Cakes & Baking

Healthier Hazelnut Caramel Bites

Healthier Hazelnut Caramel Bites

These hazelnut caramel bites are rich, nutty, and naturally sweetened with dates, a wholefood twist on a classic treat using just five ingredients. With a creamy hazelnut-date caramel centre and a crunchy chocolate coating, they’re indulgent yet wholesome. No baking needed, gluten-free and seriously moreish!

Ingredients

  • 200g dark chocolate (approx. 1¼ cups, chopped)
  • 200g hazelnuts (approx. 1½ cups)
  • 2 tbsp coconut oil
  • 100g soft pitted dates (approx. ½ cup, packed)
  • ½ tsp sea salt

Preparation

1. Roast the hazelnuts

Spread the hazelnuts on a baking tray in your air fryer and roast for 8–10 minutes at 180°C, until fragrant and golden. Allow to cool slightly. Rub the hazelnuts in a clean tea towel to remove most of the skins (optional).

2. Make the hazelnut butter

Add all the roasted hazelnuts to a your Easy Prep Pro and blend for 5–7 minutes, scraping down the sides as needed, until a smooth hazelnut butter forms.

3. Make the date caramel Add the soft pitted dates, coconut oil, all of the hazelnut butter (from step 2), sea salt, and 2–3 tbsp water to a food processor or blender. Blend until very smooth and creamy. If needed, add extra water 1 tsp at a time until spreadable.

4. Prepare the chocolate coating

Chop the dark chocolate into small pieces and melt gently using a bain-marie or microwave in 30-second bursts. Stir until completely smooth.

5. Assemble the bites

Spoon a small amount of melted chocolate into the base of each mould cavity (about one-third full). Place in the freezer for 10 minutes to partially set. Once set, spoon in the hazelnut-date caramel layer, filling another third of each mould. Finally, top with the remaining melted chocolate. (Optional: stir a few tablespoons of extra chopped roasted hazelnuts into the melted chocolate before spooning it over the top.) Smooth the surface with the back of a spoon if needed.

6. Set and enjoy

Chill in the fridge or freezer for at least 30 minutes, or until fully set. Pop out of the moulds and store in an airtight container in the fridge.