Cottage Cheese Date Bites: Naturally Sweet, No-Bake Treats
Craving something sweet but still wholesome? These Cottage Cheese Date Bites strike the perfect balance between indulgence and nourishment. Blended with pistachios and naturally sweet dates, then dipped in rich melted chocolate and finished with a sprinkle of crushed nuts—each bite is creamy, satisfying, and irresistibly moreish. Whether you’re after a protein-rich snack, a healthier dessert, or a crowd-pleasing party treat, this easy, no-bake recipe has you covered. Scroll down or tap ‘Jump to Recipe’ to get started!
Simple Ingredients, Seriously Delicious
With just a handful of wholesome ingredients, these bite-sized treats come together quickly and offer big flavour in every mouthful.
Cottage cheese: A creamy, high-protein base that blends beautifully into a smooth filling—mild in taste, making it the perfect backdrop for natural sweetness.
Pitted dates: Naturally sweet and sticky, dates give the bites a caramel-like flavour without any added sugar.
Toasted pistachios: Add a nutty crunch and a pop of green colour—perfect for flavour and presentation.
Chocolate: Choose your favourite: milk, dark, or white. Each version offers a different take, whether you want intense richness or creamy sweetness.
Neutral oil: Just a touch helps loosen the melted chocolate for easier dipping and a glossy finish. Use baking olive oil or sunflower oil.
Crushed pistachios: The final flourish—adding texture, colour, and a touch of elegance to each bite.
How to Make Cottage Cheese Date Bites
Blend and Chill the Filling
Start by combining the cottage cheese, pitted dates, and toasted pistachios in a food processor. Blend until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy. Transfer to a bowl and freeze for about 40 minutes to 1 hour, or until the mixture is firm enough to shape. This chilling step makes it much easier to roll the bites neatly.
Once set, scoop out portions (roughly 20g each) and roll them into balls. You should get around 19 pieces. Insert a toothpick into each ball and place them on a parchment-lined board. Freeze again for at least 2 hours, or until fully solid. This ensures they keep their shape when dipped in chocolate.
Melt the Chocolate
Break the chocolate into small pieces and melt it in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 10-second intervals, stirring each time until smooth and glossy.
Prefer the stovetop? Use a bain-marie: place a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of gently simmering water, ensuring the bowl doesn’t touch the water. Stir until fully melted.
Once melted, stir in the neutral oil. This step makes the chocolate smoother and easier to coat the bites evenly. Set the glaze aside to cool slightly before dipping.
Dip, Drizzle, and Decorate
Remove the frozen bites from the freezer. Working one at a time, dip each ball into the melted chocolate, letting any excess drip off. Place on a fresh sheet of parchment paper. Gently twist and remove the toothpick from each bite to keep their shape clean.
Transfer any remaining chocolate to a piping bag or ziplock bag with a small corner snipped off. Drizzle it over the bites for a decorative touch, then sprinkle immediately with crushed pistachios while the chocolate is still soft.
Let the chocolate set completely before serving—or tuck in right away if you can’t resist!
Perfect for Gifting, Snacking, or Sharing
These Cottage Cheese Date Bites are perfect for almost any occasion. Whether served at parties, packed into lunchboxes, or kept in the fridge for a post-dinner treat, they’re always a delight. Elegant enough to gift during the holidays and a guaranteed hit at gatherings—no one will guess they’re made with cottage cheese!
This recipe is naturally gluten-free and easily customisable. For a refined sugar-free option, simply skip the chocolate coating and roll the bites in crushed nuts or shredded coconut instead. You can also vary the nuts used in the filling to suit your taste.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
- Storage: Keep the bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezer-friendly: Freeze the bites in a single layer inside an airtight container lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Batch prep: Double the recipe and store half for later—they’re great for meal-prep or healthy snacking.
Want More Easy Sweet Treat Ideas?
Watch our quick video tutorial on Instagram to see how simple these bites are to make—plus, don’t miss our other wholesome sweet treats:
- Dubai Chocolate on a Budget
- Frozen Strawberry Yogurt Gems
- Pistachio Stuffed Raspberries
- Frozen Blueberry Ricotta Pops
Happy snacking,
Izabella
Description
These Cottage Cheese Date Bites are the ultimate no-bake treat—smooth, creamy, and perfectly sweet thanks to the natural sugars in dates. Blended with toasted pistachios and coated in your favourite chocolate, they’re finished with a sprinkle of crushed pistachios for extra crunch and colour. Easy to make and ideal for keeping in the fridge, these little bites are great as a healthier dessert or a mid-afternoon pick-me-up. Gluten-free and endlessly adaptable, they’re sure to become a regular in your kitchen.
Ingredients
For the bites:
For the chocolate glaze:
For garnish:
Instructions
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Make the filling: In a food processor, blend the cottage cheese, dates, and toasted pistachios until smooth. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and freeze for 40 minutes to 1 hour, until firm enough to shape. Once set, roll into small balls (about 20g each) — you should get around 19 bites. Place them on a parchment-lined board, insert a toothpick into each, and freeze for at least 2 hours or until fully firm.
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Prepare the chocolate glaze: Break the chocolate into pieces and melt it in a microwave-safe bowl in 10-second intervals, stirring between each. Alternatively: Melt over a bain-marie (a heatproof bowl set over simmering water), stirring until smooth. Once melted, stir in the neutral oil until glossy and combined. Let it cool slightly.
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Dip and decorate: Remove the frozen bites from the freezer. Dip each one into the melted chocolate, let the excess drip off, and place on a parchment-lined tray. Transfer any remaining chocolate into a piping or ziplock bag, snip a tiny corner, and drizzle over the coated bites. While the chocolate is still soft, sprinkle with crushed pistachios. Enjoy immediately or store in an airtight container in the fridge.
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 19 ServingCalories:103.88kcalTotal Fat:6gSaturated Fat: 2.37gTrans Fat: 0gCholesterol:2.68mgSodium:50.97mgPotassium:118.31mgTotal Carbohydrate:11.92gDietary Fiber: 1.25gSugars: 9.86gProtein:2.82gVitamin A: 6.89IUVitamin C: 0.14mgCalcium: 22.6mgIron: 0.49mgVitamin D: 0.01IUVitamin E: 0.28IUVitamin K: 1.42mcgThiamin: 0.03mgRiboflavin: 0.04mgNiacin: 0.17mgVitamin B6: 0.06mgFolate: 5.39mcgVitamin B12: 0.06mcgPhosphorus: 55.15mgMagnesium: 19.39mgZinc: 0.31mg
Note
- Chocolate options: Use milk, dark, or white chocolate depending on your preference. Dark chocolate adds a richer contrast to the sweet date filling.
- Oil tip: Neutral oils like baking olive oil, sunflower oil, or avocado oil help keep the chocolate glaze smooth and easy to drizzle. Avoid strongly flavoured oils like extra virgin olive oil.
- Customise the nuts: Pistachios add great flavour and colour, but you can also use almonds, walnuts, or cashews.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days, or freeze for longer storage. Enjoy straight from the fridge for the best texture.
- Toothpick tip: Twist gently when removing the toothpick to keep the shape neat and avoid cracking the coating.
