Chocolate-Covered Dates are a delicious snack, treat, or dessert—indulgent yet made with wholesome ingredients to satisfy your sweet tooth!
author’s note
Dubai-Inspired Chocolate-Covered Stuffed Dates!
When my husband and I visited Dubai, we were amazed by how many date shops there were. Each one was filled with trays of dates stuffed, dipped, and coated in every combination imaginable. Naturally, we tried plenty (all in the name of research!), and our favorite ended up being the ones stuffed with nut butter and covered in chocolate.
This recipe is inspired by those unforgettable treats. Sweet, salty, and perfectly chewy, just stuff your dates with nut butter and crushed nuts, dip them in melted chocolate, and finish with a sprinkle of sea salt.
What Do Chocolate-Covered Dates Taste Like?
The Dubai dessert dates we enjoyed inspire today’s chocolate-dipped stuffed dates. They also taste somewhat reminiscent of a snickers bar — the dates are sweet and gooey with nutty (almost caramel-like and buttery) notes of flavor. They’re stuffed with creamy peanut butter and lightly salted peanuts. Then everything is covered in a layer of rich melted chocolate!
Let’s Chat Dates
Did you know dates are actually fresh, not dried fruit?!
If you love dates, you know this fruit is sticky, sweet, and gooey with a satisfying sweetness. And when you consider the health benefits of dates, it makes these little treats even that much more gratifying! I will say right here if you aren’t a fan of dates, you most likely won’t be a fan of this recipe. I mean…they’re dates!
Working With Dates
- Here are the exact dates I use.
- Find these near other dried fruits, trail mixes, and nuts in the store. For these dates covered with chocolate to taste best, you’ll want to use fresh soft dates.
- Soften dates if needed. Here’s a quick way to revive stale or hard dates. If the dates are too hard, they won’t be very easy to eat.
- Some dates have pits, others are sold with the pit already removed. Make sure to check and remove any pits from the dates before filling with nut butter.
Quick Tip
If you’ve got some leftover dates, use them in these Granola Bars, Cauliflower Smoothies, or Gluten-free Zucchini Muffins!
How To Make Chocolate-Covered Dates
- Melt chocolate: Place chocolate in the microwave in short bursts, stirring often, until smooth. Let it sit between bursts so residual heat finishes melting it.
- Use quality chocolate: Brands like Ghirardelli or Guittard melt better and taste richer.
- Keep chocolate dry: Even a drop of water can make it seize and harden.
- Dip the dates: Stick a toothpick through each date, dip in melted chocolate, and gently tap off excess. Set on a parchment-lined tray and let the chocolate harden.
Variations
If you love salty-sweet flavors, add a small sprinkle of sea salt flakes to the chocolate coating before it hardens!
Storage
How To Store Chocolate-Covered Dates
These dates stay fresh in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to a week.
Can you freeze chocolate dates? Yes! Place them on a baking sheet and freeze for about 30 minutes. Once fairly frozen, transfer to an airtight container or bag and return to the freezer. Freeze for up to 3 months.
More Easy No-Bake Treats:
Chocolate Covered Dates
Video
Equipment
- Sheet pan (15" x 10") lined
- Toothpicks
Ingredients
- 10 Medjool dates see note 1
- Creamy peanut butter or almond butter, see note 2
- 3 tablespoons chopped roasted peanuts or almonds
- 3/4 cup dark chocolate melting wafers or dark chocolate chips, see note 3
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
- Flaky sea salt optional
Instructions
- Cut a slit in the top of each date and gently remove the pit. Coarsely chop the peanuts or almonds and set aside. Line a sheet pan or plate with parchment paper, foil, or wax paper and set aside.
- Fill each date with a heaping 1/2 teaspoon of peanut or almond butter and smooth it into the date with the back of a spoon. Add a sprinkle of crushed peanuts or almonds on top of the nut butter. Gently press the nuts down into the butter. Gently press a toothpick through each date. Set aside.
- Add the chocolate and coconut oil to a microwave-safe bowl and heat in bursts of 20 seconds, stirring between bursts for 20–25 seconds until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Remember to stir for a while to ensure it doesn’t burn.
- Working one at a time, hold onto the toothpick and dip each date into melted chocolate to coat the bottom. Use a spoon to coat the top and sides of the dates until fully covered in chocolate. Holding the toothpick, tap the date a few times to allow excess chocolate to fall back into the bowl. Transfer coated date to the prepared sheet pan or plate and use another toothpick to coax the date off the original toothpick.
- Sprinkle any remaining crushed peanuts or almonds and sea salt flakes on top of each date. Place the dates in the fridge to allow the chocolate to set, about 30 minutes, or let harden at room temperature for about an hour.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
My wife has a peanut allergy. Do you think these would be any good with sunflower butter and seeds?
Yeah if she enjoys the flavor of sunflower butter it’s a great alternative!
Was gifted a large box of fresh Medjool dates and found your recipe. They are easy and
delicious! Love the sea salt on top! Look forward to surprising my family with these!
YAY! So thrilled to hear this! Thanks Lisa! 🙂
my husband and i CANNOT get enough of these!!! so simple, but SO GOOD!!
Yay! So happy to hear this! Thanks Callie! 🙂