Almond Butter Stuffed Chocolate Covered Dates

If you are looking for a dessert recipe that is not only delicious, but also nutrient dense, these chocolate covered dates are for you. Plus, you only need three ingredients to make this recipe and the preparation is easy and fast.

What kind of dates should you use?

You will typically find two kinds of dates in the grocery store. Medjool dates and deglet noor dates. Then both have a similar flavor, but medjool dates are a little larger and tougher, while deglet noor dates are smaller and a little softer.

Personally, I use deglet noor dates for a few different reasons. First, they are cheaper. I got the ones I used at Trader Joe’s and they were about $3, while the medjool dates were $5. This isn’t a huge difference for some, but it sure was for me!

Secondly, they make for a larger date to chocolate ratio, and boy am I a fan of chocolate (this is of course personal preference). In the end, choose the date that you enjoy more. There won’t be a huge difference in the final product, so it really doesn’t matter in the end.

Do I have to use almond butter?

Use any nut butter you prefer. Personally, I love the taste almond butter provides, but this recipe would work with any kind of nut butter, as long as it is thick enough to stay in the middle of the date. 

I like Barney Butter personally. I get the smooth version of the almond butter and it’s perfect for this recipe. It’s nice and thick and sticks to the dates nicely. When choosing a nut butter, I would recommend getting a smooth version. 

Some other nut butters that I think would be good (granted I have not tested any of these out) are peanut butter, sunflower seed butter, cashew butter, cookie butter or hazelnut butter. If you try any of these out, please let me know!

The ingredients you will need for chocolate covered dates

You will need the following simple ingredients to make this divine recipe:

1. Dates
2. Semi sweet chocolate chips
3. Almond butter (or nut butter of choice)

There really isn’t too much room for substitutions here (with exception of the nut butter). You will absolutely need to use dates and chocolate. If you are allergic to dairy or have lactose intolerance, there are plenty of chocolate chips out there that are dairy free.

Steps to make chocolate covered dates

Step 1: Cut dates in half and lay out flat.

Step 2: Using a knife, scoop about one teaspoon of almond butter into each date. Wrap the date around the almond butter.

Step 3: Line bowl or mug with parchment paper. Melt ½ cup of chocolate chips in the microwave in one minute intervals. It should take 1-2 minutes to melt completely.

Step 4: Cover dates with a thin layer of melted chocolate and place on a parchment lined cookie sheet.

Step 5: Place cookie sheet in the freezer for at least 1 hour. Enjoy or keep in the freezer until ready to eat.

Are chocolate covered dates healthy?

It definitely depends on your definition of healthy, but when it comes to nutrient density, yes! This chocolate covered dates recipe is a nutrient dense dessert option. 

Dates are a great source of potassium and fiber, chocolate is a good source of iron and almond butter is a good source of vitamin e and healthy unsaturated fats. Put them all together and you have a delicious little ball of nutrients.

As for the chocolate, while it is high in saturated fat, a large percentage of this fat comes from stearic acid, which hasn’t been shown to increase LDL cholesterol or risk of cardiovascular disease. Some studies even show a decrease in risk with chocolate.

Compared to traditional desserts, these treats have more nutrients and are also lower in added sugars. Plus, they are very filling (in my experience at least) due to their high fat content. 

How should you store chocolate covered dates?

These babies are best stored in the freezer. Once hardened, store them in airtight containers and separate each layer with parchment paper to avoid them sticking together. Then just stick them back into the freezer for later.

Topping ideas to make them even better

You can also add a ton of awesome topping to these chocolate covered dates to make them even better. Personally, I think they are incredible by themselves, but if you are looking to switch it up or want some variety, there are absolutely some modifications you can make.

If you want to add toppings, I recommend adding them right after dipping the dates into the chocolate so they stick really well. If you add them after freezing, they likely won’t stick and will just fall off. 

Here are some topping ideas that I think would work really well. Just a note – I haven’t tried any of these personally so I cannot guarantee they will taste good, but I can’t imagine they wouldn’t:

• Crushed or chopped nuts
• Coconut shavings
• Lemon or orange rinds
• Powdered sugar
• Sea salt
• Caramel drizzle
• White chocolate drizzle
• Rainbow or chocolate sprinkles
• Crushed up dried fruit
• Crushed up peppermint stick
• Marshmallow

You can also add some extra inside the date alongside the almond butter. Some suggestions might be fruit, along with any of the toppings listed above.

Did you try this recipe?

If you tried out this recipe, I want to know! Tag me on Instagram or TikTok @tasteitwithtia. I want to see and share all of your creations. Plus, please let me know if you liked the recipe and what changes you think would make the recipe better.

I really appreciate all the feedback, plus it really helps my business and blog grow. If you have any other questions or concerns about anything, please feel free to reach out to me. You can reach me through social media direct message, though I’m better at answering if you email me at contactme@tasteitwithtia.com.