These Tahini Bon Bons are a delightful, healthy treat that tastes like candy bars but are made with wholesome ingredients like dates, tahini, and chocolate. They’re quick and easy to make, nut-free, gluten-free, and perfect for those looking for a lower-sugar, vegan snack. With a creamy tahini center and a chocolate coating, they’re a perfect indulgence that’s also kid-friendly and allergy-friendly!
Full Recipe:
Ingredients
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18 dates
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¼ cup tahini (or other nut or seed butter)
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½ teaspoon cinnamon
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2 teaspoons maple syrup
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1 heaping cup chocolate chips (I like Enjoy Life brand)
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1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Directions
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Slice each date lengthwise and carefully remove the pit. Set the dates aside.
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Mix the tahini with cinnamon and maple syrup in a bowl (adjust sweetness if needed).
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Place the tahini mixture into a small ziplock bag, cut off a tiny corner to create a makeshift piping bag, and fill each date with the tahini mixture. Gently squish the date back together (it doesn’t need to close completely).
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Place the filled dates in the freezer for 10-15 minutes to help the filling set.
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While the dates chill, toast the sesame seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat for a couple of minutes until lightly browned. Set aside.
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Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave or over a double boiler.
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Once the dates have chilled, dip each one into the melted chocolate, coating it evenly, then place it on parchment paper.
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Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds.
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Repeat until all dates are coated, then return them to the freezer to set the chocolate.
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Store in a sealed container in the fridge to prevent the chocolate from melting. Serve chilled and enjoy!
Nutrients
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Calories: 170 kcal (per serving of 2 bon bons)
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Carbohydrates: 20g
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Protein: 2g
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Fat: 9g
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Saturated Fat: 2g
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Sodium: 20mg
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Potassium: 220mg
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Fiber: 4g
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Sugar: 12g
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Vitamin A: 0 IU
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Vitamin C: 0mg
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Calcium: 40mg
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Iron: 1.5mg
The Appeal of Wholesome Ingredients
What makes Tahini Bon Bons so appealing is the use of wholesome, nutrient-dense ingredients that provide both flavor and health benefits. Dates serve as the natural sweetener in this recipe, offering a rich, caramel-like sweetness that eliminates the need for refined sugars. They’re packed with fiber, potassium, and other essential minerals, making them a great base for a healthy dessert. Dates are also a good source of antioxidants, which help protect your body from free radicals and support overall health.
Tahini, the second star ingredient in these bon bons, is made from ground sesame seeds and is a rich source of healthy fats, protein, and important minerals such as magnesium, phosphorus, and iron. This creamy seed butter offers a nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with the natural sweetness of the dates. It also provides a boost of plant-based protein and healthy fats, which help keep you feeling fuller for longer.
Together, dates and tahini create a rich and satisfying filling for these bon bons, while dark chocolate provides the final touch of indulgence. The chocolate coating not only adds a luxurious element to the treat but also contains beneficial compounds like flavonoids, which have been linked to heart health and improved cognitive function.
Why Choose Tahini Bon Bons?
Tahini Bon Bons are an excellent choice for anyone looking to satisfy their sweet cravings in a healthier way. Unlike traditional candy bars, which are often loaded with refined sugars, unhealthy fats, and artificial additives, these bon bons are made from simple, natural ingredients. They are also easy to prepare, requiring just a few minutes of your time to put together. Since they’re made with dates and tahini, they provide a dose of fiber, protein, and healthy fats, which makes them a more balanced option than most store-bought candies.
Moreover, these bon bons are completely customizable. If you prefer a sweeter treat, you can adjust the amount of maple syrup in the tahini mixture to suit your taste. The addition of cinnamon adds a warming, aromatic flavor, while the toasted sesame seeds on top enhance the nuttiness of the tahini and add a delightful crunch.
The fact that these bon bons are nut-free makes them a safe option for those with nut allergies, while still offering a delicious, creamy center thanks to the tahini. They are also dairy-free and refined sugar-free, making them suitable for individuals following vegan, gluten-free, or whole-food plant-based diets. For anyone looking to indulge without the guilt, Tahini Bon Bons provide a perfect solution.
A Quick and Easy Treat
One of the greatest advantages of making Tahini Bon Bons is how quick and easy the recipe is. Unlike traditional cakes or cookies, which require extensive preparation and baking, these bon bons come together in just a few simple steps. All you need to do is pit the dates, mix the tahini filling, pipe it into the dates, and dip them in melted chocolate. The entire process takes less than 30 minutes, and there’s no need for any special equipment or complicated techniques.
Since the dates need to chill for a few minutes in the freezer to set the tahini filling, you’ll have time to prepare the other components, such as toasting the sesame seeds and melting the chocolate. Once the dates are chilled, dipping them in the melted chocolate is a quick and satisfying step that instantly transforms them into a delicious dessert. After they’re coated and sprinkled with sesame seeds, they’re ready to be stored in the fridge, where they’ll firm up and be ready to enjoy.
This simplicity makes Tahini Bon Bons perfect for busy individuals who want a quick, healthy dessert option without the hassle of baking. Whether you’re craving something sweet in the afternoon or need a dessert to serve after dinner, these bon bons are the ideal treat to whip up in a matter of minutes.
Health Benefits of Tahini Bon Bons
While these Tahini Bon Bons are indulgent and satisfying, they also offer a range of health benefits thanks to their nutrient-dense ingredients. Dates provide natural sugars that give you a quick energy boost, without the blood sugar spikes and crashes that come with refined sugars. They’re also a good source of fiber, which promotes digestive health, aids in weight management, and helps stabilize blood sugar levels.
Tahini, as mentioned earlier, is packed with healthy fats, which are beneficial for heart health. The monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats in tahini help lower bad cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of heart disease. Tahini also contains protein, which helps with muscle repair, and essential vitamins and minerals, including iron, calcium, and magnesium. Iron is important for oxygen transport in the blood, while calcium and magnesium support strong bones and overall health.
The dark chocolate coating adds a layer of richness to these bon bons while providing antioxidants that help combat oxidative stress and inflammation. Flavonoids found in dark chocolate have been linked to improved cardiovascular health, and they also offer cognitive benefits by enhancing brain function.
Together, the ingredients in these bon bons offer a more nutritious option for satisfying your sweet tooth. They’re rich in healthy fats, fiber, protein, and important micronutrients, making them a far better choice than traditional candies or store-bought sweets.
Customizing Your Tahini Bon Bons
One of the best things about Tahini Bon Bons is how easily you can customize them to suit your preferences. If you prefer a sweeter treat, you can increase the amount of maple syrup or add a touch of vanilla extract to the tahini mixture. You could also experiment with different spices, such as nutmeg or ginger, for a unique flavor twist. For those who love chocolate, you could fold some chocolate chips into the tahini filling before piping it into the dates for a chocolate-filled center.
If you’re not a fan of sesame seeds, you can leave them out or substitute them with another topping, such as shredded coconut, chopped nuts, or even a sprinkle of sea salt for a sweet-salty combination. These bon bons are incredibly versatile, and the possibilities are endless when it comes to personalizing the recipe to fit your taste.
For a fun variation, try adding other dried fruits like apricots or figs instead of dates. You can also use almond butter or sunflower seed butter instead of tahini, depending on your preference or any dietary restrictions. These simple substitutions allow you to create different flavors and textures, ensuring that you never get bored of these tasty treats.
Serving and Storing Tahini Bon Bons
Tahini Bon Bons are best served chilled, making them a refreshing treat during warm weather. They’re perfect for popping in the fridge and enjoying as a sweet snack or dessert at any time of day. Since the bon bons are made with all-natural ingredients and contain no preservatives, they’re best kept in a sealed container in the fridge, where they’ll last for up to a week. If you want to keep them for longer, they can be stored in the freezer for several months. Just be sure to store them in an airtight container to prevent the chocolate from absorbing any unwanted odors.
These bon bons make for a great snack to take on the go, whether you’re heading to work, packing lunch for the kids, or need something to nibble on after a workout. Their bite-sized nature makes them easy to carry around and enjoy without any mess, making them the perfect on-the-go snack.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Tahini Bon Bons are a delicious, healthy, and easy-to-make treat that satisfies your sweet cravings without the guilt. Made with simple, wholesome ingredients like dates, tahini, and dark chocolate, these bon bons are vegan, nut-free, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free, making them suitable for a wide range of dietary preferences and needs. They’re not only quick to prepare but also customizable, allowing you to adjust the flavors to suit your taste. Whether you’re looking for a healthy snack, a fun dessert, or a crowd-pleasing treat, Tahini Bon Bons are the perfect solution. With their creamy tahini center, rich chocolate coating, and crunchy sesame seed topping, they offer the perfect balance of textures and flavors. So, next time you’re craving something sweet, reach for these delicious, nutritious bon bons—they’re sure to hit the spot.