Nutrient-dense dates are a staple ingredient in the whole-food, plant-based kitchen, bringing natural sweetness to everything from salads to grain bowls to desserts. And for an easy yet elegant appetizer or a decadent-tasting snack, you can’t beat stuffed dates. Here are five simple yet satisfying stuffed date recipes that come together in just 15 minutes.
With their large size and ultra-pliable texture, plump, candy-like Medjool dates are ideal for stuffing. You can also use Deglet Noor, a smaller, less sweet variety, but you’ll need to use about twice as many dates.
Nut Butter-Pomegranate Stuffed Dates
Ingredients
- 12 large Medjool dates
- ¼ cup no-sugar-added chunky or smooth nut butter (such as peanut, almond, or cashew)
- ¼ cup pomegranate arils
Instructions
- Cut a slit in the side of each date. Pop out the pits, and gently open dates for stuffing.
- In a small bowl stir together nut butter and pomegranate arils.
- Spoon mixture into dates.
Chutney-Walnut Stuffed Dates
Ingredients
- 12 large Medjool dates
- ¼ cup purchased mango chutney
- ¼ cup chopped toasted walnuts
Instructions
- Cut a slit in the side of each date. Pop out the pits, and gently open dates for stuffing.
- In a small bowl stir together chutney and walnuts. Spoon into dates. (Alternatively, stir 12 toasted walnut halves into ¼ cup mango chutney and stuff coated walnut halves into dates.)
Zesty Almond Stuffed Dates
Ingredients
- 12 large Medjool dates
- ⅓ cup chopped toasted almonds
- 2 tablespoons lime juice to coat
- 1½ teaspoons chile-lime seasoning, such as Tajín
Instructions
- Cut a slit in the side of each date. Pop out the pits, and gently open dates for stuffing.
- In a small bowl stir together almonds and lime juice to coat. Drain lime juice. Sprinkle almonds with chile-lime seasoning. Spoon into dates.
Berry-Pistachio Stuffed Dates
Ingredients
- 12 large Medjool dates
- 24 whole fresh blackberries or large red raspberries
- ¼ cup finely chopped pistachios
Instructions
- Cut a slit in the side of each date. Pop out the pits, and gently open dates for stuffing.
- Dip whole berries (halve them if large) in pistachios.
- Stuff berries into dates.
Pecan-Orange Stuffed Dates
Ingredients
- 14 large Medjool dates
- ⅓ cup chopped toasted pecans
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- ¼ teaspoon Aleppo pepper
Instructions
- Cut a slit in the side of each date. Pop out the pits. Finely chop 2 of the dates. Gently open the remaining 12 dates for stuffing.
- In a bowl stir together chopped dates, pecans, orange zest, and Aleppo pepper. Spoon into whole dates.
