These East Stuffed Dates are an excellent gluten-free snack option, especially when you're in the mood for something sweet that's actually good for you to. Check out my honey nuts clusters recipe for another healthy snack option!
Can you think of any fruit that is more Middle Eastern in origin than dates? Dates, which are not dried fruit, but are actually fresh, have been cultivated in the Middle East for thousands of years.
Before cupcakes, candy, and desserts were a thing, dates were being enjoyed in the Middle East as a healthy, and naturally sweet snack which provided the energy required for everyday living.
Dates are still considered a great energy source, whether you enjoy them before a work out, or anytime you want a naturally sweet snack. But why have plain dates when you can have these incredible walnut stuffed dates with cardamom and coconut?
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🧐 Why This Recipe Works
- Stuffed dates are loaded with nutrients!
- Although you can find recipes for mascarpone, blue cheese, and bacon stuffed/wrapped dates, I like to keep it simple. All you need to do is replace the date pit with a walnut, or almond, and sprinkle or dip the date in shredded coconut. The sprinkle of cardamom is optional!
- As an alternative, brush the inside of the date with tahini paste, stuff with almonds or walnuts, and sprinkle with sesame seeds. No matter which method you use, I promise it will be easy and delicious!
- Stuffed dates can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the fridge for when you are craving something sweet!
🛒 What You Need For This Recipe
🔖 Ingredients & Substitutions
- Dates: I recommend Medjool dates over Deglet Noor dates. They're much larger and and have a softer texture which makes them ideal for stuffing!
- Nuts: I prefer walnuts but you can also use pecans, almonds, pistachios, or cashews.
- Spices: If you don't have cardamom, you can use cinnamon instead or leave it off completely.
- Coconut: You have the option of sweetened or unsweetened coconut. If you don't like coconut, you can simple leave it off.
🍽 How to Make Stuffed Dates
Step 1: Sprinkle cardamom over coconut and mix to combine. Use a sharp paring knife to make a slit into the dates, then remove pits. You can either stuff the whole date or slice it into two pieces. Fill dates with walnuts, whole almond, or nut of choice.
Step 2: Sprinkle coconut over the dates, pressing the coconut into the dates, if necessary.
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Other Stuffed Dates Ideas
- Mix cardamom with softened Date Paste and shape around a walnut or an almond. Roll the stuffed dates in shredded coconut or sesame seeds.
- Brush the inside of the split dates with tahini paste, peanut butter, cashew butter, or favorite nut butter before adding a nut.
- Drizzle stuffed dates with honey or melted chocolate.
- To stuff dates with cheese choose goat cheese, plain cream cheese, or vegan cream cheese.
- Some people even stuff dates with other fruit and fresh herbs including raspberries, bananas, basil, rosemary, and thyme!
If you're looking for other date recipes, you'll want to check out these old fashioned date cookies. They have a tender cookie shell with a sweet date filling!
🤷🏻♀️ Recipe FAQs
If you want a sinfully-sweet snack to satisfy your sweet tooth, look no further. Dates are loaded with Polyphenols (antioxidants, that protect your body from inflammation).
They are high in fiber, potassium, and B-6. Dates are also loaded with minerals like copper, magnesium, calcium, and iron. So in comparison to other empty-calorie snacks, dates win hands down.
All dates are not created equal. My favorite dates to stuff are Medjool dates. I usually find them at Costco, but they can be purchased elsewhere, including on Amazon.
What makes Medjool dates my favorite? They are plump, moist, and larger than other dates. To see what I mean, just look at the pictures below to see a comparison between Deglet Noor dates, and Medjool dates. Medjools are very easy to stuff, whereas you can barely fit the walnuts inside the Deglet Noor dates.
Medjool Dates in comparison to Deglet Noor dates. Notice how tiny Deglet Noor dates are. Which would you rather stuff?
👩🏼🍳 Pro Tips
- To make your own paste, check out my Date Paste and date Kileche recipes. However, I won't judge you if you buy premade Date Paste.
- Stuffed dates are perfect to serve at parties or potlucks. They can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to serve.
- You can also use dates to make your own Date Syrup/Molasses.
- Stuffed Dates can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container or left on the counter.
- Refrigerated dates will keep for months when refrigerated.
- You can also freeze stuffed dates.
🍎 Related Recipes
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📖 Recipe
Easy Stuffed Dates
Ingredients
- ¼ teaspoon cardamom powder
- ⅓ cup shredded coconut
- 20 Medjool dates
- 20 walnut halves
Instructions
- Sprinkle cardamom over coconut and mix to combine. Use a sharp paring knife to make a slit into the dates, then remove pits. You can either stuff the whole date or slice it into two pieces. Fill dates with walnuts or other nuts.
- Sprinkle coconut over the dates, pressing the coconut into the dates, if necessary.
Notes
- To make your own paste, check out my Date Paste and date Kilecherecipes. However, I won't judge you if you buy premade Date Paste.
- Stuffed dates are perfect to serve at parties or potlucks. They can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to serve.
- Cardamom adds a delicious flavor to stuffed dates, but you can leave it out if you have to. Instead, use a pinch of cinnamon.
- You can also use dates to make your own Date Syrup/Molasses.
- Stuffed Dates can be stored in the fridge or left on the counter. However, I recommend storing the stuffed dates in an air-tight container. Dates stored in the refrigerator will still be good to eat for months!
Harbinder says
Love the stuffed dates!
What is he shelf life please?
I was thinking of making these and gifting but wondered if they have to be kept in the fridge?
Hilda Sterner says
Since I don't refrigerate any of those ingredients on their own, I think the stuffed dates should be fine unrefrigerated.
Elif Kadir says
Wow this recipe is so delicious.my friend wants recipe:)
HildaSterner says
Thank you, Elif! Send your friend over to my blog. Maybe they can find other recipes to try too!