Chocolate covered dates stuffed with almonds are the perfect no-bake snack/dessert. Dates are stuffed with almonds then covered with luscious melted dark chocolate, very simple and delicious. An easy 20 minute vegan and gluten free dessert.
Try serving with Arabic coffee or cardamom tea, works great with both.
This treat here is very popular in the Middle East specially during the holy month of Ramadan. If you are into anything chocolate covered check out these cookie dough balls or the easy chocolate covered strawberries for your next project.
Table of contents
❓Why You'll Love This Recipe
Super easy no-bake recipe, no need for special baking skills. This candy like treat is healthier than many candies out there and with just 4 ingredients.
This is a very versatile recipe and can be adapted in so many ways that I am going to discuss with you. With step by step instructions, I am going to show you how to perfectly melt your chocolate.
📝 Recipe Ingredients
📋 Ingredient Notes
- You can use any chocolate you like, we've tried covering out dates with dark, milk and white chocolate. More about that in the tips section below.
- Traditionally almonds are used to stuff dates, but you can use any nut of choice.
- You can use Medjool, Deglet Noor or any type of dates you like.
🥄 Recipe Instructions
- Cut a slit in each date and remove the pit. Stuff with almonds/nuts and close the date over. Place all dates on a plate so they are ready to be covered when the chocolate is ready.
- Make a double boiler by filling a small pot with about an inch of water and bring to a simmer. Place a small heat proof bowl over the pot and make sure the bottom of the bowl is not touching the water. Add the chopped chocolate or chocolate chips and oil. As the bowl heat up the chocolate will start melting. Keep stirring with a rubber spatula so the chocolate melts evenly. Take the bowl out and wipe the bottom with a clean towel.
- Using two forks, put the dates in the melted chocolate, roll to cover.
- Take the date out and carefully shake off any excess chocolate.
- Place the covered date on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Allow them to set for 5 minutes on your counter and then pop them in the freezer for 10 minutes.
- If you chose to garnish with another chocolate then melt the decorating chocolate on a double boiler as before then drizzle over as a ribbon. Freeze for another 5 minutes to set completely.
💡 Recipe Expert Tips
- You can use whatever chocolate you like but we did not like it covered in white chocolate. Me and my husband liked the dark chocolate better while the kids liked the milk chocolate.
- Although dates are traditionally stuffed with almonds for this recipe, pecan and walnuts goes great with this recipe as well.
- You can also use a nut combination so you might try pistachios, hazelnuts.. etc.
- You might want to try using nut butter as well but in this case you will need to freeze the stuffed dates before you roll them in melted chocolate so the nut butter will not ooze out.
💬 Recipe FAQs
Of course you can, just be aware that it will leave a faint taste of coconut in the chocolate which is ok. I like using any neutral tasting oil.
Sure you can just like we did in the chocolate covered strawberries, be careful not to heat it up way too much.
🥫Storage
I prefer to refrigerate these dates so the chocolate gets firmer and eating them won't be messy. They also freeze very well and they keep for as long as your ingredients are good.
📣 More Recipes From the Blog
- Chocolate covered strawberries are one of the most amazing chocolate dipped fruits in my book.
- Have you ever tried Tanghulu, the Chinese winter fruit snack?. A crunchy candied fruit recipe that is like no other.
- If you like making candies, you will love this Lokum ( Turkish delight) recipe with step by step guide and tons of tips.
- Indulge in the ultimate chocolate-peanut butter treat with these rich and creamy buckeye balls. Made with a smooth peanut butter center coated in a layer of chocolate, these bite-sized treats are sure to be a hit.
More Recipes with Dates
- Maamoul is a traditional Middle Eastern cookie made usually filled with date. It has a soft texture and a delicate flavor.
Chocodate - chocolate covered dates
Ingredients
- 3 oz (80gm) high quality dark chocolate.*
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil.
- 24 Dates .
- 24 almond pieces.
Optional
- For more decoration
- ¼ cup white chocolate chips.
- ¼ teaspoon vegetable oil.
Instructions
- Make a double broiler by filling a small pot with about an inch of water and bring to a simmer.
- Place a small bowl over the pot and make sure the bottom of the bowl is not touching the water.
- Add the chocolate chunks and the oil and let that melt slowly stirring constantly.
- Cut a slit in each date and remove the pit. Stuff with almonds/nuts and close the date over.
- Using two forks, drop the dates in the melted chocolate, roll to cover, then take the date out and carefully shake off any excess chocolate.
- Place them on a parchment lined baking sheet. Allow them to set for 5 minutes on your counter and then pop them in the freezer for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile prepare your garnish by melting the white chocolate with the oil again over a double broiler.
- Take the chocodate out and garnish with ribbons of white chocolate, pop again in the freezer for more 5 minutes to set completely.
Video
Notes
- You can use whatever chocolate you like but we did not like it covered in white chocolate. Me and my husband liked the dark chocolate better while the kids liked the milk chocolate.
- Although dates are traditionally stuffed with almonds for this recipe, pecan and walnuts goes great with this recipe as well.
- You can also use a nut combination so you might try pistachios, hazelnuts.. etc.
- You might want to try using nut butter as well but in this case you will need to freeze the stuffed dates before you roll them in melted chocolate so the nut butter will not ooze out.
- These work great with Arabic coffee or cardamom tea.
- Please check the nutrition disclaimer policy.
Nutrition
Sign up and learn more about Mediterranean flavors
First published May 27, 2016 . Last updated March 29, 2021 with important tips, clear step by step instructions and readability.
Would you like to save this post?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Juls
Salaam and Ramadan Mubarak Amira! I love your blog! so many wonderful recipes n easy to follow instructions. I made these for my family today for when we break our fast. They are all very excited to eat them:) I never made them before nd it was a lot of fun! We usually eat our tamer with basissa. This is a yummy n fun alternative nd beautiful gift for friends too 🙂 JAK!
Amira
Thank you Juls for your sweet comment, Ramadan Mubarak to you too dear. I am so glad you liked them.
John / Kitchen Riffs
What a great way to serve dates! Terrific idea -- thanks.
Amira
Thanks John.
Shine jan
Can you please suggest me which chocolate to use and how much oil to mix because mine got sticky
Amira
Shin jan any chocolate will work even chocolate chips.Check out this link and this one too might help you.
Yumi
Hello I would like to make these chocodates for my Muslim college friend for Ramadan, they sound so delicious! I have never bought or eaten dates. Do you buy fresh dates or dates that come in a bag? Sorry I am not very knowledgeable about dates so I apologize if this is a stupid question!
Amira
Yumi, Thank you for such a sweet and thoughtful surprise for your friend. Dates are wonderful, sweet and full of nutrients, you should try them. I usually buy containers of Madjool dates from the farmer's market here like Sprouts. But there are also these big tubs or bags in Costco. Let me know if you need more assistance.
Jenna
Yum! I have never had a chocolate covered date but I feel like I am seriously missing out after reading your post!
Kaleigh @ Lively Table
These look delicious! I love dates!
Carissa
These look beautiful and yummy. I've never had dates before, but now I want to try them! Thanks for the recipe Amira, I will have to make them soon 🙂
Sasha @ Eat Love Eat
These look lovely! I have a box of medjool dates so I must give these a try!
Liz @ Ready to Yumble
Looks so easy and delicious! I always need those kind of snacks on hand!
Lynne Curry
These look so wonderful. I'm a huge fan of dates--but we don't usually have too many choices of types of dates in the U.S. Medjool is pretty much the one, so I'm glad to know it's a good one! So pretty and I'm sure your guests devour them. I would!
Amira
It is tasty , easy and healthier than most candies. Glad to find a dates fan like me
Yaseen Yusuf
Hi Amira, they are indeed very delicious, brilliant combination of the simplest ingredients. Would like to ask, what is the type of date you have used? As there are many types of date (too many) just intrigued to know which one you used and if you know which is the most popular date used in the U.A.E.
Thanks.
Yaseen
Amira
Yaseen, I've used Medjool dates as they are meaty and sweet so they are my favorite. I do not know about dates in UAE just use any kind that you love and not too difficult to handle. Thanks for your comment and keep coming back for more.
John/Kitchen Riffs
Chocodates are new to me. But I'm pretty clueless, so no wonder. 🙂 Love the idea! Dates are wonderful all by themselves, of course, but really like this. And I can see so many different directions you can take this recipe -- really versatile. Thanks!
Karen (Back Road Journal)
I used to own a chocolate shop and sold chocolate dates…yours are prettier with the white chocolate drizzle.
Evelyne CulturEatz
Dates are so good and versatile. A touch of sweetness in savory dishes and makes desserts that much better. And yeah way cheaper to do your own. I could make a few disappear in no time!
Gina Wane
Hello Amira,
This looks so delicious. I've made stuffed dates with marzipan, but never thought to cover them with chocolate! My husband is going to be tempted during Ramadan with Chocodates! He loved the Saffron/Cardamon cake from Dubai. He always asks me to make it for him. My father, a pastry chef for over 70 years was super impressed with that cake too! Alhamdulilah. God's blessing to you and your family.
Balvinder
That's wonderful treat for anytime but as you said it is especially make during Ramadan, I 'll pass it over to my friend.
Amira
Thanks dear, and yes I enjoy this anytime of the year specially in the morning with my cup of coffee :).