These chocolate covered almond butter stuffed dates are a delicious and healthy treat or snack any time of day. They’re made with just four nutrient-dense ingredients — dates, almond butter, dark chocolate and coconut oil — and take less than 10 minutes to make. So easy!
Nut butters and dark chocolate were just made for each other, am I right? Add a chewy medjool date to the mix to add a caramel-like texture, and you’ve pretty much found my version of heaven.
Anyone else get this excited about food? Just me?
The only other thing that could get me this excited is the fact that each ingredient in this snack/sweet treat is a nutrition powerhouse. Meaning, not only are these chocolate covered almond butter stuffed dates insanely delicious, but they’re also oh-so-good for you and they provide your body with nutrition, which is exactly what we want.
Here are the details on the nutrition:
Medjool dates
Medjool dates are rich in important minerals like magnesium and potassium and are an excellent source of fiber, which of course we know is beneficial for digestive health. They’re a great source of natural energy. Plus, they taste like caramel!
Almond butter
Almond butter is loaded with vitamins, minerals and fiber, and it also contains some protein. It’s high in monounsaturated fat, which are the same kind of healthy fats that are found in olives and avocados. I try to always add a little bit of healthy fats and/or protein to carbohydrates to help lower the glycemic load and help stabilize my blood sugar. I prefer the taste of crunchy almond butter in these stuffed dates (Trader Joe’s unsalted crunchy almond butter is my favorite), but any nut butter that has a thicker texture should work, if you’d like to use something other than almond butter.
Dark chocolate
Good quality dark chocolate with a higher percentage of cacao (around 70% or more) contains a good amount of fiber and is also loaded with those important minerals. Dark chocolate even contains antioxidants which we know helps to fight inflammation in the body, and it contains other compounds that can help to improve mood and bring on feelings of calm. Chocolate is my favorite superfood!
Coconut oil
Coconut oil contains medium chain fatty acids that, when eaten in moderation, can provide energy for the body.
If you make these Chocolate Covered Almond Butter Stuffed Dates, be sure to leave a star rating and a comment below letting me know what you think! Your feedback is so helpful for me and other visitors to my blog.
Looking for more healthy snacks and sweet treats? Try these:
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Crisps
- Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Dark Chocolate Brownies With Tahini Drizzle
- Cinnamon Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Chocolate Covered Almond Butter Stuffed Dates (Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Vegan)
Ingredients
- 8 medjool dates
- 1/4 cup almond butter or other nut butter of choice
- 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1 tsp coconut oil
- Optional toppings of choice: shredded unsweetened coconut flakes, cacao nibs, sea salt flakes, chopped nuts
Instructions
- Prepare the pan or plate where you'll place the dates once they're covered in chocolate. I like to cover a sheet pan or large plate with a sheet of parchment paper. You can also place a wire cooling rack over your parchment covered sheet pan or plate, to keep the chocolate from spreading around each date after you dip it into the chocolate. The wire cooling rack isn't necessary; just a parchment covered pan or plate will still work fine.
- Make a slit lengthways in each date, just enough to remove the pit. Don't cut the date on both sides; after you remove the pit, you want the date to look like a little pouch that you'll stuff with almond butter.
- Stuff each date with about 1/2 Tbsp almond butter.
- Place the dark chocolate chips and coconut oil in a small pan and turn on the heat to medium. Melt the chocolate and oil, stirring constantly to keep it from burning. This will only take a minute or so. Remove the pan from the heat.
- Using two forks or other utensils, dip each date in the chocolate/coconut oil mixture until covered, then place on the parchment paper covered baking sheet, plate or wire cooling rack. Once you've covered all the dates in chocolate, place them into the freezer for just a couple of minutes, or into the refrigerator for about 7 or 8 minutes.
- Remove the dates from the freezer or refrigerator and top each date with toppings of your choice. Do this before the chocolate on your dates sets up fully.
- Place the dates back into the freezer for about 20 minutes, or into the refrigerator for 30-40 minutes, until the chocolate has set up fully and hardened.
- Store the dates in a covered container in the refrigerator for about a week, or longer in the freezer.
Nutrition
Perfect snack! And so easy to make!!
Aren’t they the BEST?! So happy you love them Jennifer!
My second time making these stuffed dates..My husband absolutely LOVED them the first time & came home w/more dates because he really wanted me to make more lol.. Who knew healthy could be soooo delicious?!!!
Yes, I completely agree! These dates are definitely a crowd pleaser for every kind of eater…what’s not to love?! 😉
Oh my… are these heavenly! The perfect snack for when I’m craving something sweet, and the best part is I don’t feel guilty for eating them. So easy to make and the dates really give a “caramel” like consistency. I cannot recommend enough!
I’m so happy you love them, Mary! They are truly one of my favorite treats as well 🙂