These chocolate covered dates are a deliciously decadent melt in your mouth candy like treat. They are perfect for a special occasion and are really nice wrapped up as a gift. Refined sugar free, but still incredibly sweet with the dates coated in sugar free dark chocolate. Ready in just 5 minutes, dates covered in chocolate are a real luxurious treat.
Just 2 ingredients (with optional toppings) are all you need to make chocolate dipped dates. Sweet, sticky and plump Medjool dates and sugar free rich dark chocolate. Melt the chocolate and dip the dates in - it's as simple as that. Chocolate dates is a sugar free treat that tastes really indulgent.
If you are looking for some more date recipes, they why not try our Peanut Butter Stuffed Dates recipe?
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Why you will love them
- Quick and easy - You need just 2 ingredients to make this chocolate dates recipe and they take less than 5 minutes to make.
- Can be made in advance - You can batch make these and keep them in the fridge or freezer for an easy sweet treat.
- Adaptable - You could keep the recipe as just the 2 ingredients, or you could adapt them with the additional toppings like we have.
- Easy for kids to make - Kids will love getting messy dipping them in chocolate.
Ingredients and substitutions
- Dates - You want to use Medjool dates for this recipe as they are large and they have the best flavor. Known as fruit of the kings, they have a caramel flavor and a chewy texture.
- Chocolate - These are dark chocolate covered dates, as the dates are so sweet, we wanted a more bitter chocolate to dip them in. We used a refined sugar free dark chocolate to keep this chocolate covered dates recipes sugar free.
A full ingredients list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
How to make Chocolate Covered Dates - Step by step
One: Slice the dates lengthways, but not all the way through. Remove and discard the stone.
Two: Melt the chocolate in a microwave. Put a fork into one end of a date and dip into the chocolate. Use a teaspoon to coat the whole date.
Three: Put the coated dates onto a lined tray and add toppings of your choice. Refrigerate for 30 minutes, or until the chocolate has hardened.
Health benefits of dates
Dates are high in sugar (natural sugar) and high in calories, so they should be eaten in moderation. Although, they are a great healthy way to gain weight if that is what you are looking to achieve. However, they have a lot of nutritional benefits.
Dates are a great source of fiber with almost 7 grams of fiber in a 3.5-ounce serving and have they have the potential to help with blood sugar regulation due to their low glycemic index, fiber, and antioxidants. Dates have also been studied for their potential to promote a natural labour.
Variations
This is a really simple recipe, so there isn't a lot that you can adapt. However, you could change the chocolate that is used. Any chocolate will work, but we think that dark chocolate works best. If you want a contrast of color, then drizzle some melted white chocolate over the dark.
For something a little extra, and to make these chocolate covered dates look more presentable, you could sprinkle over some crushed nuts or desiccated coconut.
Take these chocolate dates to the next level by stuffing them first. Stuff them with peanut, almond or cashew butter before dipping them in melted chocolate. For a nut free version, you could stuff them with tahini or a seed butter.
For something a little fresher, and some added flavor, you can add some grated orange zest. We love the combination of chocolate and orange.
Top tips
- Make sure to melt your chocolate for just 30 seconds at a time, so that it doesn't split.
- For a delicious sweet and salty combination, sprinkle the chocolate dipped dates with a little sea salt.
- Try to use a small deep bowl for melting the chocolate, as it will make it easier to dip the dates in.
- If your chocolate is thickening towards the end of dipping the dates, then you can put it back in the microwave for 30 seconds before carrying on with the rest of the dates.
- Put them in the fridge for a minimum of 30 minutes before serving.
- Dates are actually fresh, rather than dried, so you will find them in the fresh produce section of your grocery store.
- These make a great holiday gift. Put them into a cellophane bag and then tie some pretty ribbon around them. You could do a mixture of chocolate dipped dates and apricots and sprinkle them all with different toppings and put them in a nice box so they look like a box of chocolates.
- You don't have to melt the chocolate in the microwave. You can do it in a bowl over a pan of simmering water.
- If you are adding additional toppings, make sure to do this whilst the chocolate is still wet and it hasn't set yet.
- Look for fresh dates that are plump and have a nice glossy skin. They should be firm, but not hard. You will find them in the produce aisle with the fruit.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is just the natural sugar from the dates that has made its way to the outside of the date. Either wipe it off or leave it.
These are a super sweet treat and compared to store bought candy bars, they are much more nutritious. Add in the dark chocolate and they are full of anti-oxidants. Because they are naturally sweet, they don't give you the same sugar high and crash either.
We love to make a big batch of these, and luckily they store really well. Put them in an air tight container in the fridge and they will keep for up to a week.
Yes, these freeze really well and they make an amazing cold treat on a hot summers day. Put them on a tray and in the freezer for an hour to firm up. You can then transfer them to a freezer bag, where they will keep for up to 3 months. Then you can just grab them as and when you want one.
Yes, as long as you use vegan chocolate, then these can be vegan.
More sugar free recipes
If you’ve tried this chocolate covered dates recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
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Recipe
Chocolate Covered Dates
Ingredients
- 8 Medjool dates stones removed
- 0.5 cup Chocolate chips dark; sugar free
Instructions
- Slice 8 Medjool dates lengthways, but not all the way through. Remove and discard the stone.
- Melt 0.5 cup Chocolate chips in a microwave.
- Put a fork into one end of a date and dip into the chocolate. Use a teaspoon to coat the whole date.
- Put the coated dates onto a lined tray and add toppings of your choice. Refrigerate for 30 minutes, or until the chocolate has hardened.
Notes
- Make sure to melt your chocolate for just 30 seconds at a time, so that it doesn't split.
- For a delicious sweet and salty combination, sprinkle the chocolate dipped dates with a little sea salt.
- Try to use a small deep bowl for melting the chocolate, as it will make it easier to dip the dates in.
- If your chocolate is thickening towards the end of dipping the dates, then you can put it back in the microwave for 30 seconds before carrying on with the rest of the dates.
- Put them in the fridge for a minimum of 30 minutes before serving.
- Dates are actually fresh, rather than dried, so you will find them in the fresh produce section of your grocery store.
- These make a great holiday gift. Put them into a cellophane bag and then tie some pretty ribbon around them. You could do a mixture of chocolate dipped dates and apricots and sprinkle them all with different toppings and put them in a nice box so they look like a box of chocolates.
- You don't have to melt the chocolate in the microwave. You can do it in a bowl over a pan of simmering water.
- If you are adding additional toppings, make sure to do this whilst the chocolate is still wet and it hasn't set yet.
- Look for fresh dates that are plump and have a nice glossy skin. They should be firm, but not hard. You will find them in the produce aisle with the fruit.
Amy says
This recipe was so delicious! I love the double-sweet flavor!!! So good!
rebecca says
love easy 2 ingredient recipes. what a great sweet treat
Dee says
Absolutely love this recipe! It's a sweet treat without the guilt!
Gloria says
What a sweet tasty treat. These would be great on a dessert board.
Charla says
I love to snack on dates (medjool to be precise) but I have never thought about dipping them in chocolate, such a great idea. Thank you!