Healthy Baklava Stuffed Dates
Inspired by the classic Mediterranean dessert baklava, my healthy Baklava Stuffed Dates with pistachios uses whole pitted dates instead of Phyllo dough to carry the ingredients and flavors.
Be Sure To Try My Healthy Reese’s Cups Next!
Naturally sweet, with a sticky crumbly middle, a decadent coating of chocolate, and topped with a crunch of pistachios, these flavors complement each other perfectly. Traditional baklava calls for layers upon layers of paper-thin Phyllo dough, which can be tricky and time-consuming. Try my recipe using dates instead and save yourself the hassle and the headache. Plus, it tastes so much like regular baklava, but healthier! When you take a bite, you may forget where you are and envision yourself lounging under the sun on a beautiful Greek isle.
The Perfect Holiday Treat
Are you tired of loading up on treats during the holidays and just wishing there was something sweetly satisfying without all the extra calories? Are you tired of all the cookies, cakes, and candies with their resulting bloating, inflammation, and fatigue? If you answered yes, then this post is for you! While it’s fun to celebrate the holidays with all the traditional sweets, it can easily become too much. My healthy Baklava Stuffed Dates recipe allows you to indulge your sweet tooth without the guilt! This dessert is as simple as it is real. It looks fancy, but any Homemaker can pull it off! You can make it as a dessert for your family, or take it to a Christmas party, or serve it up as a hostess gift. My daughter and I love to share this with friends. I promise you this is your perfect new Holiday Treat!
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What Food Processor To Use
Above in the “What You’ll Need” section, I included a food processor. This handy kitchen tool makes it so easy to chop nuts and blend sticky ingredients such as honey or dates. You want the crumbly texture and consistency, so use whatever food processor you have; however, I wanted to share my recommendation.
I love my mini Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus Processor. You can find it on Amazon here.
A Spin on Chocolate-Dipped Nuts
One of the most commonly gifted food items at Christmas is some version of chocolate-dipped nuts. Nuts are a great carrier for chocolate, and they’re easily dressed up. I decided, ‘Why not mix it up a little and use dates?’ Dates are the perfect carrier for a holiday treat because they are already sweet, and they can be dipped, sliced, pitted, or chopped to make a great base for many different desserts. The popular players are all here; it’s just dressed up a little differently. In my recipes, I use a mixture of walnuts, pecans, almonds, and shelled pistachios. Then there’s obviously the chocolate, and I prefer to use the brand Enjoy Life semi-sweet chips. Once you have your Medjool dates and a few other pantry staples, you’re ready to make healthy Baklava Stuffed Dates!
How To Make Baklava-Stuffed Dates
The first step is to make sure your Medjool dates are pitted and open. For this recipe, I can usually make about 30 stuffed dates. Now you can get to work on the filling. In your food processor, you’ll finely chop your shelled pistachios separately. Set these aside. Reserve some for the topping, while most of it will go in the filling. Next, finely chop the remaining nuts, honey, cinnamon, butter, and orange zest. Pulse until you get a nice crumb texture. Spoon small amounts of filling into dates, making sure you can still close the dates.
Turning your attention to the chocolate, melt your chocolate chips on low heat with a double boiler or microwave. I add a little coconut oil to help my chocolate stay smooth as it melts. Once the chocolate is melted, use a fork to dip each stuffed date, tapping off any extra chocolate.
Lastly, dust each date with the remaining pistachio crumbs. Now you can set these aside on parchment paper. Refrigerate for at least one hour and store in the refrigerator for up to one week. Or you can leave them out on the countertop for 3-4 days. Once they’re hardened, you can arrange them in a cookie tin or box to serve or gift to friends. Try adding these to your traditional treats, and I know you will be making them year after year! Enjoy!
other recipes you may enjoy:
- Pumpkin Oatmeal Energy Bites
- Chocolate Chip Candy Cane Cookies (GF/V)
- Recipe for Sugar Cookies (GF/V)
- Healthy No-Bake Cookies
Healthy Baklava Stuffed Dates
Ingredients
- 30 Medjool dates, pitts removed
- 4 Tbsp shelled pistachios, divided
- 3 Tbsp honey
- 2 Tbsp raw almonds
- 2 Tbsp raw walnuts or pecans
- 1 Tbsp softened butter or coconut oil
- 1 Tbsp orange zest (optional)
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 package Enjoy Life semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 Tbsp coconut oil
Instructions
- In a food processor, add pistachios and process until they are the consistency of bread crumbs. Take 2 Tbsp out and reserve for sprinkling on top.
- To the food processor add the almonds, walnuts, honey, cinnamon, butter, and orange zest. Pulse until you get a nice crumb texture.
- Spoon small amounts into each date, just enough where you can still close the date.
- Using a double broiler or microwave, melt chocolate chips with 1 tbsp of coconut oil.
- Use a fork to dip each stuffed date into the chocolate, tap with the fork on the side of the bowl to get any excess off.
- Top each date with pistachio crumbs, and place on parchment paper.
- Place the dates in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. Store in the refrigerator for 1 week, or out on the countertop for 3-4 days.
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