Have a jar of tahini in your fridge you’re not sure what to do with? I’ve got you covered. It also makes for a great pre-run or pre-workout snack that won’t sit like a brick in your stomach!
I remember the first time I heard about tahini. I was recently graduated from college and working at Goldman Sachs, and one of my coworkers suggested we go to nearby restaurant that had the most amazing hummus, explaining that it was amazing because of the tahini they used. While I had absolutely no idea what tahini was, after trying the most amazing hummus, I needed to figure it out.
So, I googled homemade hummus and learned that tahini is a key ingredient. And tahini is simply a sesame seed butter – similar to peanut butter or almond butter, but made with sesame seeds.
I used to make my own hummus a lot and then tired of that. (Hey, I’m lazy and store bought stuff is good! Especially Roots Hummus!) I tried eating tahini on its own, but I really didn’t like it. But, I still had tahini in my fridge and I didn’t want to just throw it away. So, when I ran out of almond butter and peanut butter a while ago, which I often stuff into a date for a pre-run snack, I turned to the jar of tahini. And, all of a sudden, I liked it. Like, a LOT. While I didn’t love it on its own, I found it also pairs perfectly with dates.
Since dates are super sweet, the somewhat savory tahini pairs perfectly with them. And the combo is a great vehicle for toppings like cocoa, coconut flakes and cacao nibs.
Dates stuffed with tahini
Dates stuffed with tahini are also a great pre-run or pre-workout snack. I find the combo really easy to stomach before and after workouts, which is key. They’re also perfect for an afternoon treat that won’t spike your blood sugar and leave you crashing shortly afterwards! (These runner’s energy balls are another favorite of mine!!)
I don’t often make them in advance, but you certainly can. I usually just grab a couple dates, the jar of tahini and a spoon and start popping out the pit and replacing it with tahini. And sometimes I’ll actually sit down to eat. 😉
Tahini (at least the Trader Joe’s brand) is pretty runny, so I suggest keeping it in the fridge. And if you make these in advance or want to take them with you in the car or on a run, wrap them individually in plastic wrap and keep them frozen until you’re ready to take them with you. That will help prevent a runny tahini mess.
Variations
Use peanut butter, almond butter or sunflower seed butter! Any nut butter will work! Even coconut butter would be tasty!
Top with sea salt, cacao nibs or coconut flakes! Hemp seeds or chia seeds would be nice too!
Pre-run snack
Fueling before and after a run is SO important, and this is a perfect easy-to-digest option before a run and a quick way to get in some carbs post-run. (If you want more information about how to fuel for your runs and my other fueling recommendations, make sure you’re on the waitlist for my running course!)
These tahini stuffed dates make a great pre-run or post-workout snack. They’re also perfect for an afternoon treat that won’t spike your blood sugar and leave you crashing shortly afterwards!
Ingredients
Scale
2 medjool dates
2 teaspoons tahini
optional toppings: salt, cacao nibs
Instructions
Take a medjool date and carefully it partially open (lengthwise) and peel it open. Remove the pit.
Take a spoonful of tahini and stuff it into the hole left where the pit was.
Press the date back together to partially seal or top with sea salt, cacao nibs or coconut.
Enjoy!
Notes
Substitute the tahini with peanut butter, almond butter or sunflower seed butter! Any nut butter will work! Even coconut butter would be tasty!
Optional toppings can include sea salt, cacao nibs or coconut flakes! Hemp seeds or chia seeds would be nice too! Get creative!
Hope you love them! Click here to pin this recipe for later.
Those look good! Whenever I think stuffed dates I think of my mom’s which are stuffed with vanilla frosting, which is such a sugary sweet combo I’ve never liked at all! (sorry mom) I think it’s one of those crazy old school cookbook things like jello salads.
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4 responses to “Pre-Run Snack: Tahini Stuffed Dates”
Yum! I love big juicy dates with nut butter!
Ooooh, I hadn’t thought of dates as a post/pre-run snack. Such a great idea!
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Those look good! Whenever I think stuffed dates I think of my mom’s which are stuffed with vanilla frosting, which is such a sugary sweet combo I’ve never liked at all! (sorry mom) I think it’s one of those crazy old school cookbook things like jello salads.
oh gosh! ha! That is SO much sweetness!!! And yeah, old school recipes are kind of amazing and hilarious.