Easy vegan turtles with 4 ingredients in less than 10 minutes. Oil-free, gluten-free, and refined-sugar-free, these turtles are the ideal treat!
Summer calls for no-fuss desserts that you can whip up in under ten minutes.
Bonus points if they’re cute enough to entertain with.
If you love dipping your dates in tahini or nut butter like I do, you’re already half way to making these 4-Ingredient Tahini Date Turtles.
Let me guide you to the next level of turtles, friends.
If you already love the mixture of chocolate, nuts, and caramel in your average turtle, you’re going to love my version with a tahini twist.
It’s got caramel-y Medjool dates, crunchy pecans, melty vegan chocolate, all enhanced with a ribbon of tangy tahini in the center.
What You Need to Make 4 Ingredient Tahini Date Turtles
Here’s what you need:
- Medjool dates
- whole pecans
- runny tahini
- vegan dark chocolate
- sesame seeds
That’s it!
The one requirement for this dessert is fresh Medjool dates.
There is a time and place to use packaged and dried out dates in recipes, but this is not one of those time, friends.
These turtles call for the biggest, freshest, goo-iest, melt-in-your-mouth Medjool dates that you can gets your hands on.
And sink your teeth into.
You’ll also want to try to use the runniest tahini you can find for the tahini ribbon in the center.
Something “drizzle-able” is best.
My favorite runny tahini is this brand.
If you’re really not a sesame person, you can skip this and I guarantee your turtle will still be drool worthy.
How to Serve 4 Ingredient Tahini Date Turtles
Enjoy these turtles as a sweet treat when you need to satisfy your sweet tooth like…yesterday.
They’re perfect to whip up after a long day at work, on a lazy Sunday, or for an event!
I placed these 4 Ingredient Tahini Date Turtles on the dessert table at summer BBQ a few weeks ago.
I was worried because they were slightly warm from sitting in our hot car, but it worked in their favor by making them even more moist and delicious.
My favorite way to eat my turtles is before the chocolate has set– all gooey and chewy and warm.
If you prefer them this way too, try reheating leftover turtles in the microwave in ~10 second intervals until the chocolate is melty enough for your satisfaction.
Tips for Storage
You won’t find a serving size listed on my turtles because it’s totally subjective to how many pieces you want to make.
If you just want a couple, reduce the amount of tahini, chocolate, and pecans to accommodate how many dates you decide to “stuff”.
I like to make a bunch, using all of my fresh Medjool dates, and store them in the freezer for future desserts.
Try one straight out of the freezer, while you’re at it, for a frozen treat…you might just love them best this way!
More Vegan Candies
-
Superfood Chocolate Maca Cups
-
Vegan Chocolate Nougat Bars
-
Dark Chocolate Coconut Butter Cups
-
Vegan Salted Snickers Bars
-
4- Ingredient Chocolate Truffles
-
Vegan Salted Snickers Bars
-
Chocolate Caramel SunButter Cups
-
Vegan SunButter Date Caramels
-
Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate Eggs
-
Vegan Peanut Butter Butterfingers
-
Chocolate Dipped Coconut Bars
-
Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls
I Want to Hear From You
If you make this4 Ingredient Tahini Date Turtles recipe, let me know!
Be sure to leave me a comment, rating, and review so I can use your feedback to create more yums.
Give me a shout on Instagram and use #floraandvino to show me your creations.
Check out my Pinterest page to pin more recipes like this one to make later.
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XO Lauren

4-Ingredient Tahini Date Turtles
- Total Time: 15 mins
- Yield: 20 turtles
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Easy vegan turtles with 4 ingredients in less than 10 minutes. Oil-free, gluten-free, and refined-sugar-free, these turtles are the ideal treat!
Ingredients
- ~20 Medjool dates, pitted (the fresher the better)
- ~1 cup whole pecans
- ~1/4 cup runny tahini
- ~1 cup vegan dark chocolate
- sesame seeds (optional for topping)
Instructions
- Piit all of your dates and open them so they’re ready to be filled, (but not broken in half.
- Next, lightly press three pecans into each date to create a triangle shape.
- Fill the center of each date with 1/2 tsp raw tahini by drizzling with a measuring spoon.
- Next, heat your chocolate bar or chocolate chips on the stovetop over medium low, stirring occasionally, until all chocolate is melted.
- With a spoon, drizzle enough chocolate to fill the date and hide where the pecan intersects with the dates. Swirl lightly with the back of a spoon.
- Lastly, sprinkle with white sesame seeds, if desired.
- Serve immediately for a gooey warm treat, or allow to cool and serve for more crunch.
- Store raw turtles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Notes
Recipe inspired by “Five Minute Turtles” from No Meat Athlete Cookbook
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 5 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Vegan, Oil-Free, Gluten-Free, Refined Sugar-Free
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I earn a commission if you use these links. I only recommend brands I love, trust, and can’t keep quiet about!
Hello- Were can I purchase the “raw” tahini?
Thank you,
Lisa
Hi Lisa– this is the Raw Tahini that I use http://www.artisanaorganics.com/nut-butters/raw-tahini/. I also like this brand https://www.soomfoods.com for runny tahini!
Hey there! I don’t have tahini on hand- do you think there is a good substitute for it or is it worth going to buy some?
Hi Sheri! I think nut butter or omitting entirely is a fine substitute! I do highly recommend trying tahini at some point though– it adds a little something special here! Let me know what you think!
What is the maple syrup that I drizzle on in step 5?
Thank you so much for this recipe! I made these for Father’s Day. I made a batch of 20 turtles for a party of 6 – the perfect amount, none leftover. I would have never thought to use tahini to make turtles but it tasted like nougat! They were delicious. Healthy and so cute too. I didn’t have any chocolate bar, so I made some chocolate up with cacao, maple syrup, and coconut oil. Worked just fine.
Hi Michelle! I love that you were able to enjoy these for Father’s Day! ALSO LOVE how none of them were left! Yes, the tahini is just MAGIC here! Love your chocolate sub– cheers!!!
XOXO Lauren