If you’ve ever grabbed a box of chocolate-covered raisins at the store and thought, I could probably make these at home, you’d be absolutely right. And the best part? This easy recipe uses simple ingredients, no fancy equipment, and just a few minutes of hands-on time.
I love recipes like this because they turn everyday pantry staples into something that feels like a treat. With chewy raisins coated in smooth melted chocolate, these homemade chocolate-covered raisins are perfect for snacking, movie nights, lunchbox treats or packaging up during the holiday season.
Once you try them homemade, you may never go back to store-bought again.
Why Make Homemade Chocolate-Covered Raisins?
This chocolate-covered raisins recipe is popular for good reason:
- You control the ingredients
- No waxy coatings or preservatives
- Make raisin clusters or individual chocolate raisins
- You can choose milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even white chocolate
- It’s a fun, quick kitchen project for kids and adults
They’re made with good-quality chocolate and real fruit.
Ingredients You’ll Need (Simple and Flexible)
You only need two main ingredients:
- Chewy raisins
- Chocolate (chips or bars)
From there, you can customize the flavor and texture with small additions like coconut oil for smoother chocolate, a sprinkle of sea salt, or even a light dusting of cocoa powder.
Individual Chocolate-Covered Raisins (Classic Candy-Style)
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Kitchen Essentials
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Raisins
- 1 ½ Cups Milk Chocolate Chips or chopped dark chocolate
- ¾ Teaspoon Coconut Oil about ½ teaspoon per cup of chocolate
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet or plate with parchment paper or wax paper and set aside. I prefer wax paper as the chocolates are easier to remove.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, heat chocolate and coconut oil in 20–30 second intervals, stirring until smooth.1 ½ Cups Milk Chocolate Chips, ¾ Teaspoon Coconut Oil
- Or melt using a double boiler over low heat, stirring constantly.
- Coat in small batches. Add about ½ cup of raisins to the melted chocolate. Stir just until coated, then remove them before adding more. This helps prevent clumping.2 Cups Raisins
- Shake off excess chocolate. Lift raisins out with a fork, gently tapping the fork on the side of the bowl so extra chocolate drips off for a thin, even coating.
- Place and separate. Drop raisins onto the prepared pan, spacing them apart. If any touch, gently nudge them apart right away before the chocolate sets.
- Let set. Allow to firm at room temperature or refrigerate until fully set. Once hardened, gently peel from the paper and store.
Your Own Private Notes
Notes
Small Clusters Option
Use a spoon or small cookie scoop to lift out small clusters and place them on the prepared pan. These little chocolate raisin clusters are easier to snack on once they set. It’s easy to mix in mini marshmallows and nuts into the clusters too. My family loves to snack on them.⭐ Pro Tip for Thin, Even Coating
Adding ½ teaspoon coconut oil per cup of chocolate slightly thins the chocolate so it coats the raisins smoothly without pooling, helping you get that classic candy-style finish. Note. If you make clusters, it is not necessary to add the coconut oil to the chocolate.Best Chocolate to Use
You can use:- Milk chocolate chips for classic sweetness
- Chopped dark chocolate for richer flavor
- White chocolate for a sweeter, creamy coating or drizzle
✅ Yield / Servings
- Total Yield: about 2 cups of chocolate-covered raisins
- Approximate Servings: 6–8 servings
How That Breaks Down
- A typical snack-size serving is about ¼ cup
- 2 cups total ÷ ¼ cup per serving = 8 servings
- If you serve slightly larger portions (about ⅓ cup), you’ll get 6 servings
For Gift-Giving or Packaging
If you’re using them for the holiday season or party favors:- 2 cups will fill about 4 small treat bags or jars (½ cup each)
- Or about 8 small snack-size bags (¼ cup each)
Nutrition
Storage
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1–2 weeks, or refrigerate for longer freshness.
Clusters vs. Individual Raisins — Which Should You Make?
Both versions of homemade chocolate-covered raisins are delicious, but they each have their own little advantages depending on what you’re using them for.
✅ Chocolate Raisin Clusters
Best for. quick snacking, dessert trays, and gift jars
Clusters are made by scooping spoonfuls of chocolate-coated raisins onto the pan, letting them set together in small piles. They’re faster to make and give you a bigger bite of chocolate in every piece.
Why you might love clusters:
- Faster and less fussy to scoop
- Great for mixing in nuts or pretzels
- Perfect for packaging as homemade treats during the holiday season
- Look rustic and homemade (in the best way)
Clusters are also great if you’re adding extras like chopped nuts or want to make trail-mix-style candy bites.
✅ Individual Chocolate-Covered Raisins
Best for: classic candy-style snacking and portion control
This method coats raisins in smaller batches and removes extra chocolate before placing them on the pan, giving you mostly single raisins with a thinner chocolate shell. Similar to store-bought chocolate-covered raisins, but fresher and made with simple ingredients.
Why you might prefer individual raisins:
- Thinner chocolate coating
- Less sticking together
- Easier to sprinkle over yogurt, ice cream, or baked goods
- Feel more like traditional candy pieces
Adding a little coconut oil to the chocolate helps it coat smoothly without pooling, making this method easier and more consistent.
⭐ Our Take
If you want fast, cozy, homemade candy, go with clusters.
If you want that classic movie-theater-style candy feel, go with individual raisins.
The good news? You can use the same ingredients and melted chocolate for both. It just comes down to how you scoop and space them on the pan.
Recipe Variations to Try
Once you master the basic version, there are so many fun ways to change it up:
🍫 Dark Chocolate Almond Raisins
Stir chopped toasted almonds into the chocolate before adding raisins for a little crunch.
🤍 White Chocolate Raisins
Use melted white chocolate instead of dark or milk chocolate for a sweeter, creamier version.
🍁 Maple Chocolate Drizzle
Drizzle white or dark chocolate mixed with a little maple syrup over set clusters for a lightly sweet finish.
🌰 Trail Mix Clusters
Mix raisins with peanuts or pretzels, then coat and scoop into larger clusters.
❄️ Holiday Season Treats
Sprinkle with festive colored sugar or package in small jars or bags for easy homemade gifts during the holiday season.
Common Questions
Why Isn’t the Chocolate Sticking to My Raisins?
Raisins that are damp or sticky won’t hold chocolate well. Make sure they’re fully dry before coating.
Why Does My Chocolate Look Dull?
That’s normal when chocolate isn’t tempered. It doesn’t affect taste at all, just appearance.
Can I Make These Without Coconut Oil?
Yes. The oil just helps thin the chocolate for easier coating, but it’s completely optional.
Simple Treats Are Often the Best
Sometimes the easiest recipes are the ones we make again and again. These homemade chocolate-covered raisins are simple, cozy, and just plain good. The kind of snack that disappears fast whether it’s movie night or you’re sneaking a few after supper.
If you’re looking for an easy candy recipe that doesn’t require special tools or complicated steps, this one is definitely worth trying.
My family loved this!