This Chocolate Hummus With Dates is the healthiest sweet hummus dip you'll make at home. It is vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and naturally sweetened using dates. No tahini!
If you are looking for yummy recipes using dates, try our date smoothie or the date and walnut cake recipe next!
Why You'll Love This Chocolate Hummus Recipe
Skip the store-bought chocolate hummus and make it easily at home! All you need is a can of chickpeas, dates, cocoa powder, and maple syrup—and there’s no tahini needed.
It’s chocolatey, creamy, and decadent, but made with simple ingredients. Serve it with fresh or dried fruit, cinnamon pita chips, or even toasted baguette slices for an easy snack or sweet treat.
And my favorite part? It’s naturally sweetened with dates, so there’s no added sugar needed!
Looking for more delicious ways to use dates? Be sure to check out my other Medjool date recipes!
-maria doss
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Ingredients to make chocolate hummus
Scroll down to the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and amounts.
- Chickpeas – You don’t need to soak or cook dried garbanzo beans— just use a 15-ounce can of chickpeas that is drained and rinsed or make your own - get the instant pot chickpeas recipe).
- Dates – Medjool dates are a naturally sweet and wholesome way to sweeten the dip; even soft ones benefit from soaking in warm water for 30 minutes, which helps them blend more smoothly and gives the hummus a creamy texture.
- Cocoa Powder – Using ¼ cup of unsweetened cocoa powder per can of chickpeas adds a rich chocolate flavor, and you can always increase it for a deeper, more intense chocolate taste.
- Maple syrup - Maple syrup adds a lighter, more syrupy sweetness with a subtle maple flavor.
Tips for Success
- Grind until very smooth for an ultra creamy texture.
- Dates - I use soft Medjool dates which grinds very easily in the food processor.
- Noor dates - If you are using the Noor variety, then I recommend soaking them in warm water for atleast one hour before adding into the processor. Adjust water accordingly.
- Mixer - A food processor or Vitamix are great options.
Chocolate Hummus FAQ'S
Not really! When blended with cocoa powder, dates, maple syrup, and vanilla, the chickpea flavor is surprisingly subtle. Chickpeas have a mild, slightly nutty flavor, so they work more as a creamy base while the chocolate and dates take center stage.
The finished chocolate hummus is smooth, rich, and chocolatey, with a flavor that reminds me of a less-sweet chocolate frosting or a nutty chocolate spread like Nutella.
You might wonder why I use both dates and maple syrup when the dates already provide plenty of sweetness. They actually serve different purposes, and together they give the chocolate hummus a better flavor and texture.
Dates provide natural sweetness, body, and creaminess, but because they’re naturally fibrous, they blend into a thick paste. Cocoa powder is also quite absorbent, so using dates alone can make the hummus thick and a little heavy.
Pure maple syrup adds both sweetness and moisture, helping the chickpeas and dates blend into a smooth, creamy consistency. It also adds a lighter, caramel-like sweetness that balances the rich cocoa and earthy flavor of the chickpeas.
So, the dates provide the natural sweetness and body, while the maple syrup helps create a smoother texture and rounds out the chocolate flavor.
Traditional savory hummus usually gets much of its signature flavor and creamy texture from tahini, but I leave it out of this chocolate hummus on purpose.
Tahini has a naturally nutty, slightly bitter flavor, and when paired with unsweetened cocoa powder, that bitterness can stand out more. You can certainly make chocolate hummus with tahini, but you may need more dates or maple syrup to balance the flavors.
I prefer to keep this version simple and let the chickpeas provide the creamy base while the dates, maple syrup, and cocoa give it a naturally sweet, rich chocolate flavor. The result is a smooth chocolate spread without the savory or bitter notes that tahini can sometimes bring.
Yes, I recommend soaking them before making chocolate hummus. Softening the dates helps them blend smoothly with the chickpeas and cocoa, giving you a creamy, mousse-like texture instead of tiny chewy pieces of date throughout.
Soft Medjool dates may not need much soaking at all. Firmer dates, such as Noor dates, usually benefit from a longer soak.
The best way to soak dates is to place the pitted dates in a bowl and cover them with boiling water. Let them soak for 15 to 30 minutes, or until they feel soft when pressed between your fingers.
Medjool dates typically soften within 15 to 30 minutes, while firmer Noor dates may need about an hour. Add the dates and the soaking liquid to the food processor. If the dates are still quite firm after soaking, give them a little more time—the softer they are, the easier they’ll blend into a smooth chocolate hummus.
Store chocolate hummus in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. It’s a great make-ahead snack to keep on hand for fruit, pita chips, or toast throughout the week.
For longer storage, you can freeze it for up to 1 month. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator, then give it a good stir before serving. If it seems a little thick after thawing, add a small splash of water and mix until you reach your desired consistency.
More Dates Recipes
Chocolate Hummus With Dates
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 can chickpeas (15 ounces) drain and rinse
- 10 Medjool dates pitted
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Soak dates. Heat 1 cup of water until hot, either in the microwave or on the stovetop. Pour it into a bowl over the pitted dates, then cover and let them soak for about 30 minutes.
- Grind. Add the soaked dates along with the soaking water, chickpeas, cocoa powder, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt to a food processor. Process for 2 to 3 minutes, scraping down the sides once or twice, until very smooth and creamy.
- Taste and serve. Taste the hummus, and if you'd like it a bit sweeter, add a touch of maple syrup and blend again until fully combined.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information, based on third-party calculations, should be seen as estimates, not guarantees, as various factors like product types, brands, processing methods, and more can alter the nutritional content in recipes.
What to dip in chocolate hummus?
This sweet chocolate hummus with dates is so healthy and guilt-free, you might just eat it straight off the spoon — but it also pairs perfectly with a variety of dippers for a fun, delicious snack or healthy dessert board:
- Toasted Pita Chips – Cut pita bread into triangles, place on a baking sheet, lightly spray with nonstick cooking spray, and bake at 350°F until golden and crisp. For a sweet twist, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar before baking.
- Fresh Fruit – Apple slices, strawberries, banana rounds, and pear wedges add a juicy, refreshing contrast to the creamy, chocolatey spread.
- Pretzels – The salty crunch of pretzels balances the sweet richness of the date sweetened hummus beautifully.
- Graham Crackers – Regular or cinnamon graham crackers both work great.
- Dried Fruit – Dried apricots, banana chips, or freeze-dried apples are all tasty, sturdy options — just pick a dried fruit large enough to scoop up the dip.
- Toasted Bread – Spread it on warm toast or bagels instead of jam or Nutella for a wholesome twist on breakfast.
- Bananas – Slice a banana lengthwise and spread some chocolate chickpea dip on the flat side for a kid-friendly after-school snack that's naturally sweet and satisfying.
Make a Chocolate Hummus Dessert Board
Turn this chocolate hummus into an easy healthy dessert board for entertaining! Similar to a fruit and cheese platter, arrange a bowl of chocolate hummus in the center and surround it with fresh fruit like strawberries, bananas, and apple slices, along with dried apricots and plenty of crunchy dippers.
Cinnamon pita chips, graham crackers, and pretzels are especially good for scooping up the creamy chocolate hummus. It’s a simple, fun dessert board that’s perfect for holidays, parties, or whenever you’re entertaining guests.
How to make chocolate hummus with dates?
You can find full printable recipe below, but here is a quick overview of the procedure along with step-by-step photos.
Looking for more ways to use cooked chickpeas? Check out our roundup post of recipes using chickpeas or the beet hummus recipe!
More healthy snacks using dates and chocolate
Satisfy a chocolate craving with healthy and naturally sweet date recipes. Here are some suggestions:
- Almond Joy Stuffed Dates have all the classic flavors of the beloved almond joy candy — only so much healthier!
- Raw Chocolate Salami is the healthiest treat you'll eat! Made with 4 wholesome ingredients like dates, cocoa powder, nuts, and coconut oil, it is my favorite go-to snack to store in the fridge.
- Healthy Avocado Chocolate Mousse is rich, creamy, and surprisingly decadent! Made with dates, it's a vegetarian mousse that’s deeply chocolatey and comes with a vegan option too!
- These Date Balls are made using 4 wholesome, nutritious ingredients. It is raw, sweet, chocolatey, and fudgy and is the perfect guilt-free treat when a craving strikes.
- Date and Banana Smoothie is naturally sweet, nutrient-packed, and surprisingly decadent—thanks to soft Medjool dates.
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Hi, I’m Maria! I share easy, flavor-packed dinners, high-protein meals, and irresistible baking ideas. If you’ve ever asked, “Don’t know what to cook tonight?” you’re in the right place. And yes—there’s plenty here for breakfast, snacks, and dessert too. More about maria ->
Kelly @ Kelly Lynns Sweets and Treats
Anytime I can have chocolate and it’s guilt free, count me in!!
Lisa Mcpherson
I just want the desserts
Ashika | Gardening Foodie
This is such a great chocolate hummus,and guilt free ...even better 🙂