These Walnut Stuffed Dates may be the easiest holiday treat I have ever made. With only three ingredients and 10 minutes, you have a sweet, chewy little bite with a wonderful walnut crunch.

I love having simple treats like these during the holidays. They look beautiful on a dessert or cheese platter, require no baking, and somehow disappear faster than anything else on the table. They are equally delicious in salads, where their sweetness can balance fresh greens and savory ingredients, as in my Savory Cresson, Garbanzo Beans, Date Salad.

Dates stuffed with walnuts and covered with sugar served in a plate

Recipe Overview: Walnut Stuffed Dates

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: None
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Servings: 2 dozen
  • Flavor & Texture: Naturally sweet and chewy dates filled with crunchy walnuts and finished with a delicate sugar coating.
  • Difficulty: Easy. Only three ingredients and a few minutes of preparation are needed.
  • Why this Recipe? These Walnut Stuffed Dates are the perfect last-minute holiday treat. They are quick, beautiful on a dessert or cheese platter, and require no baking.
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The holidays have always been about sharing for me, especially when something homemade is involved. I love making a few favorite treats for family and friends, whether it is a batch of cookies or one of my easy Christmas desserts.

There is something so special about giving a little sweet treat made in your own kitchen. And, of course, making them is half the fun.

In this Article

A Note From Giangi

Only three ingredients, dates, walnuts, and sugar — are all you need.

Ready in 10 minutes: No baking, cooking, or complicated preparation.

Perfect for the holidays: These little bites look beautiful on a Christmas dessert platter or alongside cheeses and crackers.

Wonderful texture: Soft, chewy dates surround crunchy walnuts, while the sugar adds a delicate sweetness to every bite.

Giangi

What are Walnut Stuffed Dates?

Walnut stuffed dates are soft, naturally sweet dates filled with crunchy walnuts and lightly rolled in sugar. They take only 10 minutes to prepare and make a wonderful holiday dessert, snack, or addition to a cheese board.

I love dates and have been known to eat quite a few straight from the box. They are sweet, chewy, and so satisfying that keeping a little moderation in mind is probably my best advice with this recipe.

Dates are the fruit of the date palm and are grown primarily in the Middle East and North Africa. Although there are hundreds of varieties, Medjool and Deglet Noor are the two you will most often find at the grocery store. Medjool dates are larger, softer, and wonderfully caramel-like, making them especially easy to stuff.

You can buy them pitted or with the pits still inside. I prefer pitted dates when I want to save a little time, although removing the pit yourself only takes a moment.

If you love cooking with dates, my creamy rice pudding with dates is another simple way to enjoy their natural sweetness.

Dates are wonderful in savory recipes, too. I use them with dried cranberries and almonds in my Persian saffron rice with dates and nuts, where their sweetness beautifully balances the savory flavors.

For these stuffed dates, my only real tip is to use the freshest walnuts you can find. With a recipe this simple, every ingredient gets its moment to shine.

Key Ingredients

Old fashioned stuffed dates with walnuts and covered with sugar

Dates: Choose plump, soft dates. Medjool dates are particularly good because they are large and easy to fill.

Walnuts: Use the freshest walnuts you can find. Toasting them briefly gives them even more flavor and crunch.

Granulated sugar: A light coating gives the dates that pretty holiday finish and adds a delicate crunch.

Substitutes and Variations

Swap the walnuts for pecans or almonds, or add a pinch of cinnamon for a warm holiday touch.

For something a little richer, drizzle the stuffed dates with melted chocolate. If you love that combination, my dark chocolate ganache tart is another wonderful chocolate dessert to try.

For a savory version, tuck in a little goat cheese, cream cheese, or blue cheese with the walnut. You can also wrap the dates in bacon and bake until crisp for that delicious sweet-and-salty combination.

How to Make Walnut Stuffed Dates

Step 1: If using dates with pits, make a small lengthwise slit in each date and gently remove the pit without cutting all the way through.

Step 2: Fill the center of each date with the chopped walnuts, then gently press the sides of the date together.

Step 3: Place the sugar in a shallow dish and lightly roll each stuffed date in the sugar until coated.

Step 4: Arrange on a serving platter and enjoy immediately, or store until ready to serve.

Walnut stuffed dates served on a white milk plate over a holiday runner.

Giangi’s Pro Tips

Choose soft, plump dates: They are much easier to open and stuff without tearing.

Use fresh walnuts: Since there are only a few ingredients, freshness really matters here.

Do not overfill: A small amount of walnut is enough. You want the date to close easily around it.

Make them ahead: These are perfect for holiday entertaining because you can prepare them in advance and keep them covered until ready to serve.

What to Serve with Walnut Stuffed Dates

These little bites are lovely on a holiday dessert platter, but I also enjoy serving them as part of a cheese board with creamy cheeses, crackers, and fresh fruit.

For something savory to go with them, try my mushroom goat cheese toasts or a simple selection of cured meats and cheeses.

They are also perfect with coffee or tea when you want just a little something sweet after dinner.

Storage 

Store: Storing walnut-stuffed dates is a breeze. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to one month, ensuring they are well sealed to prevent the dates from drying out. 

For the best texture, let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving.

Walnut Stuffed Dates FAQs

Can I use dried dates for this recipe? 

You can use dried dates in a pinch for this walnut stuffed dates recipe, but fresh dates are preferred for their moist and chewy texture.

Do I need to soak the walnuts before using them? 

No, you don’t need to soak the walnuts for this recipe. However, toasting them can enhance their flavor and crunch.

Can I use other sweeteners instead of sugar for coating? 

You can use alternatives like powdered erythritol or stevia for a lower-calorie option or cinnamon sugar for a spiced variant.

Are these walnut-stuffed dates gluten-free? 

Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free. Just make sure any additional ingredients you choose to add are also gluten-free.

Can I make these walnut-stuffed dates vegan? 

This recipe is naturally vegan as it only contains dates and walnuts. Ensure any additional ingredients or substitutes you use are vegan as well.

Dates stuffed with walnuts close up and served on a white plate.

More Holiday Recipes You Will Love

If you tried this Walnut Stuffed Dates or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below.

Walnut Stuffed Dates

5 from 11 votes
walnut stuffed dates
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 2 dozen
Author: Giangi Townsend
Easy Walnut Stuffed Dates made with just three ingredients in 10 minutes. A sweet, chewy holiday treat filled with crunchy walnuts.
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Ingredients 

Instructions

  • Remove the pit inside the dates if any by making an incision on the length of the date
  • Stuff with walnuts and pinch together
  • Place the 1/4 cup sugar in a small dish. Roll the dates in the sugar.

Notes

Swap the walnuts for pecans or almonds, or add a pinch of cinnamon for a warm holiday touch.
For something a little richer, drizzle the stuffed dates with melted chocolate. If you love that combination, my dark chocolate ganache tart is another wonderful chocolate dessert to try.
For a savory version, tuck in a little goat cheese, cream cheese, or blue cheese with the walnut. You can also wrap the dates in bacon and bake until crisp for that delicious sweet-and-salty combination.

Nutrition

Calories: 304kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Potassium: 168mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 29g | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 0.8mg

Giangi’s Kitchen provides nutritional information, but these figures should be considered estimates, as a registered dietician does not calculate them.

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