Chocolate Covered Dates

These chocolate covered dates may look impressive but they’re shockingly easy to make! With an almond-stuffed center and cinnamon-spiced dark chocolate, they strike the perfect balance of sweet, savory, sticky, crunchy, and delicious.

The idea for this chocolate covered dates recipe came to me at a Middle Eastern grocery store. I spotted a rather pricey box and almost splurged, but when I got to the checkout I decided to make them myself. The homemade version did not disappoint! Not only were they more affordable, the dates were fresher and more tender.

The intensity of the spiced dark chocolate, combined with the melt-in-your mouth sweet dates makes them beyond delicious. This rather healthy treat has the sweet-savory-nutty vibes of my Date Bars with Chocolate & Tahini, but are even easier to make. They’re a great option for a gluten-free dessert. And, depending on the kind of chocolate you use, this recipe is easily vegan.

Table of Contents

1. What You Need to Make Chocolate-Covered Dates 
2. How to Make Chocolate-Covered Dates
3. What to Serve with Chocolate Covered Dates
4. More Date Dessert Recipes
5. Chocolate Covered Dates Recipe

What You Need to Make Chocolate-Covered Dates 

You only need 6 ingredients to make this chocolate-covered dates recipe: dates, almonds, chocolate, olive oil, ground cinnamon, and pistachios. Here are some tips on what to buy or substitute:

• Dates: I prefer Medjool dates, as they’re perfectly soft but not overly so. Their large size is also ideal for stuffing. You could make this recipe with other large dried fruits like figs or apricots.
• Roasted almonds: Roasting enhances the almonds’ flavor and softens them. Feel free to buy pre-roasted, but avoid the salted or seasoned variety as it will likely be too salty. Walnuts, pistachios, or hazelnuts are also great options.  
• Chocolate: I like the balance of semisweet chocolate with the sweetness of the dates, but feel free to use the chocolate you like most. 
• Extra virgin olive oil: Enriches the chocolate mixture and gives the chocolate colored dates a beautiful sheen. Use a high-quality extra virgin variety for the best flavor. 
• Ground cinnamon: Adds a warming, aromatic element. Allspice can work in its place.
• Crushed almonds and pistachios add a satisfying textural variety and make the dates that much prettier. I love pistachios’ pop of green, but any crushed nut of your choice will work. 

How to Make Chocolate-Covered Dates

Gently melting chocolate over simmering water is the best way to make chocolate covered dates (rather than the microwave, which can scorch the chocolate). Here are the steps:  

• Get ready. Line a large sheet tray with parchment paper. Add 2-ish inches of water to large pot and bring to a simmer over medium heat. In a small bowl, toss together 1 tablespoon each of crushed almonds and pistachios and set aside.
• Stuff the dates. Cut a slit in each date (I made 24) and remove the pit. Press an almond in place of each pit. Enclose the dates to completely cover the almonds. 
• Melt the chocolate. Set a heat-safe bowl over the simmering water so it’s balanced in the pot without touching the water. To the bowl, add 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1 teaspoon olive oil, and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Stir regularly until the chocolate is completely melted. Remove from the heat.
• Cover the dates with chocolate. Drop each date in the melted chocolate, one at a time, and roll gently to coat. Remove with a spoon and carefully set on the prepared sheet tray. Continue until you’ve covered all the dates, then sprinkle each lightly with the crushed almonds and pistachios.
• Chill. Chill in the freezer for about 1 hour, or until the chocolate hardens. 
• Finish and serve. Remove from the freezer and allow to sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving. Or, if you’re not serving right away, transfer to an airtight container and store in your refrigerator for up to 1 week.

What to Serve with Chocolate Covered Dates

Having chocolate-covered dates in your refrigerator is such a handy trick. Need an afternoon pick-me-up? Enjoy one with an espresso or cup of black tea. Looking for a dinner party dessert or a great addition to a holiday cookie tray? Serve these dates alongside other bite-sized treats, like candied orange peels or ricotta-stuffed apricots. 

More Date Dessert Recipes

Desserts

Date Bars with Chocolate & Tahini

Desserts

Date Cookies with Pistachios

Breakfast

Tahini Date Shake

Lebanese

Maamoul (Date Filled Cookies)

Browse all Mediterranean recipes. 

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*This post has recently been updated with new information for readers’ benefit.