These chocolate covered dates are one of my favorite everyday healthy treats, yet they're elegant enough to serve as dessert. Coated in dark chocolate and filled with almond or peanut butter filling, they're far more than just a sweet bite. This healthy dessert with dates delivers real indulgence without feeling heavy or overly sweet. The real twist? An unexpected crunch that turns a simple recipe into something addictive.
Soft, chewy, creamy, crunchy.
All you have to do is take some Medjool dates, stuff them with roasted almonds or your favorite nut butter and dip them in dark chocolate. And here's the twist: feuilletine, chopped nuts (or even corn flakes) folded in the melted chocolate will turn these chocolate dates into something layered and truly memorable.
It's one of those date recipes that looks fancy, takes minutes, and disappears fast. Whether you call it dates and peanut butter, dates and chocolate, or just a dangerously good snack, this is a small recipe with big payoff.
If you love healthy desserts using dates, don't miss these chocolate truffles with dates and walnuts and this healthy Moist Date Cake (Sugar Free Recipe).
📋 Ingredient notes
To make this chocolate covered dates recipe, you'll need the following ingredients:
Dates: If you love the flavor of dates, choose the Medjool variety. They're large, soft, and give you a higher date-to-chocolate ratio. Their size also makes them ideal for stuffing with everything from whole almonds to nut butters or even desiccated coconut.
👉 If you prefer a more chocolate-forward bite, smaller dates such as Deglet Noor will give you a higher chocolate-to-date ratio. The downside is that they can only hold a very small amount of filling, usually just one almond or a (very) thin layer of nut butter.
If you want to dive deep into the date world, check this article: Deglet Noor Dates vs. Medjool Dates.
Chocolate: Dates are naturally very sweet, so dark chocolate with 54% cocoa or higher creates the right balance. I don't recommend milk chocolate here, as it makes the final result overly sweet.
Almonds: Roasted almonds are one of my favorite fillings because they add crunch and a deep, nutty flavor. That said, any nut works just as well.
Alternatively, you can fill the dates with nut butters such as peanut butter or almond butter. Desiccated coconut is another great option and creates a dessert that closely resembles a popular coconut-filled chocolate bar.
Coconut oil is optional but helps the chocolate melt smoothly and set more cleanly.
A small sprinkle of sea salt flakes is also optional but highly recommended, as it elevates the whole experience!
Finally, for extra texture, you can mix ng something crunchy such as feuilletine ↗️, chopped nuts or crushed cereal into the melted chocolate before dipping the dates. This simple step adds contrast and makes these chocolate covered dates genuinely irresistible!
For the list of ingredients with quantities, please see the recipe card ⬇️ at the end of this post.
👨🍳 Expert Tips
Follow these expert tips to make the best chocolate covered dates with almonds or peanut butter filling.
✅ Choose high quality dates, and if you use nut butter as filling, choose the Medjool variety that can hold more filling.
✅ Don't overfill them. Overstuffed dates leak nut butter and ruin the chocolate coating.
✅ Refrigerate the nut butter a few hours before making them, as this will make it stiffer and easier to work with.
✅ Add a little fat to the chocolate. Coconut oil helps the chocolate melt smoothly, coat evenly, and set with a better snap. Skip it only if you're properly tempering the chocolate.
🎥 Video
Watch a short video for how to make these dates with peanut butter or almond filling.
🎵 Music on Video: Outside, Musician: @iksonmusic
📖 Recipe
Chocolate covered dates with almond or peanut butter filling
Ingredients
- 9 (250 g) Medjool dates (see note#1)
- 18 roasted almonds (see note#2 for nut butters)
- 6.2 oz (175 g) dark chocolate (55% cocoa or more, chopped)
- 1 Tablespoon coconut oil (optional)
- 1 teaspoon sea salt flakes
Optional
- ½ cup feuilletine (or chopped nuts or crushed cereal)
Instructions
- Using a sharp knife, make a vertical slit in each date, and remove the pit.
- Stuff each date with 2-3 almonds or ½ teaspoon nut butter (such as peanut butter or almond butter).
- In a medium microwave-safe bowl, place the ⅔ of the dark chocolate and the coconut oil (if using). Microwave for 30 seconds, stir, and continue microwaving in 30-second bursts, until the chocolate is fully melted. Then, add the rest of the chopped chocolate and stir until fully melted.👉 This is an easy way to temper the chocolate.👉 If you want to add the feuilletine, add it in this step.
- Using a fork or chopsticks, dip each Medjool date into the dark chocolate, then tap a few times to allow the excess chocolate to fall back into the bowl, and place on a piece of parchment paper to set. Repeat with all the stuffed dates.Sprinkle each stuffed date with a few flakes of sea salt before the chocolate sets.
- Let them cool for at least 1 hour before serving. You can also refrigerate them.
Notes
Storage
How long do stuffed dates last? Stuffed dates will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 weeks, or 5-6 days at room temperature. I haven't tried freezing them so I can't say for sure, but online sources mention that they can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months.Similar recipes to try:
Nutrition
💭 FAQs
Chocolate-covered dates can be good for you in moderation, but they're not a health food. Dates provide fiber, minerals, and antioxidants, and dark chocolate (70%+) adds beneficial flavanols and healthy fats, making them more satisfying than regular candy. The catch is that they're calorie-dense and high in sugar, so portion size matters. One or two is plenty. Bottom line: they're better than processed sweets, worse than whole fruit, and work best as a controlled dessert or occasional treat, not a snack to eat freely.
🍳 More Recipes to Try
If you tried this chocolate covered dates recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you!
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