Peanut butter stuffed chocolate covered dates make the perfect gift for your friends or loved ones. This delicious and healthy snack is also vegan and gluten-free!
7 reasons to make chocolate covered dates
- Only 4 ingredients
- Easy recipe
- Quick preparation
- Perfect after-workout snack
- Quick energy booster
- Nutritious
- Impressive (yet easy to make) DIY Christmas gift
I am one of those people who need to snack on something throughout the day. The shop-bought snacks don’t always satisfy my cravings so I try to combine them with easy homemade snacks that keep my energy levels up and also taste good.
Fruity energy bars with dried apricots or no bake energy bars with seeds are easy to make and perfect for a quick energy boost.
But if you want to make something that also looks pretty (especially when planning on gifting someone) these chocolate-covered dates are it!
They are ready in no time so there is no excuse for not trying them. Even kids can help you make them!
What dates to use when making chocolate covered dates?
The most common varieties that you find in shops are Deglet Noor and Medjool dates. Medjool dates are large and quite expensive.
Deglet Noor dates are small and pretty affordable. You can see in the picture the difference.
Both varieties are perfect for making chocolate covered dates. It does not really matter which ones you use. You can see in the pictures I used both types.
My personal preference is the smaller ones simply because I like smaller portions. But like I’ve already mentioned it is entirely up to you.
How to make chocolate covered dates?
Fill each date with peanut butter. I only use about ½ teaspoon of peanut butter for small dates and ¾ teaspoon for large dates.
Place them on a tray/plate or chopping board and put them in the freezer for 15 minutes.
After, dip the dates in melted chocolate and transfer them onto a tray lined with baking parchment (or aluminum foil) or onto a wire rack (under which you also have aluminum foil or baking parchment).
If using the wire rack, just note that the chocolate will stick to the rack. This will make it harder to take the chocolate covered dates off it and some of the chocolate will come off as well.
Chill them in the fridge for 15-30 minutes or until the chocolate is set.
I like sprinkling them with dried lavender and drizzling some more melted chocolate over but this is completely optional.
What else can I sprinkle chocolate covered dates with?
There are many options and it depends on you. If you like coconut, go ahead and use dried coconut. Various nuts (almonds, pistachios, walnuts, hazelnuts) are also a great option if you don’t have a nut allergy. Just chop them finely and sprinkle over the chocolate.
Chia seeds can also be used. They have a neutral taste so they will provide a little crunchiness.
If you don’t want to sprinkle your dark chocolate covered dates with any of the above mentioned extras then you could just use salt flakes instead.
Freezer dried strawberry powder would give these dates a fancy look.
Useful tips
- I filled these chocolate covered dates with peanut butter with no added sugar but you don’t have to do it. It is entirely up to you. However, the large Medjool dates are pretty sweet so filling them with unsweetened peanut butter helps balance the sweetness.
- Make sure to use only edible dried lavender. The lavender adds a little flavor that works so well with chocolate.
- Those who are not fans of dark chocolate can use semi-sweet chocolate but I highly recommend giving this chocolate covered dates recipe a go. You might be surprised how well-balanced this snack is when it comes to flavors.
- I used a fork to help me cover the dates in chocolate but you can also use a skewer or toothpick. Just stick it inside the date and dip it in the chocolate.
- You could also try almond butter instead of peanut butter.
- Don’t use the freezer to speed up the setting process of chocolate, especially when you want to gift them to someone. The chocolate will start “sweating” at room temperature.
Peanut Butter Stuffed Chocolate Covered Dates
Ingredients
- 12 dates , pitted (see note 1)
- 4 tablespoons peanut butter , see note 2
- 7 ounces dark chocolate , 70% cocoa content (200 grams)
- dried lavender , few sprigs, (optional), see note 3
Instructions
- Fill each date with peanut butter. I only use about ½ teaspoon of peanut butter for small dates and ¾-1 teaspoon for large dates. Place them on a tray/plate and put them in the freezer for 10-15 minutes (See note 5).
- Meanwhile: Finely chop the chocolate and set aside. Place a sheet of baking parchment paper over a chopping board large enough to hold a wire rack (See note 6).
- Melt the chocolate over a pot of simmering water (double boiler). Dip each date in the melted chocolate and transfer onto a wire rack (or aluminum foil or baking parchment).
- Optional: Sprinkle with dried edible lavender.
- Chill them in the fridge for 30 minutes or until the chocolate is set.
- Optional: Drizzle the chocolate covered dates with melted chocolate (use either a fork or Ziploc bag).
- Enjoy!
Notes
- Dates – Medjool dates or Deglet Noor can be used. This will depend on your preference/budget. If you decide to go for the smaller ones (Deglet Noor), double the amount of dates or half the amount of chocolate.
- Peanut Butter – use any type you like – creamy or crunchy. I used 4 tablespoons of peanut butter to fill 12 Medjool dates. Now take this amount as guidance only as you might add more or less, depending on your taste or the size of the dates.
- Dried Lavender – make sure to buy the edible one if you decide to use it. Lavender can be easily substituted with crushed nuts or dried coconut.
- This recipe is naturally vegan and gluten-free.
- This step (freezing) can be omitted if you use thick peanut butter but chilling helps the chocolate stick better to the date so it is recommended.
- You can omit the wire rack and use only a chopping board/small baking tray lined with baking paper or aluminum foil.
- Best stored in an air-tight container in the fridge.
- The overall preparation time does not include the time needed for chilling the dates count with 10-15 minutes for the freezer + 30 minutes for the fridge. If you want to gift them to someone, leave them in the fridge longer to make sure the chocolate is completely set.
rebecca says
what a great flavor combination! and the lavender on top! yum!
Julia | Happy Foods Tube says
Thank you, Rebecca!
Luci Cook says
This looks so yummy. It an unusual combo but it works because of the sweet and saltiness.
Julia | Happy Foods Tube says
Thanks!
Elaine Benoit says
Man, oh, MAN, do these look perfect. My hubby loves dates and he’s going to go ga-ga over these. I too will have to sacrifice and eat a bunch. You know, just to keep him company! ;)
Julia | Happy Foods Tube says
Enjoy! :)
Lisa Huff says
Loving the color the lavender gives to these cuties! Such a great gift idea!
Julia | Happy Foods Tube says
It’s the perfect gift for healthy foodies :)
Iryna says
What a beautiful treat! And I love the sprinkling of lavender! I’m pretty sure my kids would gobble a few of those right up!
Julia | Happy Foods Tube says
Thanks, Iryna!
Natalie says
This is such a healthy delicious treat!
Arnold says
I made this for my dance group and had very positive feedback. One person commented how she loved the different textures as you bit through, going from the hard chocolate, to the softer date and finally the peanut butter.
Julia | Happy Foods Tube says
That’s excellent, Arnold! Thanks so much for the positive feedback and star rating. We love these and I make them quite often so it’s always good to hear when our readers enjoy our recipes too!
Melissa says
Do you use fresh dates or dried in this recipe?
Julia | Happy Foods Tube says
Hi Melissa. You will need dried dates.
Jignaysha Patel says
Love this incredible and so easy to make recipe!!! I didn’t have dark chocolate on hand so had to substitute milk chocolate. I was worried they would turn out too sweet but my housemates loved them and devoured them in one siting :-) Thank you xx
Julia | Happy Foods Tube says
Thanks so much for your feedback!
Chenee says
I love this idea! I love peanut butter and chocolate and I love that these are vegan and gluten free!
Julia | Happy Foods Tube says
This is my most favorite snack and dessert as well, Chenee. It’s so good and I would say it’s best when sprinkled with the lavender. I also think they are more delicious enjoyed right from the freezer. So good :)
Priya says
Hi! How far ahead can I make these? – will they last a week if stored in an airtight container in the fridge?
I’m looking to make these as one of the desserts with some filling variations for my Papa’s 80th birthday party. One will be similar to your filling, and then other will be cream cheese, orange and pistachio filling coated in white chocolate and pistachios. Thanks :-)
Julia | Happy Foods Tube says
Hi Riya. Yes, these will last a week without a problem. However, I have no idea how long the ones with cream cheese can last. I would guess only a day or two because of the cream cheese there. Hope this helps.
Priya says
Thanks Julia! I’ve decided not to coat in chocolate on this particular occasion, but will definitely be trying it in the future. Cheers, Priya.
Julia | Happy Foods Tube says
No problem, Priya! :)
Sahar says
How many days will they last without refrigeration??
As I want to courier them to another country??
Is it possible?
Julia | Happy Foods Tube says
I am not sure, Sahar. I did send them once to my family but because of traveling through many countries, they did lose their nice color and were covered in a white film (this is due to change of temperatures – cold, warm). If you live in a cold climate and the delivery time is short (a few days), then you might be ok. In a warm climate, I would not. As for the shelf life: I would suggest they could hold up to 1 (maybe 2 weeks) when covered well in chocolate (to seal the dates and peanut butter filling) but again, it will depend on the conditions of delivery and climate. Hope this helps.
Jessica says
What is the serving size? I was a bit confused by the post. It is one date for 196 calories or multiple?
Thanks!
Julia | Happy Foods Tube says
Hi Jessica. Sorry for the late reply. I’ve just seen your question. Yes, it is about 196 calories per 1 large Medjool date. If you use the small dates (Deglet Noor), they will have somewhere between 60-90 calories per piece. This snack/treat is also the perfect substitution for energy bars. Hope this helps.
Audrey says
Delicious! How do I stop the dates from melting too quickly once I put them on the table? Thanks :)
Julia | Happy Foods Tube says
Hi Audrey. You would have to temper the chocolate (which can be tricky). Tempered chocolate does not melt. You could keep them in the freezer (I do this all the time) and take them out right before serving. They will not melt so quickly, but expect a condensation on their surface. I personally like them when still half frozen. Hope this helps.