This is a variation of our dark chocolate covered fruit bites base recipe. These dark chocolate covered date bites are a great midday pick-me-up or a tasty after-dinner sweet treat. This recipe uses ingredients that are sweet, salty, and creamy – all important elements of a satisfying treat!
Must-Know Cooking Skill
For recipe success, learn how to:
Culinary Tips for Tasty Date Bites
There are a lot of recipes for peanut butter stuffed chocolate covered dates out there, but we like this variation because we think it’s easier to control the amount of nut butter in the recipe.
Before you begin blending, be sure that your dates are pitted! The pits can damage blender blades or your teeth!
The date mixture gets pretty sticky, so you may have to wash your hands a few times between rolling the fruit bites. Using a portion scoop also helps keep your hands a little cleaner.
If the chocolate starts to solidify while dipping the fruit bites, simply reheat it in the microwave for ~30 seconds.
If using a microwave to melt the chocolate, heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each round of heating to prevent burning.
Sprinkle the date bites with flaky sea salt while the chocolate is still warm, otherwise it won’t stick.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Dates: use either regular or Medjool dates, but note that Medjool dates are stickier and sweeter. Or substitute any dried fruit of your choice. What fruits are good dipped in chocolate? Any kind that you like! Chocolate covered figs, prunes, apricots, blueberries, cherries, mangos, pineapples, and raisins are all delicious options.
- Sunflower Seed Butter: substitute any nut or seed butter of your choice – almond, cashew, peanut, pecan, walnut, etc. Choose natural varieties with as few ingredients as possible (i.e. just nuts and salt).
- Dark Chocolate: use dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips or chunks for best flavor and nutrition. We don’t recommend using milk or white chocolate, as these are not generally healthy options. You could, however, use them as a decorative drizzle on top.
Recipe Variations
Feel free to add more of your favorite ingredients mixed in with the dried fruit or sprinkled on top. Coconut flakes, chia seeds, ground flax seeds, cocoa powder, and cinnamon would all be delicious additions.
Don’t like salty with your sweet? Simply leave off the sea salt at the end!
Want a vegan chocolate covered dates recipe? Use vegan chocolate chips!
Need some chocolate covered fruit recipe inspiration?
Use our base recipe as a guide to make it your own, or check out some of our favorite chocolate fruit bite variations!
Equipment Recommendations
We recommend using a food processor for this recipe, although a high speed blender may also work. Use a rubber spatula to scrape down the sides of the blender as you go.
A portion scoop is a great alternative to a tablespoon measure that can be used to portion the fruit mixture, and will leave your hands a little cleaner.
For an environmentally friendly option, consider using a reusable silicon baking mat instead of parchment or wax paper.
Is dark chocolate covered fruit good for you?
For sure! We are big dark chocolate fans here at To Taste, so this recipe is a great way to incorporate that love of chocolate with some healthy fat, fiber, and protein. The featured ingredients in this recipe are dates, sunflower seed butter, and dark chocolate.
Dates
Dates contain carbohydrates, vitamins, and antioxidants. The sugar in most dried fruit is naturally occurring and is paired with fiber and other plant compounds, making it a healthier option than refined sugars and sweets. (1)
Sunflower Seed Butter
Sunflower butter contains plant-based protein and healthy fats. These nutrients help you feel satisfied. Choose natural versions with as few ingredients as possible (i.e. just seeds and salt). Sunflower seed butter is also allergy-friendly making this a classroom-safe snack!
Dark Chocolate
Cocoa is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The darker, the better. You will receive the most nutritional benefits by consuming dark chocolate with more than 70% cocoa solids.
Serving Suggestions
Serve chocolate covered date bites as a tasty after-dinner treat, or as a midday pick-me-up! The protein, fat, and fiber will help keep you full and satisfied.
Storage Tips
Store dark chocolate covered date bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week for best quality.
You may also store them in the freezer for up to one month; however, texture and flavor might be slightly affected after thawing.
Want more healthy snack recipes?
Try out these other base recipes, then have fun customizing them to your taste!
Dark Chocolate Covered Date Bites
Ingredients
- 14 ounces pitted dried dates
- 2 Tablespoons sunflower seed butter
- 2 Tablespoons water
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips
- Flaky sea salt
Instructions
- In a food processor, combine dates, sunflower seed butter, and water. Process until smooth, scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula as needed.
- Using a spoon or portion scoop, scoop mixture into your hands and roll into 1-inch balls. Place on a baking sheet or cutting board lined with parchment/wax paper or a silicon baking mat.
- Melt chocolate over low heat in a small saucepan or microwave in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals (stirring between each).
- Using a fork, dip date bites in melted chocolate. Let excess chocolate drip back into the bowl, then place back on a lined baking sheet or cutting board.
- Sprinkle chocolate-covered date bites with flaky sea salt. Place in refrigerator until chocolate is set (~30 minutes). Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Enjoy!
This Post Has 4 Comments
Absolutely delicious, love this recipe. I mixed in a few figs this time but will definitely try it with some other variations. Thanks for this simple, and yes a bit messy (worth it though) recipe.
So happy to hear you love it! Way to adjust the recipe to your taste! And we agree – the mess is worth it. 😉
Have now made this 4 times – every time we run out my kids ask for more! We keep them in the freezer and they are such a great treat – thank you!
That is awesome! Love when kids enjoy our recipes 🙂 Great idea on putting them in the freezer – I’m going to try that myself!