This post may contain affiliate links.
These Chocolate Date Caramels are soft, chewy, and coated in dark chocolate with a sprinkle of sea salt on top for a sweet and salty moment. They’re easy to make, use wholesome ingredients and make the perfect treat to keep stocked in your fridge or freezer!
Table of Contents
If you love caramels but are looking for a healthier version, these Chocolate Date Caramels will be your new favourite. They’re made with medjool dates like I use for my Snickers Stuffed Dates and Chocolate Date Balls, which gives them a true caramel-like flavour while still being a healthier treat option.
These caramels went viral on the Choosing Chia Instagram and for good reason. They’re so easy to make, naturally sweet, made with simple wholesome ingredients and are perfect to meal prep for your weekly sweet treat.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Healthier option: I love using medjool dates in recipes like this or my Snickers Overnight Oats for natural caramel-like sweetness instead of refined sugar.
- Easy to make: No stovetop or candy thermometer needed for these caramels! Just blend, chill, dip, and enjoy.
- Freezer-friendly: Store them in the freezer and enjoy straight from frozen whenever your sweet craving hits.
- Viral-worthy: They taste indulgent like real caramel but are made with simple, wholesome ingredients.
Key Ingredients
- Medjool dates: It’s important to use Medjool dates for this recipe, rather than other varieties of dates. Medjool dates are soft and have a natural caramel-like taste, which is what makes these taste like caramel in this recipe and other recipes like my Salted Caramel Bliss Balls.
- Almond flour: You can also substitute with oat flour or coconut flour here if you prefer.
- Cashew butter: I like the mild flavour of cashew butter for this recipe because it doesn’t overpower the flavour of the dates. Tahini will also work well here. You could also use peanut butter or almond butter, but I find the taste will be a bit more overpowering.
**This is a recipe overview. The full recipe with measurements is below in the recipe card.
How To Make Date Caramels
Step 1: Add all the caramel ingredients to a food processor.
Step 2: Blend until the mixture comes together.
Step 3: Line a pan with parchment paper and press the caramel into the pan.
Step 4: Freeze for 1 hour, then remove from the pan and cut into squares.
Step 5: Melt the chocolate in a bowl.
Step 6: Use a fork to dip each caramel into the melted chocolate.
Step 7: Place on parchment paper and sprinkle with sea salt. Let the chocolates set in the fridge or freezer.
How To Store
Store these Date Caramels in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. They’re delicious straight from the freezer since the dates stay chewy even when frozen.
Jess’s Tips
- Soften dates if needed: If your Medjool dates feel dry or tough, soak them in warm water for 5–10 minutes, then drain well before blending. Use any extra medjool dates to make a Date And Banana Smoothie.
- Sticky dough: If the mixture is too sticky to handle, add more almond flour a tablespoon at a time until it firms up. It should be soft, but not overly sticky.
- Pressing the dough: If you’re having trouble pressing the dough into the pan, place a sheet of parchment paper on top of the dough, then use your hands over the parchment paper to spread out the dough.
- Line your pan: Use parchment paper in pan so the mixture lifts out easily without sticking.
- Work in batches: Keep some of the cut caramel squares in the freezer if needed while you dip others in chocolate so they hold their shape.
- Sprinkle with salt: Caramel and salt are match made in heaven and taste delicious in recipes like these date caramels or my Healthy Chocolate Turtles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Medjool dates are recommended for this recipe because they taste like caramel and blend easily into a sticky caramel texture.
Absolutely! Substitute almond flour with oat flour or coconut flour, and cashew butter with tahini or soy butter for a nut-free version.
Unfortunately no. The caramels will become to soft left at room temp, so they need to be stored in the fridge or freezer.
Try These Date Recipes Next!
Snacks
Carrot Cake Energy Balls
Desserts
Almond Butter Stuffed Dates
Desserts
Raw Salted Caramel Slice
Desserts
Raw Chocolate Brownies
If you tried these Chocolate Date Caramels or any other recipe on the blog let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment/rating below! Be sure to follow along on Pinterest, Instagram, Tiktok and Facebook for even more deliciousness!
Chocolate Date Caramels
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minuted
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 36 chocolates
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Blend
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These Chocolate Date Caramels are a healthy no-bake recipe that are perfect to store in your fridge or freezer for a sweet treat!
Ingredients
- 2 cups pitted Medjool dates
- 3 tbsp cashew butter (or tahini)
- 2–3 tbsp almond flour
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 200 g 70% dark chocolate
- Maldon sea salt for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Add dates, cashew butter, almond flour, vanilla extract, and salt to a food processor. Blend until smooth and sticky.
- If the mixture feels too wet, add 1–2 tbsp more almond flour until it holds together.
- Press the mixture into an 8×8-inch pan, or 9×4 inch pan lined with parchment paper. Freeze for 1 hour to set.
- Remove from the freezer and cut into small squares.
- Melt the dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl over simmering water (or in the microwave in 20-second intervals).
- Dip each square into the melted chocolate to coat fully. Place on a parchment-lined tray.
- Sprinkle with Maldon sea salt while the chocolate is still wet.
- Place the chocolates in the fridge or freezer for 1 hour to set.
- Store in the fridge or freezer.
Notes
- If your dates are dry, soak them in warm water for 5–10 minutes, then drain.
- Add almond flour if dough is too sticky.
- Press dough with parchment on top to spread it more easily.
- Line the pan with parchment paper to remove the caramel easily.
- Sprinkle with flaky salt before serving for a sweet and salty taste.
- Store in the fridge.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chocolate
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 9g
- Fat: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 1g
LOVE this recipe 🩷
Thanks Isabelle! So happy you love it!
So good
So happy you love them!!
These Date Caramels are such a hit! They really taste like caramel and make a healthy little treat to store in the fridge.