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Enjoy these easy Date Cookies anytime you are in need of a sweet treat. They are made with just 3 simple ingredients, require no baking, and are naturally sweetened with dates. Plus gluten-free and easily made vegan.
These date cookies are great for the holidays or just anytime you need a sweet fix. They are perfectly rich, and chewy with a nice balance of sweetness. Similar to this date shake that is equally easy to whip up in minutes.
This cookie recipe was inspired by these chocolate peanut butter eggs and these date snickers that are also no-bake. Here we used a combination of dates, peanut butter, and chocolate that blends nicely together for a yummy cookie that you are going to love!
You may also enjoy this no-bake dark chocolate almond bark.
The combination of dates and nuts is common in Mediterranean cooking since the two pair so well together. Dates have a caramel-like flavor so combining them with the chocolate just adds a whole other layer of taste and texture that really makes these cookies shine.
This recipe was created from this video shared by Katie Lee.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Naturally sweetened – these cookies contain no refined sugar and are naturally sweetened with dates (as long as you use sugar-free chocolate)
- Healthy – this cookie recipe is already gluten-free, dairy-free, and easily made vegan or paleo.
- Only 3 Ingredients – super simple with just 3 pantry ingredients that you probably already have. Which means you can make them all the time.
- Great for the holidays – these cookies make a wonderful gift or easy dessert you can bring to any holiday party that everyone will love.
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Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you will need to make these delicious cookies with dates.
- Dates – pitted Medjool dates
- Dark chocolate – any dark chocolate will work. I used Lily’s chocolate chips.
- Creamy peanut butter – creamy peanut butter where the only ingredients are peanuts and salt. If there are other ingredients then the peanut butter will cause the chocolate to clump up when you melt it. Trust me from personal experience.
*For the complete list of ingredients and detailed recipe instructions, check out the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to make date cookies
Here I will show you the step-by-step instructions for making homemade, no-bake date cookies.
Step one: Make sure to remove the pits from the dates, then place them onto a lined baking sheet about 1.5 inches apart.
Step two: Spray the bottom of a glass with cooking spray and use the glass to press on each date to flatten it out lightly. If needed, use a metal spatula or butter knife to remove the date from the bottom of the glass.
Step three: Place the chocolate chips and peanut butter into a microwave-safe bowl.
Step four: Melt the chocolate and peanut butter by heating it in the microwave in 30-second intervals until it is melted. This took about 60 seconds for me.
Step five: Spoon some of the melted chocolate over each date, and sprinkle each with sea salt if desired.
Step six: Chill the cookies until the chocolate is solid, about 20 minutes, and enjoy!
Expert Tip: Lightly press the dates using your hands and spread them out on the pan before you flatten them with the glass.
Recipe Substitutions
Please see the recipe substitutions for these date cookies below.
- Peanut butter– you can use any nut butter you like, just make sure it only has a few ingredients (for example: almond butter and salt).
- Chocolate – any chocolate can be used, I used lily chocolate chips.
- Vegan – use vegan chocolate chips to make these cookies vegan.
Variations
Here are a few fun ways to change up this recipe for even more variety.
- Snickers – top the cookies with chopped peanuts and a drizzle of caramel syrup to make date Snickers cookies.
- Almond joy – add some shredded coconut and chopped almonds to the top of the cookies and use almond butter.
- Kid-friendly – my kids actually loved these cookies but you could add some mini chocolate chips, chopped pretzels, or mini M&M’s to make them even more kid-friendly.
See all of my cookie recipes on PMG!
Equipment Needed
- Mixing bowls
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Glass
- Spoon
Storage
These date cookies store great in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Tips For Making Date Cookies
Use pitted dates to make it easier and reduce the amount of steps in the recipe. These cookies require no baking but you will need a refrigerator to chill them for about 20 minutes, allowing the chocolate coating to harden before you serve them.
Recipe FAQs
I do not recommend freezing them since they will likely get too hard and do not defrost well.
If you store them in the refrigerator they should last about 5 days.
More Healthy Desserts
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Did you try these date cookies? If you did, then please leave a rating and comment below. I would love to hear how yours turned out!
Print
No-Bake Date Cookies
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 10 cookies 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Enjoy these easy date cookies anytime you are in need of a sweet treat! They are made with just 3 simple ingredients, require no baking, and are naturally sweetened with dates. Plus, gluten-free and easily made vegan!
Ingredients
- 10 Medjool pitted dates
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon creamy peanut butter – the only ingredients are peanuts and salt
- Sea salt – optional
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. If you are not using pitted dates, carefully split each date down the middle without cutting it in half and remove the pit. Spread each date out with your fingers and press each one into the lined pan making sure to space them 2 inches apart.
- Spray the bottom of a glass or mason jar with cooking spray, to prevent sticking, and lightly press the glass on top of each date to flatten it. Use a metal spatula or butter knife to remove the date from the bottom of the glass if it is sticking. Continue until you have flattened all of the dates.
- Place the chocolate chips and peanut butter into a microwave-safe bowl and heat it in the microwave until it is melted, then give it a good stir. This took 45-60 seconds for me.
- Use a spoon to spread 1-2 teaspoons of the chocolate mixture over the top of each date, fully covering it. Sprinkle each cookie with a little sea salt, if desired.
- Place the cookies into the freezer or the refrigerator to set up and harden the chocolate and enjoy!
Notes
- Use pitted Medjool dates for the best results.
- You can use any chocolate, note that the nutrition is based on the brands I used (i.e Lily’s chocolate chips)
- Store any leftover cookies in a container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Healthy Desserts
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
These were so easy to make and turned out delicious! I have to stop myself from eating them all in one sitting!
Thank you Breana! I am so glad you liked them!
Thank you for this amazing recipe, my daughter is a picky eater and eats only anything that has choclate flavor And she loved this snack !! Thank you
Hi Azza! I am so glad she liked it. I also have a picky eater and he loves these cookies too!
These were so GOOD! I don’t know why I’ve been so afraid of dates. My only negative was I had too much pb & chocolate leftover, I had to look in my pantry for things to coat 🙂 Thanks for the recipe I will definitely make these again.
Thank you Jody! I am so glad you enjoyed them!