Indulge your sweet tooth with a healthier treat with these easy-to-make chocolate dates. Filled with chocolate almond butter fudge, dipped in chocolate and topped with crushed almonds, these bite-sized treats are perfect any time of day!

If you love a sweet treat in the afternoon, then you’ll love these chocolate dates. Soft and chewy, with a satisfying caramel-like sweetness, they’re an irresistible sweet treat that’s perfect any time of day and a healthier alternative to a candy bar.
They take just minutes to make and keep well in the fridge for when you need a quick treat. Make a batch on the weekend and they’ll be ready to reach for when you feel the need for a little something sweet.

Chocolate Dates
Chocolate covered dates are an easy, wholesome snack that takes just minutes to make. Sweet, buttery dates are filled with a rich chocolate almond butter filling then dipped in dark chocolate and sprinkled with crushed almonds. The bite-sized treats have a satisfying chew and richness that are sure to satisfy even your strongest chocolate cravings. Enjoy them as a snack or dessert, even kids love them! Here’s what you’ll need to make them:
Ingredient Notes:
(Here are a few notes about the ingredients you’ll need for this recipe. As always find the full list of ingredients and directions in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.)
- Dates – Sweet and chewy Medjool dates are my favorite for these chocolate dates but you can also use other dates if you’d prefer, just make sure they are soft. Save yourself time and buy pitted dates if possible.
- Nut Butter – I’ve gone for almond butter but feel free to use the nut butter of your choice or swap it out for sunflower seed butter for a nut-free option.
- Cocoa Powder – Use your favorite good quality cocoa powder.
- Maple Syrup – You’ll need a bit of maple syrup to sweeten the chocolate almond butter filling. Choose a light flavored maple syrup for the best results.
- Chocolate – I’m using dark chocolate but you can use any chocolate you’d like to dip the dates in. Use a dairy-free/vegan chocolate if needed.
- Coconut Oil – You can use either refined or un-refined coconut oil. You only need a small amount for the chocolate coating.
- Chopped Nuts – You’ll need chopped almonds or the nuts/seeds of your choice for the topping.

How to Make Dates Covered with Chocolate:
(Here are the basic steps and some helpful tips on how to make the recipe. Find the full directions in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.)
- Start by mixing together the almond butter, cocoa powder and maple syrup to make the chocolate almond filling.
- Press a spoonful of the filling into the center of each date and press close.
- Melt together the chocolate and coconut oil and dip each date into the chocolate.
- Sprinkle the tops with the chopped almonds and place into the fridge to harden.
- Store the dates in the fridge and enjoy cold or place at room temperature for a few minutes before serving.
Variations:
- Use deglet noor or other dates instead of Medjool.
- Use the unsweetened nut butter of your choice or substitute with sunflower seed butter for a nut-free version.
- Top with the nuts/seeds or your choice or use mini chocolate chips, shredded coconut or crushed freeze-dried berries.
More Date Recipes:

Chocolate Dates
These sweet, chewy, and caramel-like treats are not only easy to prepare but also keep well in the fridge. Ready for whenever a chocolate craving strikes!
Ingredients
- ¼ cup + 2 Tablespoon/96g almond butter
- ¼ cup/60ml maple syrup
- 3 Tablespoons/15g cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of fine sea salt
- 18 Medjool dates, pitted
- 6 ounces/170g dark chocolate chips
- ½ teaspoon coconut oil
- ½ ounce/14g sliced almonds, lightly crushed
Instructions
- In a large bowl combine the almond butter and maple syrup and stir until smooth. Add in cocoa powder, vanilla extract and sea salt and stir to combine.
- Slice the dates lengthwise. Fill each date with a spoonful of the chocolate almond butter filling. Place filled dates in the fridge to firm for 30 minutes.
- Place the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a heat proof bowl set over a saucepan half filled with barely simmering water (making sure the bottom of the bowl doesn’t touch the water). Stir gently with a spatula until chips melt and the mixture is smooth. Remove bowl from heat.
- Place the filled dates on a parchment lined sheet pan and dip each in the melted chocolate using a pair of forks. Place the dates back onto the parchment paper and return to fridge to set.
- Keep dates in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to serve.
Notes
Variations:
- Use deglet noor or other dates instead of Medjool.
- Use the unsweetened nut butter of your choice or substitute with sunflower seed butter for a nut-free version.
- Top with the nuts/seeds or your choice or use mini chocolate chips, shredded coconut or crushed freeze-dried berries.
Storage:
Store chocolate dates in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks.
Dietary Info:
Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, Vegetarian, Vegan, Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, Paleo
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
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Enjoy Life Baking Chocolate Semi-Sweet Mega Chunks, Dairy Free, Soy Free, Nut Free, Non GMO, Gluten Free, Vegan Chocolate Chips, 10 oz bag
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Joolies Organic Pit-Free Medjool Dates | 9 Ounce Pouch | Pack of 2 | Fresh California Grown Fruit | Vegan, Gluten-Free, Paleo, No Sugar Added | Great Source of Fiber & Antioxidants
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
18Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 134Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 8mgCarbohydrates: 22gFiber: 3gSugar: 18gProtein: 2g
Nutritional information for recipes contained on this website, such as calories, fat, carbs, etc. are only estimates and are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Sylvie Shirazi is the recipe developer and food photographer behind Gourmande in the Kitchen. For the last 10 years she's been making eating more healthfully easy and accessible with gluten-free, grain-free, paleo and vegan recipes that are free from processed ingredients.
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