How to Make Chocolate-Covered Dates
Updated: Mar. 13, 2023
If you love sweets but try to eat healthy(ish), chocolate-covered dates are the perfect dessert—and they couldn't be easier to make.
As someone who tries to eat healthy more often than not, fruit is a regular part of my diet. When chocolate-covered dates became popular on TikTok, I realized that dates were one of the few fruits I hadn’t tried yet.
As someone who also has a hard time turning down dessert, dipping a new-to-me fruit in chocolate seemed like the perfect way for me to try dates for the first time. Since making chocolate-covered dates, I’ve come to love plenty of other date recipes—but chocolate-covered dates will always have a place in my heart (and my fridge). Here’s how to make the chocolaty recipe that will get you hooked on this wrinkled fresh fruit.
Chocolate-Covered Dates Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 pitted Medjool dates
- 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
- 4 ounces dark chocolate baking bar (60% cacao), chopped
- Sea salt, optional
Directions
Step 1: Fill the dates
Cut a lengthwise slit down the center of each date. Fill with peanut butter using a small spoon.
Step 2: Dip the dates in chocolate
Melt the chocolate in a microwave. Use a long toothpick to skewer a stuffed date, then dip it into the chocolate, allowing the excess to drip off. Place the chocolate-covered date on a wax paper-lined baking sheet and remove the toothpick. Repeat with all the dates.
Step 3: Add sea salt
If desired, sprinkle the chocolate-covered stuffed dates with sea salt.
Step 4: Refrigerate and serve
Refrigerate for 5 to 10 minutes or until set. Store any dates you don’t eat right away in an airtight container.
Tips for Making Chocolate-Covered Dates
How do you melt the chocolate?
There are several ways to melt chocolate. We chose the microwave for this recipe to keep it simple, but you can do it on the stove or with a double boiler if you prefer. You can also swap out the dark chocolate for semisweet chocolate, milk chocolate or even white chocolate. They’ll all go nicely with the dates and peanut butter.
How else can you dip the stuffed dates in chocolate?
If you don’t have long toothpicks to use as skewers, you can use a fork to dip the dates in the melted chocolate. Allow the excess chocolate to drip through the prongs of the fork before putting the dates on the wax paper.
What else can you stuff inside chocolate-covered dates?
You can make Snickers-inspired dates by stuffing each date with a whole almond, or the chopped nut of your choice. You could also use chunky peanut butter instead of creamy (just be sure to check out our picks for the best peanut butter first.) If almond or cashew butter is all you have on hand, you could use those as well.
What other toppings can you put on chocolate-covered dates?
Instead of the sea salt, top the dates with chopped nuts or shredded coconut. If you want to dress up the dates, drizzle another type of melted chocolate on top. For a holiday snack, pick colored white chocolate that matches the occasion.
How do you store chocolate-covered dates?
Store chocolate-covered dates in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 to 3 days. If you want them to last longer, you can store them in the fridge for up to a week, or in the freezer for even longer than that. Just know that they’ll be a little bit tougher to chew—but just as sweet.
More Chocolate-Covered Fruits
Originally Published: January 19, 2023
