If you're craving a mid-afternoon pick-me-up that is ready in just minutes and gives a natural energy boost, these Tahini-Stuffed Dates will do the trick. This snack almost feels illegal because of its rich, indulgent texture but rest assured it is the perfect snack to satisfy that sweet tooth while reducing your refined sugar intake. What a hack!    

Stuffed dates aren’t a new idea (they’ve been a staple in Middle Eastern kitchens for generations), but this is a recipe with my own little twist. When I’m short on time and looking for a healthier snack, I’ll try to make a version of these stuffed dates. They go a long way when I'm feeling that mid-afternoon crash!

In this recipe, I add some tahini for those healthy fats mixed with sea salt, some fresh orange juice and zest for brightness, and a drizzle of dark chocolate for that perfect salty-sweet balance. 

Warning: You might just get addicted. 

Why you’ll love these stuffed dates

• Naturally sweet: Except for the little sugar in the dark chocolate, this snack is naturally sweet, so it's low in refined sugars! 
• Ready in just 10 minutes: It's SO quick. Just a few simple ingredients put together and you’re done in under 10 minutes. 
• Customizable: Like many of my recipes, you can make it your own. Use any filling or topping you like! You can try other nut butters or even cheese! 
• Meal prep and take on the go: You can batch-make this recipe and keep some for the week on the go. If you want to take it to work, just pop it in a small container and off you go.

Ingredients you’ll need

There’s just a few basic ingredients needed for this recipe: 

• Dates: I like to use Medjool dates for their bigger size and texture. They are also naturally more moist than regular dates. But if you don’t have them on hand then you can use any regular dates. Be sure to adjust the measurements of tahini based on the size.  
• Tahini: You can use store-bought or even make your own fresh at home!
• Orange Juice and Zest: Any fresh oranges from the supermarket work well. For that extra bit of flavor, go for the Navel or Valencia variety.  
• Sea Salt: I use fine sea salt, but coarse or flakes also work. 
• Dark Chocolate: I use 70-80% dark chocolate as the dates are already so sweet. Feel free to use the level of sweetness you prefer. 

Extra tips and Substitutions  

Use any other seed or nut butter. If you don’t like tahini or can’t find it then smooth peanut butter, almond butter or even pistachio butter all taste great in dates. If you want to stay nut-free, you can also look for pumpkin seed or sunflower seed butters.   

Omit the orange. If you don’t like the orange juice or zest flavor, you can omit the orange from this recipe. But I highly recommend adding it in!

Switch up the toppings. Feel free to experiment with different toppings. I also like to add sesame seeds or cacao nibs.

To make it refined-sugar free. If you want to completely omit refined sugars - use 100% dark chocolate or omit the chocolate completely. You can also substitute it for a homemade chocolate spread.  

How to make stuffed dates: 

This recipe just requires a few steps. 

Slice open each date lengthways and remove the pit. Place them on a plate, tray or chopping board.

In a small bowl, mix together the tahini, orange juice and sea salt. 

With a spoon, fill around 1 teaspoon of the tahini mixture into each date.

For the chocolate, you can melt it either in the microwave or using the double-boiler method (also called bain marie):

a) Microwave Method

Break it into chunks and place in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in short bursts of 15-30 seconds, stirring between each interval until melted. Be sure to stir frequently to ensure even melting and prevent burning.  

Once most of the chocolate is melted, let the residual heat finish melting the rest. 

b) Double Boiler Method

To prepare the double boiler, place a heat-safe bowl over a pot of simmering water, ensuring the bowl doesn’t touch the water. 

Add the chocolate in small chunks into the bowl.

Let the chocolate slowly melt, stirring occasionally. Careful not to burn the chocolate. Once most of the chocolate is melted, remove the bowl from the heat and let the residual heat finish melting the rest.  

 

Let the chocolate cool slightly and drizzle with a large spoon over the dates, you can be as generous as you like! 

Lastly, sprinkle some sea salt and orange zest on top of the dates. 

   

You can eat them directly or place them in the fridge for about 20-30 minutes before serving!

FAQs

 

Hope you Enjoy!

If you tried and liked this recipe, please let me know or leave a comment below! I’d love to hear your feedback. Don’t forget to share this recipe with family and friends.

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