It’s snack time in the Oat So Delicious household this week, mainly due to an abundance of Perkier snacks from last weeks event in London!, However, I’m now a little bit obsessed with these delicious almond butter stuffed dates…

I feel like snacks get a bad rep sometimes. We’re told to eat hearty, filling meals so we don’t feel the need to snack in-between courses. However, I don’t remember the last time I lasted from lunch to dinner without a little nibble of something in-between!

These almond butter stuffed dates are the ultimate ‘healthy’ sweet treat. I use the word healthy lightly as these may be nutritious, but they are definitely not low calorie. In fact, they are so much better than an empty-calorie snack, which will have you looking for your next food source within 5 mins!

These have all the vital components for a balanced, nutritious snack – whilst also being seriously delicious!

Dates – although high in unrefined sugar, these naturally sweet treats are packed with fibre and potassium, making them the perfect sweet substitute (in moderation).

Almond Butter – made from 100% roasted almonds, it’s always best to make your own almond butter so you know exactly what ingredients have gone into it (in this case only 1 ingredient!) Almond butter is full of healthy fats, protein and minerals. The perfect combination for a healthy, balanced diet.

Dark Chocolate – sometimes given a bad rep, chocolate CAN be good for you in moderation. A few squares of quality dark choc with a high cocoa content (70%+) is all you need to subdue all your cravings. Research has proven that dark chocolate is a powerful source of antioxidants, can lower blood pressure and may reduce the risk of heart disease – pass me the chocolate!

INGREDIENTS

8 medjool dates, de-stoned
75g dark chocolate (70%)
8 tsp almond butter (or any other nut butter)
Dried raspberries, shredded coconut & crushed pistachios for decoration

RECIPE

1. Start by cutting down one side of your date and opening both sides out so they create a pocket.
2. Spoon 1 tsp almond butter into the pocket – use more or less nut butter depending on the size of the date. Repeat and set aside.
3. Next, melt the dark chocolate over a bain-marie until silky smooth.
4. Dip the dates into the melted chocolate, then sprinkle over your chosen decoration. Repeat for each date.
5. Happy snacking!

Sophie x