a box of baklava stuffed dates

If you a fan of baklava, you’ll love these baklava stuffed dates. They feature all the delicious flavours of baklava in a bite-sized treat which is both nutritious and indulgent!

The caramel-like sweetness of medjool dates is paired with a nutty filling with notes of orange and rose. And I highly recommend going the extra mile and coating the stuffed dates with melted white chocolate. 

These baklava stuffed dates come together very quickly and make an impressive looking treat for special occasions such as Eid, Diwali, and Ramadan. They are sure to be adored by kids and adults alike!

a box of dates stuffed with nuts and coated with chocolate

Health benefits of dates

Dates are known for being deliciously sweet and sticky, but these jewel-like dried fruits also possess some health benefits:

  • Dates are an excellent source of fiber which aids blood sugar control and digestion.
  • Dates are high in antioxidants, which help to reduce inflammation.
  • They are a natural source of energy, making them a great pre- or post-workout snack.
  • Dates contain essential minerals like potassium and magnesium, which contribute to heart health and muscle function.

In this recipe we’ll pair the dates with almonds, walnuts, and pistachios, which offer an additional boost of nutritional value. Win win! 

Why you’ll love this recipe

I just know this recipe will be your next obsession! It’s:

  1. A healthier alternative to traditional baklava – whilst baklava is undoubtedly delicious, the layers of filo pastry and sugar syrup make it a more indulgent treat. These pistachio stuffed dates feature all the flavours of baklava in naturally sweetened form, without sacrificing the nutty richness of baklava.
  2. Perfect for special occasions and gifting – whilst being simple to prepare, these stuffed dates make an impressive looking addition to celebrations, and are great for gifting to friends and family.
  3. Super customisable – This recipe is a good base for a lot of customisations! you can switch up the nuts, add some different flavourings, and experiment with different chocolate toppings.
close up photo of stuffed dates

What ingredients will I need?

To make this moreish recipe, you will need:

  • Dates: I recommend using Palestinian medjool dates for their softness and sweetness. Ensure your dates are large enough to stuff with the filling, soft and chewy for optimal texture, and ethically sourced.
  • Pistachios: If you know me, you’ll know I LOVE pistachio nuts (case in point: my recipes for white chocolate pistachio cookies, pistachio overnight oats and pistachio croissants). And their beautiful green hue makes the final product look so special. 
  • Almonds and walnuts: Baklava is traditionally made with walnuts, or a blend of walnuts and pistachios, so I highly recommend using them in this recipe.
  • Orange zest: A small amount of orange zest goes a long way to add flavour to this recipe, and complements the pistachios beautifully. If you like orange zest, you’ll love my chocolate orange granola too!
  • Rose water: Rose water is another potent ingredient so not much is needed, but it adds a delightful freshness to the stuffed dates. I recommend starting with a small amount then adding more as desired.
  • Coconut oil and honey: These two ingredients will bind the filling so it can be stuffed in the dates. Make sure you use the best quality honey you can find – a lot of supermarket ‘honey’ is really flavoured sugar syrup!
  • White chocolate (optional, for garnish): If you wish (and I recommend you do) you can top the pistachio stuffed dates with some white chocolate and garnish with extra ground pistachio and rose petals.

How to make baklava stuffed dates step-by-step

As always, you can find the full recipe and instructions at the bottom of this blog post.

Begin by preparing the filling: in a small bowl mix together the ground pistachios, almonds and walnuts with honey, coconut oil, rose water and orange zest (photo 1).

At this point, you can taste the filling and add more rose water/ honey/ orange zest if you like. Bear in mind the filling will be stuffed inside sticky medjool dates, so you don’t want to make it overly sweet!

Slice each medjool date in half partway down until you reach the date seed. remove the seed and stuff each date with 1-2 tsp of the filling (photo 2).

If you wish, drizzle the dates in melted white chocolate and garnish with chopped pistachio and rose petals (photo 3).

How to serve and enjoy baklava stuffed dates

You can serve these treats in various ways to enhance their appeal:

  • On a platter: You can arrange the dates beautifully on a tray with other mithai (such as my three ingredient coconut ladoos), dried fruits and nuts. This would be perfect for weddings or for Diwali trays.
  • Alongside tea or coffee – the rich flavours of these dates pair beautifully with mint tea, masala chai or Arabic coffee.
  • As a pre- or post-workout snack – the high energy content from the dates and protein in the nuts make them a great snack for before or after a workout! 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make vegan baklava stuffed dates?

Yes! You can easily make this recipe vegan by swapping the honey for maple syrup, agave syrup or date syrup, and using a vegan-friendly chocolate.

Should I use raw or roasted nuts in this recipe?

You can use raw or roasted nuts in this recipe but I find the depth of flavour from roasted nuts to be slightly tastier alongside the sweetness of the dates.

You can also use a blend of raw and roasted nuts e.g. roasted almonds with raw walnuts – whatever you have on hand!

How long do they last?

These stuffed dates can last up to one week when stored in an airtight container the fridge.

Can I make them ahead of time?

Absolutely! These treats are perfect for making in advance. Simply store them properly, and they’ll be ready to serve whenever needed.

a box of dates stuffed with baklava filling

Variations on this recipe:

This recipe is delicious as is, but you may enjoy one of these tasty variations too:

  • Switch up the chocolate – use dark chocolate for a healthier boost, or milk chocolate if that’s your favourite. You could also experiment with other varieties of chocolate such as ruby chocolate!
  • Experiment with different nuts in the filling – you could use almonds, hazelnuts, cashews, or a blend of any nuts of your choosing!
  • Make a tasty nut-free version – to make this recipe nut-free, you can swap out the nuts for roasted seeds such as sesame, sunflower or pumpkin seeds. You can also mix in some shredded coconut for added flavour.

Whether you’re looking for a healthier alternative to baklava, a treat for a special occasion, or just a new way to enjoy dates, these sweet delights are sure to impress.

I hope you enjoy this recipe! If you make it, please leave a rating + review below and share your photos on Instagram tagging #shivanilovesfood!

a box of baklava stuffed dates

Baklava Stuffed Dates

5 from 1 vote
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Prep20 minutes
Total20 minutes
Serves12 dates
These moreish baklava stuffed dates feature Palestinian medjool dates stuffed with nuts, orange zest, and rose water.
Author: Shivani Raja

Ingredients

  • 12 Medjool Dates ensure your dates are ethically sourced
  • 2 tbsp Shelled Pistachios roasted
  • 1 tbsp Almonds roasted
  • 1 tbsp Walnuts
  • 1/2 tbsp Coconut Oil melted
  • 1/2 tbsp Honey
  • 1/3 tsp Rose Water
  • 1/4 tsp Orange Zest fresh

For the topping (optional)

  • 2 tbsp White Chocolate Chips
  • 1/2 tsp Coconut Oil
  • 1 tbsp Shelled Pistachios roasted and ground
  • 1 tsp Rose Petals crushed

Instructions

  • If you plan to garnish your stuffed dates with chopped pistachio nuts, I recommend grinding these first separately then grinding the rest of the nuts. Otherwise, proceed to step 2.
  • Add the pistachios, almonds and walnuts to a blender or food processor and grind until coarse. Decant these into a medium-sized mixing bowl.
  • Add the melted coconut oil, honey, rose water and orange zest to the nuts and mix together until combined. At this point, taste a small amount of the filling and add more rose water, orange zest or honey if desired. Remember that this filling is going inside dates, so we don't want it to be overly sweet!
  • Take each date and slice it in half partway down until you hit the seed. Remove the seed then open up the date slightly to allow you to fill it with the mixture.
  • Add about 1-2 tsp of the baklava filling to each date, packing it into the dates with your fingers or a small spoon. Repeat this with the rest of the dates until the filling has run out.
  • Optional: If you wish, melt the white chocolate with the coconut oil and drizzle over the dates, then top with ground pistachios and chopped rose petals. Allow the chocolate to set in the fridge then enjoy your stuffed dates!

Notes

  • Stuffed dates will store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
  • See the above blog post for recipe variations and substitutions.

Nutrition

Serving: 1dateCalories: 117kcalCarbohydrates: 23.9gProtein: 1.8gFat: 2.7gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 8mgFiber: 2.5gSugar: 19.9g
Tried this recipe?Mention @shivani.lovesfood or tag #shivanilovesfood!

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