These chocolate covered dates with peanut butter are the perfect healthy snack and take just minutes to make. Naturally vegan.
Working from my apartment, I often get a major case of the mid-afternoon cravings. After making an easy work-from-home lunch, I always want something sweet, and too often reach for snacks that are less than healthy.
Whilst I have don't have a problem with anyone indulging, it's also nice to know you're eating foods that are nourishing your body and boosting your energy, not sending you into a sugar slump!
And these stuffed dates with peanut butter & chocolate are a nourishing treat. They're the perfect snack because not only do they satisfy that mid-afternoon craving, but the protein and fat actually boost your energy. Win!
This recipe uses a handful of healthy ingredients - dates, cacao, coconut oil and peanut butter. With a sprinkle of sea salt, they perfectly combine sweet and salty. So feel good about enjoying these as a mid-afternoon or post-dinner snack! I do.
Why you'll love these dates
• SO easy to make. It takes less than 10 minutes to make a whole batch - which is about the maximum time I want to spend making a snack.
• They're a healthy alternative to a snickers or chocolate bar! They taste indulgent but are nourishing, and way better for you than conventional chocolate bars. (If you're looking for something closer to a snickers, try my No-Bake Snickers Bars - seriously good!)
• Refined sugar-free. The DIY chocolate contains just cacao and coconut oil, so the only sweetener comes from the dates themselves. (Note: should you choose to use store-bought chocolate, there will be sugar in this unless you use 100% cacao).
Main Ingredients
Dates - I like using medjool dates as they're bigger and juicier than regular dates, but feel free to use regular if that's what you have (smaller dates can just be more fiddly). Adjust the quantity of peanut butter as needed if using smaller dates.
Peanut butter - I'd recommend using smooth rather than crunchy! I find it has a much nicer mouth feel.
Cacao powder - Forms the base of the DIY chocolate. Both cacao and cocoa powder work well. (Wondering what the difference is between cacao and cocoa? Cacao is raw cocoa powder; cocoa is the roasted, more common version.)
Coconut oil - This forms the creamy part of the chocolate, and helps it harden when cool. Coconut oil is a lot easier/quicker to work with than cacao butter, which is why we're using it here.
Substitutions
Chocolate - If you'd rather use store-bought chocolate than make your own, go ahead! I just recommend using a chocolate that isn't super sweet - the dates are sweet enough.
Nut butter - If you prefer to use another nut butter to peanut, feel free! Hazelnut, cashew and almond all taste delicious in dates. Feel free to use sunflower seed butter or tahini if you'd like a nut free version.
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How to make stuffed dates with peanut butter and chocolate
1) Line a large baking tray with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
2) Slice open each date and remove pit. Place on tray.
3) Spoon just under 1 teaspoon of peanut butter into the middle of each.
4) To make chocolate, add coconut oil to a small bowl and microwave for 30 seconds until melted, or melt in a double-boiler on the stove. Stir cacao powder into oil until completely mixed.
(Alternatively, if using pre-made chocolate, break into pieces and microwave for 30 seconds until melted.)
5) Allow chocolate to cool slightly and drizzle over dates (or dip dates in chocolate if you're feeling adventurous!). Optionally sprinkle with sea salt.
6) Refrigerate until chocolate has hardened (about 20 minutes).
How to store
These dates should be stored in the fridge. Due to the chocolate's coconut oil content, it will melt at room temperature so keep the dates cool! (Although refrigeration isn't necessary if using store-bought chocolate, I'd still recommend it for freshness.)
These dates can be frozen in an airtight container. Just let them thaw for a few minutes on the counter before eating.
FAQs
Yes. Dates with peanut butter are a whole food snack and contain lots of vitamins and minerals. They also contain protein and healthy fat to balance out the sugar in the dates and help you avoid a blood sugar crash. As with any indulgent treat, enjoy them in moderation.
Virtually all nut butters go really well with dates. Personally, in addition to peanut I like almond, cashew and hazelnut. Seed butters also work well.
Check out my reel showing you how to make these Stuffed Dates with Peanut Butter & Chocolate!
MORE QUICK SNACKS
Find more vegan, gluten free snacks here.
Stuffed Dates with Peanut Butter & Chocolate
Special Equipment
- Baking tray
Ingredients
- 20 medjool dates
- ⅓ cup peanut butter (80g) - may need slightly more if dates are large
- ¼ cup coconut oil (50g)
- ¼ cup cacao or cocoa powder (15g)
- Sea salt flakes
Alternative (instead of cacao & coconut oil)
- ½ cup dark chocolate or chocolate chips (70g)
Instructions
- Line a large baking tray with parchment paper (to ensure dates don't stick).
- Slice open each date and remove pit. Place on tray.
- Spoon just under 1 teaspoon of peanut butter into the middle of each.
- To make chocolate, add coconut oil to a small bowl and microwave for 30 seconds until melted, or melt in a double-boiler. Stir cacao powder into oil until completely mixed. (If using pre-made chocolate, break into pieces and microwave for 30 seconds until melted.)
- Allow chocolate to cool slightly and drizzle over dates (or dip dates in chocolate if you're feeling adventurous!). Optionally sprinkle with sea salt.
- Refrigerate until chocolate has hardened (about 20 minutes).
Notes
Substitutions:
Chocolate - If using store-bought chocolate, use one that isn't super sweet - the dates are sweet enough on their own! Nut butter - If you prefer to use another nut butter, feel free. Hazelnut, cashew and almond all taste delicious. Use sunflower seed butter or tahini if you'd like a nut free version.How to store:
These dates should be stored in the fridge. Due to the chocolate's coconut oil content, it will melt at room temperature so keep the dates cool! These dates can be frozen in an airtight container. Just let them thaw for a few minutes on the counter before eating.Nutrition per serving
If you’ve tried this recipe, please leave a comment or tip for others below. I'd love to know how you’ve made it your own!
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Natalie
Such a great vegan treat! Can't wait to make these!
Elizabeth
Yay! Let me know how it goes. So glad you like the look of them. 🙂
Candice
I love this recipe, thanks so much Elizabeth! As you say the choco mixture drfinately does not need extra sweetener. I didn't have coconut oil and substituted a little butter in its place, which worked perfectly (although they were no longer vegan!)
I will regularly make these ahead amd have them ready for sweet lunch treats. They were a hit!
Elizabeth
I'm so glad to hear it Candice! I love that you made your own substitutions and it sounds like they worked really well. 🙂 Yes, it's a great one to have in the fridge/freezer for when you 'need' sweet treats!
Amy
Amazing recipe! delicious. thank you!
Elizabeth
So glad you like it Amy! It's one of my favourites - so simple yet so satisfying. 🙂
Jennifer
Can’t wait to try these, how long will they keep for?
Elizabeth
If you keep them in the fridge, they'll last for at least 4-5 days. Probably longer but I've never managed to make them last that long! (You do need to keep them in the fridge though). 🙂
Sarah
These are an amazing treat and I love that they are naturally sweetened with the dates. I've tried this with other nut butters including almond and they're always so delicious and never last long! ?
Elizabeth
I'm so glad you like them Sarah! I'm with you - they never last long 🙂
Dana M
SO good.
If you buy the already pitted dates, you can do what I did and put your peanut butter in a piping bag, and with a small tip, pipe it directly into the date. Took me all of about 5 minutes. ?
Elizabeth
That is a GENIUS idea! I never thought of doing it that way. Thanks for the tip! 🙂
Amy Liu Dong
Oh my gosh, this is so delicious!
I will try this at home, and I am sure my family will love this!
Elizabeth
I really hope you and they love it Amy!
Karen
Delicious! These tasted just like Snickers, but better since they were fresh and homemade. My family has already requested I make them again. Thank you 🙂
Elizabeth
Oh fantastic! I'm so glad they were a hit Karen, thank you for telling me. 🙂
Lindsay Howerton-Hastings
These are SO yummy and a really fun addition to our meal prep routine!
Elizabeth
So glad you like them Lindsay - I agree, I think they're great for meal prep!
Marcellina
I usually stuff dates with walnuts so this is a great variation! I mean with chocolate and peanut butter, it can only be amazing!
Elizabeth
Ooh I haven't tried walnuts - I must give them a go!
Oscar
Oh yes, these were amazing. Chocolate and peanut butter is the best combo but stuffed into dates was over the top delicious. Thanks for the recipe.
Elizabeth
So glad you liked them Oscar! Thank you for the lovely comment. 🙂
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome
Really yummy treats. We took them on a road trip for a snack.
Elizabeth
Oh lovely! so glad you enjoyed them Helen - perfect road-tripping food. 🙂