Apple Cinnamon Stuffed Dates – A Cozy, Bite-Sized Treat

These Apple Cinnamon Stuffed Dates taste like a tiny slice of warm apple pie, tucked into a soft, caramel-like shell. They’re sweet, spiced, and satisfying, with a little crunch in every bite. You only need a few ingredients, and they come together in minutes with zero baking.

Serve them as a snack, a festive party bite, or a light dessert that feels indulgent without being heavy. If you love simple recipes with big flavor, this one will be your go-to.

Apple Cinnamon Stuffed Dates - A Cozy, Bite-Sized Treat

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Servings 12 servings

Ingredients

  

• Medjool dates (12 large): Soft, plump, and ideal for stuffing. Deglet Noor works in a pinch, but Medjool is best.
• Creamy nut butter (1/3 cup): Almond, cashew, or peanut butter. Choose unsweetened and smooth.
• Apple (1 small, finely diced): Honeycrisp, Gala, or Pink Lady for sweetness and crunch.
• Ground cinnamon (1 teaspoon): The star spice—warm and aromatic.
• Vanilla extract (1/2 teaspoon): Adds a bakery-style note.
• Pinch of salt: Balances sweetness and lifts the flavors.
• Optional add-ins: Maple syrup or honey (1–2 teaspoons) for extra sweetness
• Chopped toasted walnuts or pecans (2–3 tablespoons) for crunch
• Ground nutmeg or cardamom (a pinch) for depth
• Dark chocolate (1–2 ounces), melted for drizzling
• Lemon zest (1/2 teaspoon) to brighten the filling

Instructions

 

• Prep the dates: Use a small knife to slice each date lengthwise and remove the pit. Don’t cut all the way through—leave them hinged like a little pocket.
• Dice the apple: Cut into tiny pieces so they fold into the filling without poking out. Smaller cubes make for a cleaner, easier-to-stuff mixture.
• Make the filling: In a bowl, stir together the nut butter, cinnamon, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. If your nut butter is thick, warm it for 10–15 seconds to soften. Fold in the diced apple and any optional nuts. Taste and adjust sweetness with maple or honey if you like.
• Stuff the dates: Use a small spoon or piping bag to fill each date with about 1 to 2 teaspoons of the apple-cinnamon mixture. Don’t overfill or they’ll be messy to eat.
• Optional drizzle: Melt dark chocolate in short bursts in the microwave, stirring between bursts. Drizzle over the stuffed dates and let it set for a few minutes.
• Chill briefly (optional): Pop them into the fridge for 10–15 minutes to firm up and help the flavors meld.
• Serve: Arrange on a platter and finish with a light dusting of cinnamon or a touch of lemon zest if using.

What Makes This Recipe So Good

• Big flavor, minimal work: The dates bring natural caramel sweetness, while apples, cinnamon, and vanilla deliver cozy pie vibes—no oven required.
• Perfect texture balance: Chewy dates, creamy filling, and crisp apple bits make each bite interesting.
• Customizable: Swap nuts, change spices, or drizzle with chocolate—easy to adapt to your pantry or dietary needs.
• Great for meal prep: They store well and taste even better after the flavors meld in the fridge.
• Naturally sweet: No refined sugar needed. The sweetness comes mostly from the dates and apple, with optional maple if you like.

What You’ll Need

• Medjool dates (12 large): Soft, plump, and ideal for stuffing.

  Deglet Noor works in a pinch, but Medjool is best.

• Creamy nut butter (1/3 cup): Almond, cashew, or peanut butter. Choose unsweetened and smooth.
• Apple (1 small, finely diced): Honeycrisp, Gala, or Pink Lady for sweetness and crunch.
• Ground cinnamon (1 teaspoon): The star spice—warm and aromatic.
• Vanilla extract (1/2 teaspoon): Adds a bakery-style note.
• Pinch of salt: Balances sweetness and lifts the flavors.
• Optional add-ins:
  • Maple syrup or honey (1–2 teaspoons) for extra sweetness
  • Chopped toasted walnuts or pecans (2–3 tablespoons) for crunch
  • Ground nutmeg or cardamom (a pinch) for depth
  • Dark chocolate (1–2 ounces), melted for drizzling
  • Lemon zest (1/2 teaspoon) to brighten the filling

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prep the dates: Use a small knife to slice each date lengthwise and remove the pit. Don’t cut all the way through—leave them hinged like a little pocket.
2. Dice the apple: Cut into tiny pieces so they fold into the filling without poking out.

   Smaller cubes make for a cleaner, easier-to-stuff mixture.

3. Make the filling: In a bowl, stir together the nut butter, cinnamon, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. If your nut butter is thick, warm it for 10–15 seconds to soften. Fold in the diced apple and any optional nuts.

   Taste and adjust sweetness with maple or honey if you like.

4. Stuff the dates: Use a small spoon or piping bag to fill each date with about 1 to 2 teaspoons of the apple-cinnamon mixture. Don’t overfill or they’ll be messy to eat.
5. Optional drizzle: Melt dark chocolate in short bursts in the microwave, stirring between bursts. Drizzle over the stuffed dates and let it set for a few minutes.
6. Chill briefly (optional): Pop them into the fridge for 10–15 minutes to firm up and help the flavors meld.
7. Serve: Arrange on a platter and finish with a light dusting of cinnamon or a touch of lemon zest if using.

How to Store

• Refrigerator: Keep in an airtight container for 4–5 days.

  The texture holds well, and the flavors deepen.

• Freezer: Freeze on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Store up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge for a few hours.
• Make-ahead tip: If you’re prepping for a party, stuff them the day before and add any chocolate drizzle the day of serving.

Health Benefits

• Fiber-rich: Dates and apples both bring soluble and insoluble fiber, which can support digestion and help keep you full.
• Nutrient-dense sweetness: Dates offer potassium, magnesium, and antioxidants.

  Apples add vitamin C and polyphenols.

• Healthy fats: Nut butter contributes satisfying fats and a bit of protein to steady energy.
• No refined sugar needed: The natural sugars in dates and apples satisfy sweet cravings without a heavy sugar crash.

What Not to Do

• Don’t skip the salt: A tiny pinch makes everything taste more balanced and less cloying.
• Don’t overstuff: Too much filling spills out and makes them difficult to pick up, especially for guests.
• Don’t use mealy apples: Soft or mealy apples lose their crunch. Choose crisp varieties for the best texture.
• Don’t use dry, tough dates: If your dates are firm, soak them in warm water for 5 minutes, then pat dry before filling.
• Don’t add wet ingredients without adjusting: If you add maple syrup or lemon juice, compensate with more nut butter or finely chopped nuts so the filling stays thick.

Alternatives

• Dairy-free “cheesecake” twist: Mix dairy-free cream cheese with cinnamon, vanilla, and apple bits for a tangy filling.
• Seedy crunch: Replace nuts with pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds for a nut-free crunch.
• Spice variations: Swap cinnamon for pumpkin pie spice, or add cardamom for a fragrant, café-style twist.
• Citrus brightness: Stir in lemon or orange zest to cut the sweetness and add a fresh note.
• Protein boost: Whisk in a teaspoon of vanilla protein powder to the nut butter, thinning with a few drops of water if needed.
• Chocolate lovers: Stuff with almond butter and mini dark chocolate chips, then finish with a light drizzle.

FAQ

Can I use a different type of date?

Yes. Medjool dates are ideal because they’re larger and softer, but Deglet Noor will work.

If using smaller dates, slice more of them and use less filling per piece.

What nut butter works best?

Almond butter gives a mild, cozy flavor that pairs well with apples and cinnamon. Cashew butter is creamy and neutral. Peanut butter works too, but the flavor is stronger.

Choose what you like and what fits your diet.

How do I make them nut-free?

Use sunflower seed butter or tahini in place of nut butter, and swap chopped nuts with pumpkin or sunflower seeds. The texture and richness will still be great.

Do I need to peel the apple?

No. Leave the peel on for extra fiber and color.

Just dice it small so the pieces blend into the filling and are easy to stuff.

Can I make these ahead for a party?

Absolutely. Stuff them up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate. Add the chocolate drizzle and final dusting of cinnamon right before serving for the best look.

What if my dates are too dry to open easily?

Soak them in warm water for 5 minutes, then pat dry very well before stuffing.

This softens the skins and makes them easier to handle.

How sweet are these without added sugar?

They’re naturally quite sweet thanks to the dates and apple. If you prefer a dessert-level sweetness, add a teaspoon or two of maple syrup to the filling or finish with a chocolate drizzle.

Wrapping Up

Apple Cinnamon Stuffed Dates give you everything you want in a treat—sweet, spiced, creamy, and crunchy—without turning on the oven. They’re quick to make, easy to customize, and perfect for snacking or entertaining.

Keep a batch in the fridge for a grab-and-go treat that feels special any day of the week. One bite, and you’ll see why this simple recipe earns a permanent spot in your rotation.