Name: Peanut Butter Stuffed Dates
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 70 min
Ingredients: 6 medjool dates; ¼ cup peanut butter (of creamy or crunchy); ½ cup of vegan chocolate chips (melted); 1 tablespoon of chopped peanuts (for garnish (optional)); Pinch of sea salt (optional)

Sweet Medjool dates stuffed with creamy peanut butter encased in a crisp vegan chocolate layer sprinkled with nuts and sea salt. These Peanut Butter Stuffed Dates are sponsored by our friends at Sprouts and are enough to bring any chocolate-loving, sweets-addicted person scrambling for some! They are so easy to make using just 3 main ingredients (nuts and sea salt being optional). These simple, no-cook treats will be ready for chilling in just 10 minutes!

Homemade Peanut Butter Stuffed Dates

Since we loved our Pumpkin Stuffed Dates so much, we decided to make a non-seasonal version that can be enjoyed year-round! These heavenly bites are the stuff dreams are made of! Imagine biting into a crisp non-dairy chocolate coating embedded with crunchy nuts with pops of salt to find chewy dates and rich peanut butter inside. They contain healthy fats, protein, and antioxidants, making them perfect as all-day snacks and post-workout treats to give you that bout of sweetness and boost of energy when you need it.

This is the ideal treat to make with your kids as there are no complicated steps involved in making them, just pure fun! Also, you can easily customize them to fit any occasion. Add green sprinkles for St. Patrick's day, add crushed red candies for Valentine's day or wrap them in colorful foils for some egg hunting on Easter! Your imagination is the limit. You can place them in decorative jars or boxes as giveaways or gifts too.

Ingredients Needed

Main Ingredients

Medjool dates - Because of their natural sweetness, dates are known as "nature's candies." Medjool dates are ideal for this recipe because of their size and plumpness- perfect for stuffing! We used dates from Sprouts for this recipe.
Peanut butter – You can use creamy or crunchy peanut butter, whatever you prefer.
Vegan chocolate chips – Dark or semi-sweet vegan chocolate is best for this recipe to keep it from being too sweet. They will be melted for dipping and then hardened into a crisp plant-based chocolate shell after chilling.

Optional Ingredients

Peanuts – Adds another layer of texture and flavor. You can use any type of chopped nuts you like.
Sea salt – Nothing elevates the richness of vegan chocolate than a dash of saltiness!

Substitutions and Variations

This plant-based and gluten-free peanut butter dates recipe is quite flexible. You can make the necessary modifications based on your preference and dietary requirements.

Aside from peanut butter, other options are almond, cashew, walnut, hazelnut, and pecan butter. If you are allergic to nuts, substitute this with sunflower butter instead.
Aside from nuts and sea salt, you can also use oats, crushed cookies, crushed candies, and chopped dried fruits like cranberries or apricots.
You can also drizzle them with caramel or vegan chocolate syrup after dipping for more sweetness.

How to make the Peanut Butter Stuffed Dates

It is so easy! Actually, the hardest part is waiting for the dates to freeze for an hour.

Preparation:

Melt your vegan chocolate chips in a bowl. There are several easy ways to melt non-dairy chocolate. Here is a simple guide if it's your first time.

Steps:

1) Prepare the Dates. Make a slit lengthwise on one side of the Sprouts Medjool Dates with a sharp knife to expose the pit and remove it. Be careful not to slice the Medjool dates all the way through.

2) Add the Peanut Butter Filling. Using a teaspoon or a piping bag, fill each date with peanut butter. Set aside.

3) Dip and Chill. Dip the stuffed dates into the vegan melted chocolate, sprinkle with chopped peanuts and sea salt (if using them). Then, let it set in the freezer for at least an hour and serve. Enjoy!

Storage Notes

The stuffed dates can be kept in the fridge for up to a week, sealed in a Ziploc/Stasher bag. You can enjoy them straight out of the refrigerator. You can also keep them frozen for 1 to 2 months in a freezer-safe bag or container. Let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes or overnight in the fridge before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions for Peanut Butter Stuffed Dates

Can I use the regular dates instead of Medjool? There is a significant difference in size, and we prefer to use Sprouts Medjool Dates because they are larger, tend to be sweeter, and moist, making it great for stuffing.
Can I make them ahead of time? Yes, you can do it a day before you want to serve them. To keep the stuffed dates moist, always keep the container's lid on. Place them in the freezer if you wish for your peanut butter stuffed dates to have a longer shelf life.
Can I make this nut-free? Absolutely, the nuts are optional, so you can omit them anytime. You can also swap them with sunflower or pumpkin seeds if you are allergic.
Can I use natural peanut butter? Absolutely! This is are actually a healthier compared to most commercial peanut butter.

Other vegan sweet treats for you to try!

Chocolate Fruit Bars - This fruit bar is filled with your favorite dried fruits and nuts smothered in vegan chocolate to make it an energy bar, so be prepared to overindulge. It's delicious as a breakfast, snack, or dessert any time of day.
Chewy Gluten-free Peanut Butter Granola Bars - If you're in a hurry, these Chewy Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Granola Bars are just what you need. A quick breakfast or snack to keep you going throughout the day. What's better than peanut butter, oats, cereal, dried fruits (such raisins and cranberries), maple syrup, and vegan chocolate chips for a nutritious for a delicious pick me up?
Easy Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Bars - It's delectable, with a sweet, salty, and nutritious combo all in one bar. The texture of each bite is a fantastic mix of chewy and crunchy. Ingredients are wholesome, making this a perfect grab and go snack or breakfast

Photos by Alfonso Revilla