Healthy Chocolate Turtles (4 ingredients)
Healthy Chocolate Turtles are made with only 4 ingredients: dates, pecans, peanut butter, and dairy-free chocolate chips. An easy, no-bake treat!
Craving something sweet but want to keep it healthy? Make these no-bake chocolate turtles! They’re quick to make and have the perfect balance of chewy, crunchy, and rich chocolate goodness.
Dates are one of my all-time favorite foods, ever. They are naturally sweet and so delicious! I love using them to make in energy balls, chocolate truffles, or stuffing them with PB&J! If you share a similar love for medjool dates, you’re definitely going to want to check out all my date recipes.
And if you like the flavor of chocolate pecan turtles with dark chocolate, you’ll love my healthy no-bake chocolate turtle cookies.
Anyways, back to this delicious no-bake chocolate candy recipe…
What I love most about this recipe, apart from how delicious it is, is how simple it is. These chocolate pecan turtles are made with only 4 wholesome ingredients that you can feel good about. So let’s get right into it!
Are Chocolate Turtles Good For You?
Technically, yes! These vegan chocolate turtles are a healthier alternative to traditional candy since they’re made with nutrient-dense ingredients such as:
- Medjool Dates: High in fiber and antioxidants.
- Pecans: Rich in healthy fats and vitamins that can support heart health.
- Peanut Butter: Provides protein, healthy fats, and nutrients.
- Dark Chocolate: Contains polyphenols and flavonoids, which can improve heart health. Just make sure you opt for a high-quality dark chocolate with minimal added sugar, like this one.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- 4 Ingredients: Made with just a few ingredients you can feel good about: dates, pecans, peanut butter, and dairy-free chocolate chips.
- Healthy Sweet Treat: Naturally sweetened with dates which are full of antioxidants, filled peanut butter for plant-based protein, pecans for healthy fats, and dark chocolate provides antioxidants.
- No-Bake: Ready in minutes!
- Great for Gifting: A fun and wholesome homemade candy that’s perfect for sharing (after all, treats taste better when shared).
- Vegan, Gluten-Free, Refined Sugar-Free: Suitable for a variety of dietary preferences.
Ingredients Needed
Scroll down to the recipe card to get the full recipe with measurements.
- Medjool Dates – Mimics the caramel in traditional turtle candies. Use soft and fresh medjool dates for the best texture and sweetness; Joolie’s medjool dates are my favorite dates to use. If your dates are hard, soak them in hot water for 10 minutes, then pat dry.
- Peanut Butter: Helps the pecans stick to the dates and adds a creamy, nutty layer of flavor. I recommend using a thick peanut butter for this recipe as it’s easier to work with (refrigerated peanut butter is ideal).
- Pecans: A necessity! Pecans are used to create the turtle legs.
- Dark Chocolate: Use dairy-free chocolate to keep this recipe vegan.
How to Make Vegan Chocolate Turtles
- Prepare the Dates: Slice each date in half and remove the pits. Lightly flatten the date halves onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Add Peanut Butter: Spread about a teaspoon amount of peanut butter onto each date half.
- Assemble the Turtles: Place 4 pecans in each corner of each peanut butter-covered date to form the “legs” of the turtle. Pop them in the freezer for a bit so the peanut butter hardens.
- Melt the Chocolate: Melt the chocolate in the microwave in 30 second intervals until melted.
- Coat with Chocolate: Spoon about a teaspoon of melted chocolate on top of each date, so the pecans are only partially covered but still visible. Add a small pecan halve onto the top/middle of each date as the turtle’s “head”.
- Set and Enjoy: Chill the tray in the freezer for about 5 minutes or until the chocolate hardens. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt (optional) and enjoy!
Tips and Tricks
- Use Fresh Medjool Dates: For the best texture, I recommend using fresh medjool dates as they are soft and sweet, and most similar to caramel in traditional chocolate turtles. Joolie’s medjool dates are my favorite dates to use.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week or in the freezer for longer (let them thaw at room temperature before enjoying).
- Nut Butter Variations: Swap the peanut butter for almond butter or cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter for nut allergies.
let’s date! More Date Recipes You’ll Love
More No Bake Dessert Recipes
- Easy Peanut Butter Balls
- Pecan Pie Energy Balls
- Healthy Chocolate Truffles
- Brownie Batter Truffles (vegan & gluten free)
- Chocolate Avocado Pudding
- Healthy Snickers Bites (4 ingredients)
If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a comment and ★★★★★ star rating below letting me know how you liked it! This helps others find my recipes. I appreciate your support, as always. xo, Megan
Recipe
Healthy Chocolate Turtles (4 ingredients)
Ingredients
- 6 medjool dates, pitted
- 6 teaspoons peanut butter
- ⅓ cup vegan dark chocolate
- 30 pecan halves
Instructions
- Slice each date in half and remove the pits. Lightly flatten the date halves onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Spread about a teaspoon amount of peanut butter onto each date half.
- Place 4 pecans in each corner of each peanut butter-covered date to form the “legs” of the turtle. Pop them in the freezer for a bit so the peanut butter hardens.
- Melt the vegan dark chocolate in the microwave in 30 second intervals until melted.
- Spoon about a teaspoon of melted chocolate on top of each date, so the pecans are only partially covered but still visible. Add a small pecan halve onto the top/middle of each date as the turtle’s “head”.
- Chill the tray in the freezer for about 5 minutes or until the chocolate hardens. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt (optional) and enjoy!
Notes
- Use Fresh Medjool Dates: For the best texture, I recommend using fresh medjool dates as they are soft and sweet, and most similar to caramel in traditional chocolate turtles. Joolie’s medjool dates are my favorite dates to use.
- Nut Butter Variations: Swap the peanut butter for almond butter or cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter for nut allergies.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week or in the freezer for longer (let them thaw at room temperature before enjoying).
