Apple Crumble Stuffed Dates

These apple crumble stuffed dates taste like a mini dessert, but they’re super easy to put together. Warm, cinnamon-y apples stuffed into soft, caramel-like dates, and with a crunchy oat crumble - they’re simple, delicious and very hard to stop eating.

Prep time: 10 minutes

Baking time: 10-12 minutes

Ingredients (makes 12)

For the apple filling:

• small apple, finely diced
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp maple syrup
• 1 tsp coconut oil

For the crumble topping:

• 40 g rolled oats
• 25 g chopped pecans (walnuts, or mixed nuts work well too)
• 1 tbsp plain flour
• 1 1/2 tbsp maple syrup
• 1-2 tsp brown sugar
• 2 tbsp cubed vegan butter
• Pinch of cinnamon
• Pinch of salt

To assemble:

• 12 large Medjool dates, pitted

Instructions

1. Prepare the apple filling: Add the diced apple, cinnamon, maple syrup and coconut oil to a small pan. Cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring often, until the apple is soft and lightly caramelised. Set aside.
2. For the crumble, blend the oats until the texture resembles oat flour. In a bowl, mix the oats, plain flour, chopped pecans, maple syrup, cubed vegan butter, cinnamon and salt until evenly coated.
3. Then it’s time to stuff the dates! Carefully slice open each date, remove the pit and spoon a little of the warm apple mixture inside. Arrange the stuffed dates snugly in a small baking dish.
4. Sprinkle the crumble topping generously over the dates, pressing it down lightly. Bake at 180°C / 350°F for 10-12 minutes, until the topping is golden and the dates are soft and sticky.
5. Let the apple crumble dates cool for a few minutes before serving - the filling sets slightly and the flavours come together beautifully!