Stuffed Dates

This one is for the cyclists. I look at you the way most look at me. “Oh, you run marathons? You’re just crazy.” You ride a bike for hours? That is just crazy. I have trust issues with my feet being permanently connected to a two-wheeled teetering object. But, I pretended to be a cyclist once. I latched up to a trainer, pulled up my padded shorts and rode for 90 minutes every day for a whole winter. My goal for that coming triathlon season was to pass ONE competitor on the bike portion. Guess how many people I passed? ONE. The fact that they were walking with a flat tire is irrelevant. So cycling is my weakest segment by far, but you know what part of cycling I am good at? Fueling. Fueling for the bike is much more exhilarating than running because a higher GI tolerance (no stomach bouncing up and down) creates more variety for food choices. Particularly since I find biking so monotonous, (sorry cycling friends) the variety of food is what keeps those long rides bearable. Of course, the basic needs are still the same: calories, carbs, electrolytes. For this recipe, the potassium in both the dates and bananas combined with the sprinkle of sea salt helps prevent mid-ride muscle cramping. These stuffed dates cover all the bases and are a delicious mid-ride treat!

Peanut Butter Banana Stuffed Dates

Yield: 6 dates, 2 servings Ingredients

6 Medjool Dates, pitted
½ Banana
2 Tbsp. Peanut Butter
Sea Salt
Cinnamon, optional

Instructions

In a blender or food processor, combine banana and peanut butter and blend until smooth.
Find the opened side of the date (or split open one side of the date to remove the pit). Scoop in 1-2 teaspoons of peanut butter banana mix inside the date.
Sprinkle with sea salt and cinnamon if desired. For best results, place dates in the freezer for 5-10 minutes to help them set.*

Nutrition Information (1 serving=3 dates)

183 calories
27 g carbohydrate
4.5 g protein

*This recipe was developed with the intent of being consumed while on a bike trainer indoors, but if packing them for a road ride, allow dates to be frozen completely for best storage.

Find anything you need

Peanut Butter Banana Stuffed Dates