Chocolate covered Dates with Almonds

These chocolate covered dates with almonds are a favourite with everyone and so simple to put together. They are a simple and delicious snack that we have made for Ramadan for the past 10 years! They’re also ideal as finger food and for serving as part of a party table on special occasions. They make great gifts too. We usually gift them in small jars with ribbons. 

Chocolate covered Dates with Almonds

If you have never had dates coated in chocolate and stuffed with almonds you have been missing out! They're a firm Ramadan/Holiday favourite  that can be made in advance.

Medjool dates are gorgeously soft, sweet, caramel like and sticky. They pair beautifully with chocolate and almonds.

You only need 3 ingredients to make them and they are also vegan (if you use a vegan chocolate) and gluten free too! In this recipe soft pitted medjoul dates are dipped in chocolate and eaten by hand. They are stuffed with almonds.

I make a huge variety of chocolate dates  as can be seen below and the almond ones as well as the ones stuffed with peanut butter are always the most popular.

Are Chocolate Dates Healthy?

Yes they are super healthy. Packed with fibre, protein and nutrients they are a snack that can be enjoyed completely guilt free.

The ingredients in this recipe are all pretty healthy -  dark chocolate, dates and nuts. All 3 are healthy and great to eat as part of a balanced diet.

Where Can I Buy Medjool Dates?

We tend to be able to find dates all year around in the UK but they are more popular around Ramadan and Christmas as people do gift them. There are a huge variety of Dates available but Medjool are the best variety.

Can I Make Chocolate Dates Without Nuts?

Yes you can stuff the Dates with Seeds, chocolate chips or leave them plain. 

Do Medjool Dates go bad?

Dates actually last a very long time.

If stored correctly (in the fridge), they will last up to a year. Just keep checking them and discard if mouldy. 

Ingredients in Chocolate covered Dates with Almonds

Dates - Medjool Dates are soft, sweet and sticky. They taste caramel like and are great in this recipe.

Almonds - Either one large almond or 2 small Almonds fit into the cavity of the pitted dates. You can also add some flaked or chopped nuts on top.

Dark or Milk chocolate - I like to use a mixture of both or one that is 70% Cocoa.

How to make them

Melt the chopped chocolate - either in the microwave or in a bowl set over a pot of simmering water (make sure the water does not touch the bottom of the bowl). Stir until fully melted.

Pit the dates by cutting down the middle with a sharp knife and removing the stone. 

Add an Almond to the centre of the date and continue to fill all of the dates in the same way.

Add the dates in the bowl of melted chocolate then use 1 fork or 2 forks to lift the dates out, letting the excess chocolate drip back into the bowl.  Remove date to a lined plate. Leave to set for 30 minutes. 

Tips for the best Chocolate Dates

Medjool Dates - If you can’t find Medjool Dates, use a soft, large and plump date.

Nuts - Use your favourite Nuts in this recipe. Roasted, salted Nuts work very well. 

Chocolate Dates - Place Chocolate dates on a plate with baking paper on it, otherwise the chocolate will stick to the plate. 

Salt - Serve with a sprinkling of salt. This brings out the natural sweetness of the dates and chocolate.

Make the Chocolate Dates in stages - First pit the dates, then add the almonds and then coat in chocolate. It makes it easier to do it as an assembly line rather then trying to make one chocolate date at a time.

Melting Chocolate - Melt the chocolate over a low heat and make sure the bowl does not touch the water in the pot. If making in the microwave, do it in 20 - 30 seconds bursts. 

Toppings - If adding toppings, add them whilst the chocolate is still warm and hasn’t set. 

Variations

This recipe is endlessly adaptable. You can try a variety of stuffings and toppings. 

For stuffings why not try - 

Chocolate Chips

Peanut Butter

Nutella

Caramel

Almond Butter

Roasted Nuts

Hazlenuts

For Toppings - 

Chopped Nuts

Sprinkles

Caramel

For Chocolate - 

Milk or White Chocolate work equally well.

Our Favourite Chocolate Date Fillings and Toppings

Nutella and Hazelnut 

Hazelnut with ¼ teaspoon nutella in the middle of the date. Close the date. Dip into the dark/milk chocolate mixture and top with a hazelnut.

Ginger and Chocolate 

 Small piece of stem ginger in the middle of the date. Close the date. Dip into the dark/milk choc and top with a piece of stem ginger.

Salted chai caramel and walnut (for 25 dates) 

Bring the kettle to a boil and add a tea bag to a cup with a pinch of cinnamon, cardamom, ginger. Add just enough water to cover it and set aside. Combine 30g butter, 25g light brown sugar in a pan and allow to melt. Remove from the heat and stir in 30ml cream. Strain the tea and add to the pan. Add a pinch of sea salt flakes. Set aside. Once cooled and thicker, add walnut to the middle of the date and close. Dip in milk/dark chocolate mixture and top with a walnut. using a tablespoon, spoon over the caramel mixture.

White chocolate, pistachio and dried rose petals 

Add a pistachio and a milky bar button into the middle the date, Close the date and dip in white chocolate, top with crushed pistachios and dried rose petals.

Sesame seeds and Tahini 

Put a ¼ teaspoon tahini into the middle of the date. Close the date and dip in dark/milk chocolate, Top with sesame seeds.

Coconut and marshmallow 

Place a mini marshmallow in the date. Close the date and dip in either the milk and dark chocolate mix or the white chocolate. Top with desiccated coconut.

Peanut butter 

Place a salted peanut in the date and add some Peanut Butter. Close the date and dip in dark/milk chocolate mixture. Place a peanut on top.

Almond 

Place an almond in the middle of the date. Close the date and dip in milk/dark chocolate. Add ground almonds to the top.

Storage

Store dates in a metal container at room temperature (if it isn’t warm where you are), or in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 10 days.

More Recipes using Dates - 

Barley Porridge, Talbina with grilled Honey Dates

Orange and Date Scones

Date and Peanut Butter Balls

Nabeez/Nabidh - An energising Sehri drink for Ramadan

Oaty Date and Honey Flapjacks

Fudgy in the middle chocolate, oats and date bars

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