Chocolate Covered Dates Recipe

This chocolate covered dates recipe is quick and easy to make. They’re a simple and delicious finger food dessert. These chocolate dates are perfect for special occasions and also make great homemade gifts.

What to serve with these chocolate covered dates

If you’re making these dates for a party and would like another simple chocolate covered treat to add to the dessert table, try these chocolate covered pineapple rings. They’re easy to prepare and perfect for entertaining.

Six chocolate covered dates on a white plate.

Key ingredients

There are many different varieties of dates and all of them will work well in this chocolate covered dates recipe, but I’m partial to Medjool dates. Medjool dates are big and sweet with a delicious caramel-like flavor. If you can’t find Medjool dates then you can use Deglet Noor dates or any other type of date you can find.

Since Medjool dates are naturally so sweet, I opted to cover them in a variety of dark chocolate that isn’t very sweet, is quite low in refined sugar, and is very high in cacao solids (I chose a chocolate bar containing 90% cacao solids). Any kind of chocolate will work, so use whatever type suits your diet and palate.

Optional toppings for these chocolate dipped dates include freshly grated orange zest (my personal favorite), finely chopped pecans, peanuts, walnuts, or pistachios. Shredded coconut or a sprinkling of flaky sea salt are delicious toppings too.

How to make these chocolate dates

These chocolate dipped dates are easy to make. Start by removing the pits from the dates if they’re not already pitted. Next you’ll add the chopped chocolate to a microwave-safe bowl and heat at 20 second increments, stirring afterwards, until melted (alternatively you can melt the chocolate in a pot on the stove set to low heat, stirring constantly until melted, then immediately remove the pot from the heat).

Melted chocolate dripping off a spoon.

Next you’ll add a pitted date to the bowl of melted chocolate and gently stir to thoroughly coat it in chocolate. Use a fork to lift the date out of the chocolate, allowing any excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl, then place it on a large plate or sheet pan lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Immediately sprinkle on whatever toppings you like, then repeat this process with the rest of the dates.

Chocolate dates drying on a piece of parchment paper.

Place the plate of chocolate dipped dates in the fridge for a minimum of 45 minutes to harden before serving.

Optional fillings

For added flavor and crunch, place a nut such as a toasted pecan or almond inside the date (right where the pit would have been) before coating it with chocolate. Or stuff the dates with peanut butter, almond butter, or cashew butter before coating them in the melted chocolate.

Nut-free option

For a nut-free version of these chocolate coated dates, add a sprinkling of pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds to achieve a similar crunch and flavor contrast.

Giving these chocolate dipped dates as gifts

These dates are perfect for gifting. Place them in a paper gift box, tin, or cellophane bag. Then add a pretty ribbon and label tag. When giving these chocolate dates as gifts, it’s nice to use several different toppings, as if they were a box of assorted chocolates.

Storage

Store these chocolate covered dates in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

Chocolate dates on a plate.

More chocolate covered treat recipes

  • These chocolate covered figs are a simple and delicious treat. They’re quick and easy to prepare.
  • These blackberries are formed into cute little chocolaty clusters. They’re sweet, juicy, and delicious.
  • These chocolate walnuts are an easy, elegant addition to any dessert table. They also make great homemade gifts.
Six chocolate covered dates on a white plate.
4.67 from 18 votes
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Chocolate Covered Dates Recipe

This chocolate covered dates recipe is quick and easy to make. These chocolate dates are a simple and delicious finger food dessert. They're perfect for parties and also make great homemade gifts.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 12 minutes
Cook Time 2 minutes
Chilling time 45 minutes
Total Time 59 minutes
Servings 7
Calories 245.1kcal

Equipment

  • Parchment paper or silicone baking mat

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cups chopped dark chocolate (or substitute chocolate chips or any type of chocolate you prefer)
  • 14 Medjool dates (or substitute any other type of date you prefer)
  • optional toppings: freshly grated orange zest, finely chopped nuts, shredded coconut, or flaky sea salt.

Instructions

  • Remove the pits from the dates (if not already pitted).
  • Add the chopped chocolate to a microwave safe bowl and heat at 20 second increments, stirring after each time, until melted (alternatively you can melt the chocolate in a pot on the stove set to low heat, stirring constantly until melted, then immediately remove the pot from the heat.
  • Add a date to the bowl of melted chocolate and gently stir to thoroughly coat it in chocolate.
  • Use a fork to lift the date out of the chocolate, allowing any excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl, then place it on a large plate or sheet pan lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
  • Immediately sprinkle on any toppings, if desired.
  • Repeat steps 2-4 with the rest of the dates.
  • Chill the chocolate dipped dates in the fridge for a minimum of 30 minutes to allow the chocolate coating to dry and harden.

Notes

  • To reduce the amount of added sugar in this chocolate covered dates recipe, choose a variety of dark chocolate that contains a high percentage of cacao solids (the brand I used contains 90% cacao solids).
  • Store these chocolate dates in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

Nutrition

Serving: 2Dates | Calories: 245.1kcal | Carbohydrates: 44.6g | Protein: 2.3g | Fat: 8.1g | Saturated Fat: 4.6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2.4g | Cholesterol: 0.6mg | Sodium: 4.2mg | Potassium: 468.1mg | Fiber: 5.3g | Sugar: 36.4g | Vitamin A: 78.8IU | Calcium: 44.4mg | Iron: 2.7mg

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