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Almond Butter Stuffed Dates Iftar Starter Recipe
Easy almond butter stuffed dates recipe for a quick, healthy Iftar starter or snack. Vegan, gluten-free and ready in minutes.
Dates Stuffed with Almond Butter is a quick, no-cook appetiser that pairs naturally sweet, soft Medjool dates with a creamy filling of unsweetened almond butter and a light sprinkle of sea salt or crushed nuts for added texture. Commonly prepared in the Middle East and increasingly popular worldwide, this bite-sized snack is especially favoured during Ramadan as an Iftar starter, providing a nutritious boost of natural sugars, fibre, and healthy fats to help replenish energy after a day of fasting. Requiring just a handful of pantry ingredients and minimal assembly time, the recipe offers an elegant balance of sweetness and nuttiness while remaining vegan, gluten-free, and refined-sugar-free.
Almond Butter Stuffed Dates Iftar Starter Recipe
These stuffed dates come together in quantities large or small and stay fresh without refrigeration for several hours, so they’re ideal when you’re juggling multiple Iftar dishes. Feel free to riff on the core idea—pistachio butter, tahini, or a dusting of cacao nibs all work—letting you tailor the flavour profile to whatever’s already in your pantry.
Prep Time
15 minutes
15 minutes
Cook Time
0 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time
30 minutes
30 minutes
Ingredients
Medjool dates, large, pitted – 12 pieces
- Almond butter, unsweetened & smooth – 6 tbsp
- Optional / suggested additions that elevate flavour or texture:
- Roasted whole almonds – 12 pieces
- Dark chocolate (50–70 % cocoa), melted for drizzle – 50 g
- Desiccated coconut, lightly toasted – 2 tbsp
- Flaky sea salt – 1 pinch
- Ground cinnamon – ¼ tsp
- Honey or maple syrup (to sweeten almond butter if preferred) – 1 tsp
Method
Wash your hands thoroughly
- Wipe and sanitize the work surface
- Rinse the dates under cool running water
- Pat the dates dry with a clean kitchen towel
- Lay the dried dates on a cutting board
- Slice each date lengthwise on one side to create a slit
- Pull the slit gently apart to expose the pit
- Remove the pit from the date and discard it
- Spoon almond butter into the hollow left by the pit
- Repeat stuffing until all dates are filled
- Press one toasted almond onto the almond butter in each date if desired
- Arrange the stuffed dates neatly on a serving platter
- Dust a light pinch of flaky sea salt over the stuffed dates
- Cover the platter with cling film and refrigerate for ten minutes
- Take the platter out of the refrigerator and let the dates sit for five minutes
- Serve the almond butter stuffed dates at room temperature as an Iftar starter
Nutrition (whole recipe)
Calories
1826 kcal Protein
31 g Fat
84 g Carbs
279 g Fiber
36 g Sugar
229 g
1826 kcal Protein
31 g Fat
84 g Carbs
279 g Fiber
36 g Sugar
229 g
Notes
Chef’s Note: Lightly warm the dates for 10–15 seconds in the microwave before filling—heat loosens the flesh so you can slip out the pit cleanly and pack in more almond butter. For extra crunch, roll the stuffed dates in finely chopped roasted almonds or sesame seeds just before serving.
why this recipe
Silky-sweet Medjool dates cradling a creamy swirl of almond butter turn a simple tradition into a jewel-box treat, and that instant harmony between caramel notes and nutty richness is exactly why this almond butter stuffed dates recipe deserves a spot on every Iftar table. It requires almost no prep, yet delivers nourishing energy, elegant presentation, and a satisfying contrast of textures that feels both indulgent and wholesome; with just a handful of whole-food ingredients, you offer guests a naturally sweet bite that awakens the palate without weighing it down—proof that the most memorable starters are often the simplest ones done brilliantly.
FAQs
FAQ acf
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these almond-butter stuffed dates ahead of time, and how long will they stay fresh?
Yes—assemble the stuffed dates up to 2–3 days in advance, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator; they’ll stay plump and flavour-fresh that long. If kept at cool room temperature (e.g., on an Iftar table), they remain perfectly fine for about 6–8 hours.
What nut-free fillings can I use if someone is allergic to almonds?
Swap the almond butter for seed-based options such as sunflower-seed butter, tahini (sesame paste), or pumpkin-seed butter, all of which deliver the same creamy richness without any tree-nut proteins. Coconut butter or a small spoonful of softened cream cheese/ricotta also work if dairy is acceptable, and you can still finish with toppings like toasted sesame seeds, cacao nibs, or a pinch of flaky salt for extra flair.
Can I use a different variety of dates if Medjool dates aren’t available?
Yes—you can substitute other soft, plump varieties such as Deglet Noor, Zahidi, or Khudri; just keep in mind they’re usually smaller and a bit drier than Medjools. If the dates feel firm, briefly soak them in warm water for 5 minutes and pat dry before stuffing so they regain the lush texture needed to hold the almond butter.