Yeast Free Pesto-Walnut and Almond Stuffed Dates
Sweet, savory, and just a little bit fancy, these stuffed dates are the kind of no-fuss appetizer that disappears from the platter before you even sit down. Medjool dates are naturally caramel-rich, and when you fill them with a coarse walnut-basil pesto and tuck in a whole almond, the result is this incredible layered bite — earthy, herby, and satisfying all at once. The homemade pesto comes together in a food processor with fresh basil, walnuts, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil, so every ingredient is clean and straightforward with zero hidden additives to worry about. For anyone navigating yeast-free eating, store-bought dips and spreads can be a minefield of fermented ingredients and mystery flavorings — making your own pesto here sidesteps all of that completely. A final drizzle of good olive oil, a pinch of flaky sea salt, and an optional hit of red pepper flakes take the whole thing from simple to genuinely impressive. These work beautifully as a party snack, a cheese board addition, or an afternoon treat when you want something that feels indulgent but is made entirely from whole, recognizable ingredients.
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Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
For the dates
- 18 medjool dates
- 18 whole almonds, raw or dry-roasted
For the pesto
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves, packed
- ½ cup walnuts, raw or dry-roasted
- 1 clove garlic, peeled
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ¼ tsp salt
For serving
- 1–2 tsp extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
- flaky sea salt, to taste
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Pit the dates if not already pitted: use a small knife to make a lengthwise slit along one side of each date and remove the pit, keeping the date intact and pocket-shaped.
- 2
Combine the basil, walnuts, garlic, 3 tbsp olive oil, lemon juice, and salt in a food processor. Pulse 8–10 times, then scrape down the sides and process until the mixture forms a coarse, spreadable paste — it should hold together when pressed but still have visible texture.
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