Chocolate candy, candy shell with nuts
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
A crunchy, sweet confection featuring a hard candy shell encasing a chocolate center, often studded with nuts like peanuts or almonds for added texture. It delivers a satisfying snap followed by a rich, creamy chocolate flavor with a nutty undertone. Nutritionally, it's a calorie-dense treat with significant sugar and fat, but offers some protein and fiber from the nuts.
Calorie split: 9% protein · 47% carbs · 45% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for the delightful crunch of the candy shell and the rich, sweet chocolate paired with nutty flavor, making it a nostalgic and satisfying treat. Its versatility as a standalone snack or dessert topping, along with its cultural presence in holidays and celebrations, adds to its appeal.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high sugar and fat content can lead to blood-sugar spikes and is not ideal for those monitoring calorie intake or managing conditions like diabetes. To counteract, pair it with protein or healthy fats (like nuts or yogurt) to slow sugar absorption, practice portion control by limiting to a small serving, and choose versions with less added sugar or higher nut content.
Key benefits
- Provides a quick energy boost from carbohydrates and sugars
- Contains some protein and fiber from nuts
- Offers a satisfying texture contrast with crunchy shell and nuts
- Can be a convenient, portable snack
- May improve mood temporarily due to chocolate content
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The hard candy shell, often made with sugar and corn syrup, can be colored with natural or artificial dyes, and some versions use a process called 'panning' where layers of candy are built up over the chocolate and nuts.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 1.7 g |
| Energy | 506 kcal |
| Protein | 11.0 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 25.4 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 60.2 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 3.4 g |
| Total Sugars | 52.0 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 86.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.82 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 78.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 198 mg |
| Potassium, K | 353 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 122 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 1.5 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.46 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 2.4 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.12 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.16 mg |
| Niacin | 4.7 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.10 mg |
| Folate, total | 55.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 55.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 55.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 33.0 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.22 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 11.0 ug |
| Retinol | 11.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 1.9 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 4.4 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 5.0 mg |
| Theobromine | 54.0 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 13.3 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.15 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.07 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.35 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.42 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 4.6 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 1.8 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 3.4 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 2.3 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 6.3 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.04 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 6.1 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.07 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 2.7 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 2.6 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.06 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 4.0 mg |
FAQ
What are the main ingredients in chocolate candy with a candy shell and nuts?
The main ingredients typically include sugar, chocolate (or cocoa), nuts (like peanuts or almonds), corn syrup, and sometimes artificial colors and flavors.
Is this candy high in calories?
Yes, at 506 kcal per 100g, it is calorie-dense due to its high sugar and fat content, making it best enjoyed in moderation.
Can it be part of a balanced diet?
Yes, in small portions as an occasional treat, especially when paired with protein or fiber to mitigate blood sugar spikes.
Are there common allergens in this candy?
Yes, it often contains nuts (like peanuts or almonds) and may have milk derivatives, making it unsuitable for those with nut or dairy allergies.
How can I reduce the sugar impact when eating it?
Pair it with a source of protein or fat (like Greek yogurt or nuts), choose smaller portions, and avoid eating it on an empty stomach.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 5.06 kcal/g · 9% calories from protein · 3.4 g fiber · 52.0 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.35 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.