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Home » Recipes » Desserts » Stuffed Dates with Peanut Butter & Chocolate

Stuffed Dates with Peanut Butter & Chocolate

Published: Mar 27, 2023 Modified: Aug 30, 2023 by Elizabeth · 24 Comments

These chocolate covered dates with peanut butter are the perfect healthy snack and take just minutes to make. Naturally vegan.

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Dates with peanut butter and sea salt.

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 simple 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.

Dates halves and filled with peanut butter, covered in chocolate.

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

Bowls of ingredients: dates, cacao powder, coconut oil, sea salt and peanut butter.

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.

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.

Dates sliced open arranged on a baking tray.

3) Spoon just under 1 teaspoon of peanut butter into the middle of each.

Dates stuffed with peanut butter on a baking tray.

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.)

Bowl of melted chocolate.

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.

Dates stuffed with peanut butter and drizzled with chocolate on a baking tray.

6) Refrigerate until chocolate has hardened (about 20 minutes).

Check out my web story showing you how to make these peanut butter stuffed dates.

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.

Stuffed dates with peanut butter and chocolate on a plate.

FAQs

Are dates with peanut butter healthy?

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.

What are the best nut butters to eat with dates?

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.

Stuffed dates with peanut butter, chocolate drizzle and sea salt flakes.

Check out my reel showing you how to make these Stuffed Dates with Peanut Butter & Chocolate!

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Stuffed dates with peanut butter, chocolate drizzle and sea salt flakes.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
5 from 122 votes

Stuffed Dates with Peanut Butter & Chocolate

These dates with peanut butter and chocolate are the perfect healthy snack and take just minutes to make. Naturally vegan, refined sugar free and gluten free.
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Total Time10 minutes mins
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: comfort food, gluten-free, healthy, vegan
Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Servings: 20 stuffed dates
Calories per serving: 87kcal
Author: Elizabeth Emery

Special Equipment

  • Baking tray

Ingredients

  • 20 medjool dates
  • â…“ 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).
Tried this recipe?Leave a rating above and mention @vancouverwithlove or tag #vancouverwithlove on Instagram!

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

Calories: 87kcal | Carbohydrates: 10.8g | Protein: 1.7g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2.9g | Sodium: 20mg | Potassium: 55mg | Fiber: 1.5g | Sugar: 8.5g | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 1mg

If you’ve tried this dates with peanut butter & chocolate 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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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Natalie

    August 17, 2019 at 10:09 am

    5 stars
    Such a great vegan treat! Can't wait to make these!

    Reply
    • Elizabeth

      August 20, 2019 at 8:53 pm

      Yay! Let me know how it goes. So glad you like the look of them. 🙂

      Reply
    • Candice

      February 02, 2021 at 10:20 pm

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
      • Elizabeth

        February 04, 2021 at 12:54 am

        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!

  2. Amy

    September 16, 2020 at 11:31 am

    5 stars
    Amazing recipe! delicious. thank you!

    Reply
    • Elizabeth

      September 21, 2020 at 5:06 pm

      So glad you like it Amy! It's one of my favourites - so simple yet so satisfying. 🙂

      Reply
  3. Jennifer

    November 02, 2020 at 12:05 pm

    Can’t wait to try these, how long will they keep for?

    Reply
    • Elizabeth

      November 02, 2020 at 6:22 pm

      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). 🙂

      Reply
  4. Sarah

    April 27, 2021 at 6:42 pm

    5 stars
    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! ?

    Reply
    • Elizabeth

      April 27, 2021 at 7:18 pm

      I'm so glad you like them Sarah! I'm with you - they never last long 🙂

      Reply
  5. Dana M

    January 04, 2022 at 5:50 am

    5 stars
    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. ?

    Reply
    • Elizabeth

      January 31, 2022 at 10:34 pm

      That is a GENIUS idea! I never thought of doing it that way. Thanks for the tip! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Amy Liu Dong

    July 26, 2022 at 11:30 pm

    5 stars
    Oh my gosh, this is so delicious!
    I will try this at home, and I am sure my family will love this!

    Reply
    • Elizabeth

      August 02, 2022 at 9:47 pm

      I really hope you and they love it Amy!

      Reply
  7. Karen

    March 29, 2023 at 4:15 pm

    5 stars
    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 🙂

    Reply
    • Elizabeth

      March 30, 2023 at 10:11 pm

      Oh fantastic! I'm so glad they were a hit Karen, thank you for telling me. 🙂

      Reply
  8. Lindsay Howerton-Hastings

    March 29, 2023 at 5:25 pm

    5 stars
    These are SO yummy and a really fun addition to our meal prep routine!

    Reply
    • Elizabeth

      March 30, 2023 at 10:12 pm

      So glad you like them Lindsay - I agree, I think they're great for meal prep!

      Reply
  9. Marcellina

    March 29, 2023 at 10:03 pm

    5 stars
    I usually stuff dates with walnuts so this is a great variation! I mean with chocolate and peanut butter, it can only be amazing!

    Reply
    • Elizabeth

      March 30, 2023 at 10:12 pm

      Ooh I haven't tried walnuts - I must give them a go!

      Reply
  10. Oscar

    March 29, 2023 at 10:43 pm

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply
    • Elizabeth

      March 30, 2023 at 10:12 pm

      So glad you liked them Oscar! Thank you for the lovely comment. 🙂

      Reply
  11. Helen at the Lazy Gastronome

    March 29, 2023 at 10:57 pm

    5 stars
    Really yummy treats. We took them on a road trip for a snack.

    Reply
    • Elizabeth

      March 30, 2023 at 10:13 pm

      Oh lovely! so glad you enjoyed them Helen - perfect road-tripping food. 🙂

      Reply

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