Friends, I need to talk to you about these stuffed dates because they phenomenal! These Granola Butter Stuffed Medjool Dates with Chocolate are everything — plump, caramel-sweet Medjool dates filled with my waffle cone granola butter, with a silky chocolate coating, then finished with finely chopped pistachios, waffle cone granola crumbs, and a pinch of flaky sea salt. No baking. No complicated steps. Just pure, over-the-top delicious in under 30 minutes.
These little beauties are part of my ongoing one year anniversary celebration of the most exciting collaboration of my foodie life: the Waffle Cone Granola I created with my dear friend Michelle Pusateri of Nana Joes Granola. One whole year of this granola being out in the world and I am STILL finding new and delicious ways to use it. These stuffed dates might just be my favorite discovery yet, and that is saying something given how many recipes I have made with this granola by now!
If you have not yet gotten your hands on a bag, now is absolutely the time. You can grab the Nana Joes Waffle Cone Granola at the FoodSocial Market and use code WAFFLELOVE for a discount. Trust me when I say your pantry will never be the same.
Why You Are Going to Be Obsessed with These Stuffed Dates
Let me paint you a picture. A soft, sticky Medjool date, split open like a little book, a small cluster of waffle cone granola nestled inside for extra crunch a generous spoonful of waffle cone granola butter. A generous topping of silky dark chocolate cascading over the top or a full on plunge. A pinch of flaky sea salt. A scattering of finely chopped pistachios and granola crumbs. These are not just a snack. These are an experience!
- The Medjool dates bring a rich, caramel-like sweetness that pairs absolutely perfectly with the toasty, buttery waffle cone granola butter.
- The granola butter adds that signature waffle cone granola flavor in the most luscious, creamy way — like a filling you cannot stop eating straight from the spoon.
- A small granola cluster tucked inside each date adds crunch and texture that makes every single bite interesting.
- The chocolate sets up beautifully and adds a sophisticated bittersweet note that balances the natural sweetness of the date perfectly.
- Pistachios and granola crumbs on top add color, crunch, and that little something extra that makes these look absolutely stunning on a platter.
- Flaky sea salt is the finishing touch that ties everything together and makes every flavor pop.
The Better-For-You Angle
Stuffed dates have been having a major moment in the better-for-you snack world and for very good reason. Medjool dates are naturally sweet and rich in fiber, potassium, and antioxidants. Paired with my waffle cone granola butter, which is made entirely from real ingredients with no added junk. These little treats deliver genuine indulgence without any of the guilt. This is a treat that feels special and is made from ingredients you can actually feel good about.
They are also naturally gluten free as written, which makes them a wonderful option for guests with dietary restrictions. Just double check your chocolate label to be sure!
Two Ways to Chocolate
One of my favorite things about this recipe is the flexibility with the chocolate. You have two totally delicious options depending on the vibe you are going for:
- A generous topping of melted chocolate over the top of each date. This gives you those gorgeous cascading chocolate and a lighter chocolate note in every bite. This is my go-to for everyday snacking and gifting because it looks absolutely beautiful with minimal effort.
- A full chocolate dip where you submerge each stuffed date entirely in the melted chocolate and allow the excess to drip off — this gives you a more pronounced chocolate shell and a truly show-stopping presentation. This is the move for special occasions and entertaining.
Either way, adding a touch of coconut oil to the melted chocolate is the secret to that perfectly smooth, glossy finish that sets up beautifully. Do not skip it!
Tips, Tricks and Make-Ahead Notes
- Look for large, plump, soft Medjool dates that feel almost sticky to the touch. Dry or shriveled dates will not open easily and the texture will not be nearly as luxurious. Whole Foods, Costco, and most Middle Eastern grocery stores carry excellent options.
- Bring your waffle cone granola butter to room temperature before starting. If it is too thick, warm it gently with a little coconut oil in 10 second microwave bursts, stirring until it is smooth and spreadable. This makes filling the dates so much easier and neater.
- Do not skip the 10 minute freezer step after stuffing. Chilling the filled dates before adding the chocolate is the secret to clean, beautiful chocolate that set up quickly without sliding off.
- For the granola crumb topping, simply pulse a small amount of the waffle cone granola in a food processor or place it in a zip lock bag and crush with a rolling pin until it is broken apart. It adds the most beautiful texture and visual detail to the finished dates.
- Make ahead friendly: these dates can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Pull them out about 15 minutes before serving so the granola butter softens slightly. They are always best enjoyed at room temperature.
Granola Butter Stuffed Medjool Dates with Chocolate
Ingredients
- 8-9 Medjool dates pitted
- 4-5 tbsp waffle cone granola butter room temperature
- 2-3 tsp coconut oil divided
- 1-2 tbsp Waffle Cone Granola broken into 9 total small clusters
- ½ cup chocolate chips milk or dark
-toppings
- 1 tsp flaky sea salt
- 1-2 tsp pistachios finely chopped
- 1-2 tsp waffle cone granola finely crumbled
Instructions
- Line a small baking sheet or plate with parchment paper and set aside.
- If your dates still have pits, carefully slice each one lengthwise down one side and remove the pit, keeping the date intact. They should open like a little book.
- Loosen up the waffle cone butter by placing it in a small bowl along with 1½ tsp of coconut oil, warm in the microwave in 10 second bursts. Stirring until consistency is “spreadable” and smooth.
- Place one small granola piece inside each date, then spoon about 1 tsp of waffle cone butter inside each of the dates. Use a small spoon or a piping bag, fill each date generously with granola butter. Don’t be shy!
- Place the stuffed dates on the prepared parchment lined sheet and transfer to the freezer for 10 minutes to firm up slightly. This makes the chocolate drizzle step much cleaner and neater.
- While the dates chill, melt ½ cup chocolate and 1 teaspoon coconut oil together in a small microwave safe bowl in 30 second increments, stirring between each, until completely smooth and glossy. The coconut oil thins the chocolate slightly for a beautiful drizzle consistency.
- Remove the dates from the freezer. Using a spoon or fork, drizzle the melted chocolate generously over each stuffed date. Or if you want to coat each date, melt more chocolate and coconut oil then submerge in the chocolate–allowing excess to drip off. Work quickly before the chocolate sets.
- Immediately sprinkle each date with a pinch of 1 pinch flaky sea salt, waffle cone granola crumbs and finely chopped pistachios before the chocolate sets.
- Return the dates to the refrigerator for 10–15 minutes until the chocolate is fully set. Transfer to a serving platter and enjoy! These are best served at room temperature so pull them out a few minutes before serving.
More Waffle Cone Granola Recipes to Try
If you are as obsessed with the waffle cone granola as I am, here are a few more recipes to add to your rotation right away:
- Bakery-Style Granola Muffins with Granola Butter Drizzle — the muffin that started the anniversary celebration!
- Banana Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake with Granola Crumble — tender, deeply flavored and completely irresistible.
- 3-Ingredient Waffle Cone Granola Butter Cookies — the easiest cookies you will ever make.
- Waffle Cone Granola Ice Cream — the summer treat that had to happen.
- Waffle Cone Butter Waffles — Sunday brunch just got a serious upgrade.
- Discover the First Waffle Cone Granola Blend — the story behind the collab.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is waffle cone granola butter and where do I get it?
Waffle cone granola butter is something I created from my waffle cone granola collab with Nana Joes Granola — a luscious, spreadable butter made entirely from the granola itself. It has the most incredible buttery, toasty waffle cone flavor and it is absolutely magical in both sweet and savory applications. Find my full granola butter recipe right here and grab the granola at the FoodSocial Market using code WAFFLELOVE for a discount.
Are stuffed dates gluten free?
Yes! This recipe is naturally gluten free as written. Just be sure to double check the label on your chocolate chips to confirm they are gluten free certified if that is important for your household.
Can I use a different nut butter instead of granola butter?
You could, but the waffle cone granola butter is really the star of this recipe and gives these dates their one-of-a-kind flavor. I would strongly encourage seeking it out — the recipe linked above is incredibly easy to make and the flavor is unlike anything else!
Can I use milk chocolate instead of dark?
Absolutely! Milk chocolate gives you a sweeter, creamier result that leans more dessert-forward. Dark chocolate adds a sophisticated bittersweet contrast to the natural sweetness of the dates. Both are delicious — it just depends on your preference and who you are making these for.
How long do stuffed dates keep?
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Pull them out about 15 minutes before serving so the granola butter can soften to that perfect creamy texture. They are always best enjoyed at room temperature.
Made these? I want to see that chocolate topping!! Tag me on social so I can see your gorgeous stuffed dates. Nothing makes my day like seeing these recipes come to life in your kitchens. 🍫
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