happened to write a research-based article about nutrient-rich food combinations, and the dietitian I interviewed hailed berries and dark chocolate as a fantastic anti-inflammatory duo that offers more benefits together than individually. And I suspect this combo falls into the same category.
So whether you’re looking for a smart New Year’s solution or just a way to liven up your pantry staples, this is the kind of duo that adds a bit of "fun" in your food, and maybe even makes a smart habit stick.