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
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.
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Chocolate Covered Dates
Ingredients
- 24 Medjool dates (about 14 ounces)
- 24 unsalted roasted almonds
- 1 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (about 9 ounces)
- 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon crushed almonds
- 1 tablespoon crushed pistachios
Instructions
- Get ready. Line a large sheet tray with parchment paper. Add a couple of inches of water to large pot and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Stuff the dates. Cut a slit in each date 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 heatsafe bowl over the simmering water so it’s balanced in the pot without touching the water. To the bowl, add the chocolate chips, olive oil, and 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 of 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.
Notes
- Visit our shop to browse quality Mediterranean ingredients including olive oils, honey, jams, and spices.
Nutrition
*This post has recently been updated with new information for readers’ benefit.
Excellent recipe and very easy to make. Not worried about storage as they disappeared right away!
Thanks, Glenn!
Have been making a very similar recipe for nearly fifty years now. I make my own almond paste (not marzipan as I find it far too sweet) and use that to replace the pit. Started off as a present for my grandparents. Then evolved into my children doing this super easy recipe as a present for their grandparents! Only ever do it for Christmas, which makes it a real treat.
That sounds delicious! Thank you for sharing, Susan!
Delicious. How long will they store in airtight container in fridge?
Hi, Betty! A few days or so would be fine. Hard to say exactly, for sure, as they disappear pretty quickly in my home, LOL.
can i use white chocolate compound
Sure!
Hi, I am intending to use these chocolate covered dates to place in gift boxes as Raman gifts. Just a quick question how to keep the chocolate from melting. I stay in a tropical country and its very hot here.
HI Aarti. I am not familiar with the temperatures where you are. If you like, refrigerate the chocolate boxes in advance, and perhaps place the boxes in a portable cooler as you distribute them.
Hi what can i use as substitute for canola oil
A lighter olive oil or sunflower oil will work.
Its a great recipe Thank you and can we use salted almonds? And is it durable ? if yes. How long.. ?
Thank you! Yes, I believe salted almonds will work here providing a nice contrast to the sweet chocolate! What I do to keep these a few days, simply pack them in a container with a tight lid and refrigerate. Take them out a few minutes before you serve.
I am working as a chef at a retreat venue and made these the other night for dessert for our guests. Holy Moly! Not only did the guests love them, but these little treats were so easy to make! This is such a great recipe!
Hi Megan, thanks so much for stopping by and for sharing! So glad to hear this recipe worked out well for you and your guests!!!
So delicious!
Great! So glad you liked it
Lovely! I wonder how long in advance can you make these? How would you store them until they are eaten? Has anyone tried using white or milk chocolate Ghirardelli Candy Making & Dipping Wafers? I cannot wait to make these!
I have prepared these in advance before…a couple nights or so would be fine. In my case, I stored them in a container that has a nice tight lid and put them in the fridge. About 20 mins or so before serving, I took them out of the fridge and assembled them in my serving bowl. Hope this helps!
I have not tried them with wafers…but why not?!
Enjoy!
All I can say is YUM??
I’m making these tasty treats foresure!!!
Awesome, Debbie! Hope you love them!
Wow, these look amazing and I bet are totally delicious too!
These chocolate covered dates sound fantastic! Love a nice simple, sweet tooth satisfying recipe like this 🙂
I have never thought to try chocolate covered dates. I am sure it is wonderful and your presentation makes it look very enticing!
These are addictive, Peter! Thanks so much for stopping in.
These dates bring back a funny memory. I have always loved dates and when I was 8 or 9 I went along with my parents to a wedding and they served gorgeous medjool dates and they’d been lightly drizzled with chocolate. I parked myself right next to the bowl and at the first opportunity (meaning my mother wasn’t looking) I took one off the side of the plate.
Into my mouth it went and then I was stuck. I felt something hard and assumed it was the pit. I didn’t dare swallow it and I couldn’t take it out so I hid it between my teeth and gum. My mother noticed I had a lump and I said I had a toothache.
It just got worse until my brother took a date and said, “Oh, it’s got an almond inside.”
My toothache got better instantly. 🙂
Anyway, I love your dates.
Maureen, I laughed so hard reading your story! Thank you for making my day, friend. XO
Gosh, these look so good! Where do you find the whole dates? I’ve only had date nut bread (a gift), but loved the date taste. Pinned. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Mary! Medjool dates are available in a lot of grocery stores now. I have found them at Whole Foods and at Costco as well!