You are going to love the crunch and unique flavor of these chocolate-covered dry roasted edamame!
If you are a Trader Joe’s shopper, you know that it is full of fun and tasty treats. I think we all have our favorites, and there are lots of other things we’ve never even noticed or tried. I would love to hear some of your favorites in the comments so I can look for them next time! I get lots of staples there, but I also like to pick up some specialty items like their soy sauce rice crackers or chocolate-covered edamame.
We first tried Dark Chocolate Edamame when my oldest was a preschooler. He called them “aardvarks,” and I have no earthly idea why. From then on, that’s what they were called in our house. We are a dessert-loving family around here, almost always having a sweet treat after dinner. I can give a dozen chocolate edamame to my kids, and they feel like they hit the dessert jackpot. It’s a treat I feel good about giving them, so we’re all happy!
This is the TJs version.
Recently, I saw plain dry-roasted edamame in my regular grocery store, so I got the idea to make some aardvarks of my own. You could also use this technique on raisins, peanuts, dried cranberries, or whatever other shelf-stable snack you think would taste good covered in chocolate. Basically, you just need to melt chocolate, stir in your edamame to coat them, spread them on parchment, and wait for the chocolate to harden. Let’s do a photo walkthrough of the steps (a detailed, printable recipe is at the end of this post):
The Materials: Semi-sweet chocolate and dry-roasted edamame.
The Method: Melt the chocolate. Stir in the beans. Spread them in a single layer on parchment paper.
The Result: Lightly chocolate-covered dry-roasted edamame for your snacking pleasure.
These homemade aardvarks were quite tasty and disappeared quickly in our house. I used very dark chocolate, 78% cacao, but I would recommend using a sweeter chocolate like 35-50% cacao to taste more like the original. The Trader Joe’s version also has more chocolate coating the beans. I was fine with a lighter coating, but you could repeat the chocolate coating step a second time once the first coat has hardened if you would like a thicker chocolate shell. I hope you will try (and love!) this healthy, chocolatey treat loaded with protein and fiber!
| Prep Time | 60 minutes |
| Servings |
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- Lay out a 24" long piece of parchment paper in a cool place (not in the sun).
- Break chocolate into about 1" pieces, and place in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in the microwave for for 30 seconds on high, stir, then heat 30 seconds longer. Remove and stir vigorously to melt the remaining chocolate. (This may take a minute or longer.)
- Add edamame to melted chocolate, and stir to coat. Pour chocolate-covered beans onto parchment, and spread into an even layer. To avoid clumps of beans, use a toothpick to separate the beans as best you can. This process will either take you into a peaceful zen state, or you will lose interest and decide clumps aren't really that bad since you don't need to eat one bean at a time.
- Allow chocolate to harden, which may take 30-60 minutes depending on your temperature and the chocolate used. When fully set, pull beans off parchment and stir in an airtight container in a cool place (or eat them all immediately).
Chocolate-covered goodies are the BEST! Try these on for size:
Dee says
How do I roast edamame ?
Andi says
Hi, Dee! I bought pre-roasted edamame. I did try this recipe to make my own once, but they turned out more chewy and less crispy: http://brooklynfarmgirl.com/2013/10/17/salted-dried-soybeans/ It might have been my oven or technique though!
Liz says
Happy summer, Andi. Full speed ahead! I’m all over chocolate and all over edamame (Trader Joe’s, too), but never thought to combine. Curious… Wouldn’t have thought to put it together, but if TJ’s (and The Weary Chef!) did it, you can sign me up :-) lol, aardvarks. teehee
Andi says
Hi! Sorry it took me embarrassingly long to reply. I’m going to blame that on summer. These chocolate edamame are right up your alley. Aren’t you a spokesperson for soybeans? You’ll have to try them and report back or post your own version!
Sarah @ The Woks of Life says
This is so awesome! I’d never think of edamame and chocolate together. We don’t have many trader joe’s stores in NJ or in Beijing, for that matter. But we do have plenty of edamame. Thanks for the idea, Andi!
Andi says
Thanks, Sarah. I hope you like it :) (And I hope you get a TJs in NJ soon too!)
Laura @ Lauras Baking Talent says
Laughing that he calls them aardvarks. These look delicious and so easy to make, love snacks like that.
Andi says
He is a little character! It’s funny because I don’t even know how he knew the word aardvark. It’s not like an animal that comes up in conversation often. I hope you like the chocolate edamame if you get a chance to try them, Laura!
Kelly says
Oh my gosh Andi, I love these! That’s awesome that you made these at home. We love edamame – especially my son and I seriously can’t wait to try these treats – pinning! Oh and if you are a coconut fan, you’ve got to try TJ’s roasted coconut flakes – so so good :)
Andi says
Thank you, Kelly! I think you will really like them! Are the coconut flakes with the dried fruit and nuts? I will look next time because I am definitely a coconut fan. Thanks!
Carol at Wild Goose Tea says
My closest Trader’s Joes is an hour away. So I rarely go. BUT chocolate covered anything is the bomb. And that’s all that has to be said.
Andi says
Thanks, Carol! As much as I love Trader Joe’s, I wouldn’t make it there either if it took me an hour! Maybe I should write more copycat recipes for you TJs-deprived folks ;)
Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats says
What a fun snack Andi! I can totally see myself munching on these with I have a late night sweet tooth! Best part is I wouldn’t even feel guilty eating them. Pinned girl! :)
Andi says
Thanks, Krista! These are definitely perfect for a late-night snack :)
Emily @ It Bakes Me Happy says
Andi I am loving this treat, dry roasted edamame is now on my list of things to buy tomorrow at the grocery store :)
Andi says
Thank you, Emily! I found it in the dried fruit section of my grocery store. They used to sell big jars of them at Costco, and they were a favorite snack around here, but I haven’t been able to find them there for a couple years :) It’s nice to hear from you. I hope you are doing well!
Gretchen @ Two Healthy Kitchens says
Love these!!! I’ll have to check my local store for the dry roasted edamame and make my own!
I have a whole list of staples from Trader Joe’s … the sweet and salty trek mix, the edamame crackers (perfectly salty!), the schoolhouse cookies, cat cookies (for people!), sesame sticks, oh I could go on and on! I just love the creative snacks they have – and so do my kids! They are fans of the dunkers – though we don’t buy them too often!
Andi says
I love those edamame crackers too! I’ve seen the sesame sticks but not tried them. Maybe I’ll grab a bag next time :)
I hope you can find some dried edamame to try making this recipe, or at least just pick up a box at TJs on your next trip!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
What a great treat! I’ve never tried Trader Joe’s chocolate edamame, but I am a huge edamame fan in general, so these are right up my alley! Pinned!
Andi says
Thanks a lot, Gayle! I hope you like them if you try them :)