Name: Easy Stuffed Dates with Peanut Butter and Chocolate
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 12 Medjool Dates, pitted (If your dates contain pits, split them on one side, lengthwise, with a knife and pull out the pit. ); ¼ cup Natural Creamy Peanut Butter, Unsweetened; 40 g Semi-Sweet Dark Chocolate (Broken into large chunks if using a chocolate bar. ); 1 tbsp Honey; ¼ tsp Flaked Salt; 1 tbsp Chopped Dark Chocolate

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

*This post contains affiliate links in which I make a small commission at no cost to you if you make a purchase through the link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Introduction

Stuffed dates with peanut butter and chocolate are a delicious treat packed with healthy fats and simple ingredients. This easy date recipe requires only a few real food ingredients and makes a perfect healthy snack. These chewy dates are sure to satisfy your sweet craving and can be made in less than 20 minutes.

There are 6 stuffed dates with peanut butter and chocolate lined up in a zig zag formation going from the front to the back of the picture. They are sitting on a background of crumpled parchment paper. Each date is sprinkled with flaky sea salt and chopped chocolate, some of which has spilled on the parchment paper.

The Ingredients

Medjool Dates

Medjool dates are the main ingredient of this easy dessert. This sweet fruit has a caramel-like flavor and is packed with natural sugars. This makes them a great sugar substitute in dessert recipes and are a popular ingredient in no bake desserts. Originating in the Middle East, the popularity of dates has increased over time and they are now consumed in cuisines all around the world.

Another great benefit of dates is that they are actually low on the glycemic index despite their natural sweetness. This means that they are less likely to cause major spikes in blood sugars after eating them.

Medjool dates can be found in the produce section of most grocery stores. Although medjool dates are the best dates for this recipe, you can also use deglet noor dates. This variety of date is often found in the dried fruit section of the grocery store and is usually easier to find. Deglet dates are dryer than medjool dates and are typically smaller. The results will be similar, but medjool dates will result in a moister texture.

Dark Chocolate

Use a rich dark chocolate for this recipe. The bitter dark chocolate flavor stands up well against the rich peanut butter and sweet dates, creating a delightful contrast. I like to use dairy-free chocolate chips or the Trader Joe’s pound plus chocolate bars.

Peanut Butter

This recipe calls for smooth, natural peanut butter. You can use crunchy peanut butter as well if you want an extra crunch from the chopped peanuts.

Honey

The honey provides natural sweetness and the flavor complements the peanut butter and chocolate. I highly recommend not skipping or substituting this ingredient.

Toppings

Use a small amount of chopped, excess chocolate to sprinkle over the top of each date. You can also top the dates with a small sprinkle of flaky finishing salt, which adds a nice pop of color against the rich chocolate color.

How to Make Stuffed Dates with Peanut Butter and Chocolate

Prep the Pan

Line a 9×13 inch baking sheet with parchment paper. The parchment paper is optional, but makes clean up a lot easier and prevents the dates from sticking to the sheet pan. You can also make these on a regular dinner plate or whatever you have on hand that can fit in the freezer.

Prep the Dates

Open the pitted dates so the two halves are connected but exposed. Lay them out on the baking sheet so they are ready to be filled with the sweet and creamy filling.

If your dates are not already pre-pitted, use a sharp knife to make a single cut lengthwise down the pit. Open the date and pull out the pit and continue with the rest of the recipe.

open pitted dates lined up in four columns and three rows on a white background.

Make the Chocolate Peanut Butter Filling

Place the chocolate chunks in a small, microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds, then remove from the microwave. Your chocolate will not be completely melted at this point, which is okay. Next, you are going to add the creamy peanut butter and microwave for another 15 seconds. At this point the peanut butter will be warm and melted and will mix well into the melted chocolate. Now, all you have to do is add the honey and mix everything together until smooth.

There is a white bowl that contains semi-melted chocolate. There is a measuring cup pouring peanut butter into the bowl. In the background are several pitted dates lined up.

One of the great things about this recipe is that the chocolate and peanut butter filling is made in the microwave. You can, however, make the filling on the stove by melting the chocolate and peanut butter in a double boiler. You can also place a heat-safe glass bowl over a small saucepan that contains about an inch of water and heat the chocolate over low heat until it melts. It is very important that you make sure you use a heat-safe bowl, otherwise it could break when heated.

There is a white bowl that contains melted peanut butter and chocolate. There is a small measuring that is pouring the honey into the mixture. In the bowl, there is a green rubber spatula.

Fill the Dates

Use a small spoon to divide the chocolate and peanut butter filling among each date. You should have enough filling for 12 dates.

There are three rows of pitted dates stuffed with melted peanut butter with chocolate

Add the Garnish

The garnishes on these dates are completely optional but they do add an attractive finishing touch. You can top the dates with a sprinkle of flaky salt and chopped chocolate.

There are six stuffed dates with peanut butter and chocolate that are sprinkled with chopped chocolate and flaky salt on a white surface. Some of the salt and chocolate has spilled onto the surface.

Freeze the Dates

Freeze the dates for about 10 minutes to set the chocolate. Remove from the freezer and serve immediately. If you allow the dates to fully freeze, pull them out and let them sit at room temperature for 5 minutes before serving to soften up a little.

How to Store Chocolate Peanut Butter Dates

Store the dates in an airtight container in the freezer. They will last several months in the freezer and you can pull them out one at a time for a sweet treat, or prep them ahead of time to take to a party such as a Christmas work party.

Substitutions

Peanut Butter Substitutes

If you do not have peanut butter on hand, or cannot consume due to a peanut allergy, there are several great alternatives. You can use any nut butter substitute you have on hand. Seed-based butters are a great option for those with tree nut allergies.

Almond Butter
Cashew Butter
Sunflower Seed Butter

Dark Chocolate Substitutes

Dark chocolate can be substituted with semi-sweet chocolate, milk chocolate and even white chocolate. These varieties of chocolate are sweeter than chocolate so you may want to reduce the honey by 1 teaspoon if you don’t have much of a sweet tooth.

Honey Subsitutions

Honey adds a lot flavor to this recipe, however, if you do not have any on hand or are vegan, you can substitute 2 tsp of added sugar or use maple syrup. You can also leave out the honey altogether. The honey adds a hint of extra sweetness and flavor, but these peanut butter chocolate dates are sweet and delicious on their own.

If you like this recipe, you might also enjoy:

The BEST Zesty Lemon Zucchini Muffins

Easy Chocolate Chip Banana Cookies