Almond bark is a confection used in many baking recipes. It is chocolate-like and usually made with vegetable fat, instead of cocoa butter, by many commercial food manufacturers, in order to keep the cost of production low. It is sold as blocks, bars, or round discs and is usually in a wafer-form. Almond bark can be used in a variety of ways, but is it an item which can be used on a gluten-free diet?
Almond bark is gluten-free as it does not contain wheat, rye or barley. However, many of the commercially packaged brands of almond bark are not certified gluten-free. If you have gluten sensitivities or intolerances, be sure to opt for a certified gluten-free brand. The best healthier and gluten-free alternatives include ChocZero Dark Chocolate Bark and Taza Almond Bark.
In this article, we’ll look at some of the brands of almond bark, made with both dark chocolate and milk chocolate. We’ll take a closer look at the ingredients in these brands and why they are not so healthy for you. Then we’ll offer you some alternative brands of almond bark. Let’s dig in!
Contents
- Unhealthy Ingredients in Almond Bark
- Almond Bark Nutritional Information
- Alternatives to Almond Bark
- ChocZero – Dark Chocolate Keto Bark Sugar Free Almond
- ChocZero – Milk Chocolate Keto Bark Sugar Free Almond
- The Chocolate Trader Better Choice Dark Chocolate Keto Almond Bark
- The Chocolate Trader Better Choice Milk Chocolate Keto Almond Bark
- Taza Chocolate Organic Sea Salt & Almond Dark Bark Chocolate Candy
- Taza Chocolate Dark Bark Coconut Almond Organic Dark Chocolate Thins
- Final Thoughts
- Related Questions
Unhealthy Ingredients in Almond Bark
The palm kernel oil used in the more commercially processed brands of almond bark is hydrogenated. This means that the structure of the oil has been chemically altered, which makes the oil have more trans fats, a form of unsaturated fat which has negative health effects. These fats are inflammatory for your body and can raise your bad cholesterol and lower your good, which are contributing factors to developing heart disease.
“Natural flavors” is a term which can include both plant and animal-derived flavors. In order to produce the natural flavors many products contain, a great number of chemicals are used to create the ingredient.
The sugar in these brands of almond bark is processed and refined. This type of sugar is linked with increasing a risk for obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
Almond Bark Nutritional Information
Great Value Chocolate Almond Bark
Ingredients:
- Sugar
- Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil
- Cocoa Powder Processed With Alkali
- Nonfat Dry Milk
- Soy Lecithin (An Emulsifier)
- Natural Flavor
Nutrition Facts (for 15 gram serving):
- 80 – Calories
- 4.5 g – Total Fat
- 4 g – Saturated Fat
- 0 g – Trans Fat
- 0 mg – Cholesterol
- 0 mg – Sodium
- 10 g – Total Carbohydrate
- 0 g – Dietary Fiber
- 10 g – Sugars
- 0 g – Protein
Great Value Vanilla Almond Bark
Ingredients:
- Sugar
- Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil
- Nonfat Dry Milk
- Soy Lecithin (An Emulsifier)
- Natural Flavor
Nutrition Facts (for 15 gram serving):
- 80 – Calories
- 4 g – Total Fat
- 4 g – Saturated Fat
- 0 g – Trans Fat
- 0 mg – Cholesterol
- 0 mg – Sodium
- 11 g – Total Carbohydrate
- 0 g – Dietary Fiber
- 10 g – Sugars – Includes 20 grams added sugars
- 0 g – Protein
Kind Dark Chocolate Almond
Gluten-free, a good source of fiber, low in sodium and glycemic index, the Kind brand of dark chocolate almond bars has a higher quality of ingredients than other bars, but the high carb and calorie count is still concerning.
Ingredients:
- Almonds
- Coconut
- Honey
- Glucose Syrup
- Palm Kernel Oil
- Sugar
- Chicory Root Fiber
- Rice Flour
- Unsweetened Chocolate
- Alkalized Cocoa
- Soy Lecithin
- Sea Salt
- Natural Flavor
- Cocoa Butter
Nutrition Facts (for 1 bar / 40 gram serving):
- 180 – Calories
- 13 g – Total Fat
- 7 g – Saturated Fat
- 0 g – Trans Fat
1.5 g – Polyunsaturated Fat - 3.5 g – Monounsaturated Fat
- 0 mg – Cholesterol
- 25 mg – Sodium
- 20 g – Total Carbohydrate
- 5 g – Dietary Fiber
- 10 g – Sugars – Includes 9 grams added sugars
- 3 g – Protein
Kind Dark Chocolate Almond & Salted Caramel Bark
Adding quinoa for a crunch and salted caramel for a unique blend of salty and sweet, this variety of Kind bark has nutrient-dense ingredients, like almonds. It contains palm kernel oil and processed sugar, so consume in moderation.
Ingredients:
- Almonds
- Chocolate
- Sugar
- Cocoa Butter
- Caramel Drizzle (Sugar, Palm Kernel Oil, Skim Milk, Milk, Cocoa Powder, Soy Lecithin, Salt, Colored With Paprika Extract)
- Puffed Quinoa (Quinoa Flour)
- Salted Caramel (Sugar, Sea Salt, Natural Flavor)
- Soy Lecithin
- Natural Flavor
- Rosemary Extract To Maintain Freshness
Nutrition Facts (for ⅓ pack / 34 gram serving):
- 180 – Calories
- 13 g – Total Fat
- 5 g – Saturated Fat
- 0 g – Trans Fat
1.5 g – Polyunsaturated Fat - 6 g – Monounsaturated Fat
- 0 mg – Cholesterol
- 20 mg – Sodium
- 16 g – Total Carbohydrate
- 3 g – Dietary Fiber
- 11 g – Sugars – Includes 109 grams added sugars
- 4 g – Protein
barkTHINS, Dark Chocolate Coconut and Almond Snacking Chocolate
Manufactured by the Hershey Company, barkThins are Non-GMO certified, kosher, and gluten-free.
Ingredients:
- Dark Chocolate (Chocolate (Fair Trade Certified by Fair Trade USA Over 65% Fair Trade Ingredients)
- Sugar (Fair Trade Certified by Fair Trade USA)
- Cocoa Butter (Fair Trade Certified by Fair Trade USA Over 65% Fair Trade Ingredients)
- Milk Fat
- Lecithin (Soy)
- Vanilla
- Almonds
- Coconut
- Rice Syrup
- Sea Salt
Nutrition Facts (for 31 gram serving):
- 160 – Calories
- 12 g – Total Fat
- 7 g – Saturated Fat
- 0 g – Trans Fat
- 0 mg – Cholesterol
- 55 mg – Sodium
- 16 g – Total Carbohydrate
- 3 g – Dietary Fiber
- 14 g – Sugars – Includes 11 grams added sugars
- 2 g – Protein
Alternatives to Almond Bark
We have some low-sugar alternative brands of almond bark to share with you. These brands are also made with quality, sometimes raw and clean ingredients — those ingredients you can feel good about putting into your body.
ChocZero – Dark Chocolate Keto Bark Sugar Free Almond
Sweetened with extract from monk fruit, instead of sugar, this keto-friendly and gluten-free bark is also low carb, with only 2 grams of net carbs per ounce.
Ingredients:
- Dark Chocolate (Unsweetened Chocolate, Cocoa Butter)
- Soluble Corn Fiber
- Almonds
- Sea Salt
- Sunflower Lecithin
- Monk Fruit Extract
- Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Beans
Nutrition Facts (for 1 ounce serving):
- 120 – Calories
- 10 g – Total Fat
- 5 g – Saturated Fat
- 0 g – Trans Fat
- 0 mg – Cholesterol
- 120 mg – Sodium
- 15 g – Total Carbohydrate
- 13 g – Dietary Fiber
- 0 g – Sugars
- 1 g – Protein
ChocZero – Milk Chocolate Keto Bark Sugar Free Almond
Made with ethically-sourced cocoa, and containing no sugar alcohols or artificial sweeteners, this gluten-free bark is a perfect sweet treat.
Ingredients:
- Milk Chocolate (Unsweetened Chocolate and Cocoa Butter, Whole Milk Powder)
- Soluble Corn Fiber
- Almonds
- Monk Fruit Extract
- Sunflower Lecithin
- Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Beans
Nutrition Facts (for 1 ounce serving):
- 150 – Calories
- 14 g – Total Fat
- 8 g – Saturated Fat
- 0 g – Trans Fat
- 10 mg – Cholesterol
- 10 mg – Sodium
- 11 g – Total Carbohydrate
- 8 g – Dietary Fiber
- 1 g – Sugars
- 3 g – Protein
The Chocolate Trader Better Choice Dark Chocolate Keto Almond Bark
Check this out: no added sugars, no sugar alcohols, no artificial sweeteners, all natural and Non-GMO, this gluten-free brand of chocolate almond bark is a winner!
Ingredients:
- Dark Chocolate (Chocolate Liquor, Cocoa Butter, Pure Vanilla)
- Soluble Pea Fiber
- Almonds
- Sea Salt
- Monk Fruit Extract
Nutrition Facts (for 48 pieces / 28 gram serving):
- 130 – Calories
- 11 g – Total Fat
- 6 g – Saturated Fat
- 0 g – Trans Fat
- 0 mg – Cholesterol
- 10 mg – Sodium
- 5 g – Total Carbohydrate
- 8 g – Dietary Fiber
- 1 g – Sugars
- 2 g – Protein
The Chocolate Trader Better Choice Milk Chocolate Keto Almond Bark
Made with almonds grown in America, and cocoa beans from the African Ivory Coast, this brand of almond bark is made with 80% cocoa, rich cocoa butter and soluble pea fiber instead of corn fiber, to help your gut health.
Ingredients:
- Milk Chocolate (Cocoa Butter, Whole Milk, Chocolate Liquor, Pure Vanilla)
- Soluble Pea Fiber
- Almonds
- Sea Salt
- Monk Fruit Extract
Nutrition Facts (for 48 pieces / 28 gram serving):
- 140 – Calories
- 12 g – Total Fat
- 6 g – Saturated Fat
- 0 g – Trans Fat
- 0 mg – Cholesterol
- 10 mg – Sodium
- 7 g – Total Carbohydrate
- 5 g – Dietary Fiber
- 1 g – Sugars
- 3 g – Protein
Taza Chocolate Organic Sea Salt & Almond Dark Bark Chocolate Candy
The Taza brand of almond bark contains better ingredients than other brands. The Taza Direct Trade has personal relationships with the growers who provide them with organic cacao for their products, and they pay them higher than Fair Trade market prices to continue and deliver quality products which are healthy for you.
Ingredients:
- Organic Cacao Beans
- Organic Almonds
- Organic Cane Sugar
- Organic Puffed Quinoa
- Organic Cocoa Butter
- Sea Salt
Nutrition Facts (for ½ cup / 29 gram serving):
- 160 – Calories
- 12 g – Total Fat
- 6 g – Saturated Fat
- 0 g – Trans Fat
- 0 mg – Cholesterol
- 60 mg – Sodium
- 13 g – Total Carbohydrate
- 5 g – Dietary Fiber
- 5 g – Sugars – Includes 5 grams added sugars
- 3 g – Protein
Taza Chocolate Dark Bark Coconut Almond Organic Dark Chocolate Thins
With the added treat of coconut, and just 7 grams of sugar per serving, this Taza almond bark is a winner. It contains 80% dark chocolate and protein-packed quinoa.
Ingredients:
- Organic Cacao Beans
- Organic Cane Sugar
- Organic Almonds
- Organic Toasted Coconut
- Organic Puffed Quinoa
- Organic Cocoa Butter
- Sea Salt
- Organic Vanilla
Nutrition Facts (for ½ cup / 29 gram serving):
- 230 – Calories
- 15 g – Total Fat
- 9 g – Saturated Fat
- 0 g – Trans Fat
- 0 mg – Cholesterol
- 35 mg – Sodium
- 18 g – Total Carbohydrate
- 7 g – Dietary Fiber
- 7 g – Sugars
- 4 g – Protein
Final Thoughts
Almond bark is naturally a gluten-free food. There are many brands you can choose from, some with not-so-healthy ingredients, and others with good, clean ingredients. If you have to manage a gluten-free diet, remember there are brands of almond bark which are not only gluten-free, but also healthier for you than more widely produced commercial brands. Happy snacking!
Related Questions
Is almond bark dairy free?
Almond bark is not dairy free, as most brands contain some form of milk and butter ingredients used during the production of the chocolate coatings.
Is almond bark keto?
Traditional almond bark is not keto-friendly. Luckily, there are many alternatives available on the market which are keto-friendly! Many of the alternative almond bark brands we have highlighted here are keto-friendly, as they have a low net-carb content.
Is almond bark vegan?
Traditional almond bark is not vegan as it contain dairy in the form of milk. However, there are plenty of vegan and better-for-you dark chocolate brands on the market such as ChocZero and Lily’s.