When you snack a lot, you tend to prepare the same things over and over again. Yogurt with nutella, cheese and crackers, a sliced apple with peanut butter, a handful of raw almonds when you’re feeling particularly virtuous. Maybe you wouldn’t exactly call it a snacking rut, but a snacking routine. You’ve got to find those calories to get through the conference calls or grading marathons, so you make the same sensible, reliable decision every time.
But, rut or no rut, sometimes you want to make something a little extra special. You might have guests visiting from out of town, or maybe you just want to treat yourself. Either way, it’s even better if you can make something exciting, healthy, and delicious without a lot of effort. The answer? The stuffed date.
Dates are perfect for stuffing, since they are left with that huge gap after you pit them. Why not replace the thing that’s just waiting there for you to forget it exists so that you end up cracking a tooth and needing emergency dental care, with something edible that perfectly compliments the date’s lovely flavor and texture. The trick is to carefully make an incision in one side, pop the pit out, and open it like a baked potato or one of those rubber coin purses. Then just fill it with whatever you choose! (Just not broccoli-cheddar or nickels and pennies). Experiment with your own fillings, or choose one of the examples below.
Below: rainbow tiramisu date, chocolate-covered pretzel date, Nana’s date, baklawa date
herby cheesy date, salted peanut butter chocolate date, retro 1995 date, dinner date
stuffed dates eight ways
Instructions
rainbow tiramisu date
Roll the date in Turkish coffee and cocoa powder, fill it with honey-sweetened mascarpone, and top it with some rainbow sprinkles.
chocolate-covered pretzel date
Stuff the date with a pretzel nugget and dip the bottom and sides in chocolate. (vegan)
nana’s date
Stuff the date with a walnut piece and unsweetened coconut flakes, or roll it in sweetened coconut flakes. (vegan)
baklawa date
Stuff the date with a walnut piece and pack a small pinch of cardamom, finely chopped pistachios, and (optional) edible dried rose petals into the rest of the space. (vegan)
herby cheesy date
Stuff the date with a chunk of fontina (or another firm cheese) wrapped in basil, or sprinkled with another herb.
salted chocolate peanut butter date
Stuff the date with smooth peanut butter, top with an almond and some crunchy sea salt, and dip the bottom in chocolate. (vegan)
dinner date
Stuff the date with a slice of brie and a pecan.
Retro 1995 date
Stuff the date with goat cheese and some sun-dried tomato pieces, and top with basil chiffonade.
Can I just say how much I love your blog and how awesome these recipes are? You.are.wonderful!
Thank you so much Jacqueline! I’m really glad you’re enjoying the recipes. Thanks again for the very kind words.
Ah-MA-zing! Your blog is the first professional Assyrian one i’ve seen. Your photographs are just brilliant and inspiring. I’m not a fan of dates, but that latest recipe you shared, I can’t wait to try 🙂
Aw thanks so much for the kind words! If you’re looking for more good stuff online, Assyrian Kitchen is really fantastic, as well as Boushala (a Chaldean food blog). And there are so many great Middle Eastern food blogs/series out there (Saffron Tales, Maureen Abood, Lara Ariss, Add A Little Lemon, Almond and Fig, Abeer’s Day Off). I’m probably leaving out a ton! Hope you keep enjoying the recipes and photos. Happy cooking and naneelokh! 🙂
I’ve never been a date fan but these recipes have changed me! My favorites are the Herby Cheesy and the Retro 1995. Thanks!!
I’m so glad you like them! 🙂
This Recipe is so tasty and delicious.Yor way of teaching and ingredients are also an easy there is good for me
I am very crazy about food
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Thank you so much for the very kind words. Your website looks phenomenal! The food all looks absolutely delicious and that’s so cool that you’re working in both Urdu and English! Feel free to email me at [email protected] if you want to talk more. Hope to hear from you!
Clever, I’m inspired for my birthday afternoon tea. Love dates and pretty food 🙂
I’m so glad you liked the stuffed date ideas and I’m so happy to hear you’ll be making some of them for your birthday tea. Happy birthday to you! 🙂
I just found this, and totally love the ideas. Thanks for sharing;)
Aw you’re so welcome, and I’m so glad you’re enjoying them! 🙂
Dates are so good! And the more ways they can be served, the better. I will try these for my next gathering of family, if not for just my husband and me! Delicious!
Totally agreed, yay dates! 🙂 Hope you and your family enjoy these combinations!
I stuff dates with chorizo sausage then wrap bacon around the date and either fry or bake them. Delicious with the sweet and spicy tastes.
On yum!! 😀
Love these ideas. Eating the stuffed with goat cheese and wrapped in bacon with balsamic on top is good too.
Yum, sounds divine!
These sound delicious. Looking forward tp using a few on the 4th..
Aw that’s awesome! Hope you enjoyed!
Sound Awesome
thanks! 😀
Hi! I would like to make these ahead and take to a family gathering. How should they be stored? Thank you!
Oh good question! It depends on which ones you choose. If you go with one that has cheese or another perishable ingredient, be sure to refrigerate them. Otherwise, they can be left at cool room temperature. Feel free to stuff them and then pack them into a food storage container—try to find one with a snug fit so they still look cute when they arrive at their destination.