Chocolate covered dates are an easy and healthy dessert or snack made using pitted medjool dates covered with your favorite melted chocolate. Stuff the chocolate dates with your favorite nuts or nut butter for an even more decadent treat.
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Why Should You Make This Recipe
I have several fun chocolate covered recipes on the blog. My personal favorites at the moment are my Chocolate Covered Pineapple, Chocolate Covered Apples, Chocolate Covered Blueberries, White Chocolate Covered Strawberries and Chocolate Covered Popcorn. These chocolate coated dates (stuffed or unstuffed) are another fun and easy treat I know you’ll love.
- They are quick, easy and fun to make. These chocolate dipped dates are made using 2 ingredients you probably already have in your fridge or pantry. They take about 5 minutes to make and a little longer to set.
- You need a delicious and healthy no bake treat. Chocolate dates are so simple to make and result in a beautiful and endlessly adaptable healthy dessert or snack.
Ingredients
To make these dates covered in chocolate, make sure you have these 2 ingredients ready to go.
Gather medjool dates, chocolate and coconut oil. If you’d like to top or stuff the chocolate dates with nuts, nut butter, coconut flakes, or simply some flaky salt, make sure to grab those ingredients too.
Substitutions
If you need them, here are my recommended substitutions for this date and chocolate treat.
- Dates: Feel free to use your preferred dates. I love using pitted medjool dates from Trader Joes.
- Dark Chocolate: I love the taste of dark chocolate with the sweet flavor of dates. Milk chocolate and dark chocolate candy melts are good alternatives. If you love white chocolate, feel free to use that instead.
- Coconut Oil: This is strictly for appearance and very optional. Adding a teaspoon or two to chocolate gives it a smooth and glossy shine after it cools and hardens. Feel free to skip this ingredient if you like.
- Possible Toppings or Stuffing Ingredients: If you would like, stuff each date with nut butter such as peanut butter or a whole nut like almonds. Possible topping ideas include orange or lemon zest, finely chopped nuts like pistachios or simply a but of flaky sea salt.
How To Make
Learn how to make chocolate covered dates in two easy steps.
- Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or wax paper and set aside for now. If the dates are not pitted, slice the center of the date lengthwise, gently remove the pit, stuff the date, close the date and cover in chocolate. If you would like to stuff the dates with nuts or nut butter, gently pry open the dates in the center (lengthwise), add the nuts or nut butter and close the date. Set aside for now.
- Pour the dark, milk or white chocolate and coconut oil (if using) into a large microwave safe bowl. Heat in 30 second increments in the microwave until the chocolate is fully melted. Stir the chocolate in between each increment. Fully coat one date at a time into the melted chocolate until the entire date is coated in the melted chocolate. Place the chocolate coated dates onto the prepared baking sheet. Top with your preferred toppings as soon as the date is set on the lined baking sheet or plate. Repeat the chocolate coating and topping process until all the dates are coated in the chocolate. Chill the dipped chocolate dates in the fridge for about an hour or in the freezer for about 30 - 45 minutes.
How To Store
Store: Transfer leftover chocolate covered dates to an airtight container in the the fridge for up one week.
M’s Expert Tips
- Decide if you want to stuff the dates. Stuffing dates with nuts or nut butter is so simple. If the dates are pitted, simply pry open the dates in the center (lengthwise) add the nuts or nut butter and close the date before covering in chocolate.
- Stir the chocolate frequently. This prevents the milk, dark or white chocolate from burning and also promotes even melting. Be careful not to heat the chocolate too much. It should be warm touch.
- Setting the chocolate covered dates. Place them on parchment paper or wax paper. Transfer to the fridge or freezer to set them faster. They will eventually dry at room temperature, but it does take longer. Another option is to use a chocolate meant for covering fruit. This type of chocolate dries quickly at room temperature.
- Add toppings if you like. Shredded coconut, chopped nuts, nut butter, lemon or orange zest are perfect to top the chocolate dipped dates.
- If the dates are hard, soak them in hot water. Add dates to a bowl filled with hot water. Allow them to sit for 5 - 10 minutes. Remove the dates from the hot water and dry them very well before using them in to make chocolate coated dates.
FAQs
Stuffing dates with nuts or nut butter is so simple. If the dates are pitted, simply pry open the dates in the center (lengthwise) add the nuts or nut butter and close the date before covering in chocolate. For pitted dates, slice the center of the date lengthwise, gently remove the pit, stuff the date, close the date and cover in chocolate.
Yes, dates are a great source of calcium, iron, magnesium, niacin, potassium, copper and vitamins B6 and K.
When stored in the fridge, the chocolate dipped dates last about 3 - 4 days in the fridge.
Wax paper is the best surface to dry chocolate covered fruits, nuts, crackers, etc.
Dates can stay fresh in the fridge for up to 6 months. The moisture level of the dates does decline the longer they are stored.
More Easy Date Recipes
If you try this Chocolate Covered Dates recipe please rate the recipe and leave a comment below. Doing so helps other readers decide if this is a great recipe to bake. Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram using @olivesnthyme so I can see what you’re baking! Happy Baking! - M
Chocolate Covered Dates Recipe
Equipment
- 1 small baking sheet or large plate
- 1 sheet wax paper or parchment paper
- 1 microwave safe bowl
- 1 fork or spoon
Ingredients
- 20 pitted Medjool dates
- 12 oz. dark, semi sweet or milk chocolate
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
Instructions
- Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or wax paper and set aside for now.
- If the dates are not pitted, slice the center of the date lengthwise, gently remove the pit. If you would like to stuff the dates with nuts or nut butter, gently pry open the dates in the center (lengthwise), add the 1 - 2 nuts or ½ teaspoon nut butter inside each date and close the date. Repeat for all the date and set aside for now.20 pitted Medjool dates
- Pour the dark, milk or white chocolate and coconut oil (if using) into a large microwave safe bowl. Heat in 30 second increments in the microwave until the chocolate is fully melted. Stir the chocolate in between each increment.12 oz. dark, semi sweet or milk chocolate , 1 teaspoon coconut oil
- Add one date at a time into the melted chocolate. Make sure the entire date is coated in the melted chocolate. Place the chocolate coated dates onto the prepared baking sheet. Top with your preferred toppings as soon as the date is set on the lined baking sheet or plate. Repeat the chocolate coating and topping process until all the dates are coated in the chocolate.
- Chill the dipped chocolate dates in the fridge for about an hour or in the freezer for about 30 - 45 minutes or until the chocolate has harden.
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