Stuffed dates are a must-try for anyone searching for a new appetizer or snack for almost any occasion. They look fancy while being so easy to prepare, and with almost endless flavor varieties, they’re practically a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. And let’s not forget the many benefits of dates, either. Between dinner parties, potlucks, Christmas, Ramadan, game days, and more – these stuffed Medjool dates will fit right in and disappear in moments. They also make for a healthy, child-approved snack. With just a few base ingredients and minimal effort, there are practically endless variations for making these filled dates. I’ve shared just a few of my favorites below – including a sweet-savory cheese, nut, and honey stuffed date or decadent sweet nut butter and chocolate variety. With a balance of sweet, savory, creamy, tangy, and crunchy flavors and textures (enjoyed chilled or warm!), you can make a delicious stuffed dates appetizer or healthy sweet snack in just minutes. Plus, depending on your chosen fillings, these filled dates can also be gluten-free, paleo, and vegan, and the sweet version is perfect for curbing unhealthy cravings!
What Do Dates Taste Like?
It can be a little hard to pinpoint the exact flavor of dates, which are the tropical fruit from date palm trees. However, having made plenty of date paste and date-based caramel sauce, I think this sticky sweet fruit (nicknamed nature’s candy) has a subtle caramel-like flavor, with hints of honey/toffee and even a little cinnamon.
What Are the Best Dates to Stuff?
It’s best to use dates that are large, plump, soft, and meaty, with space for filling – like Medjool dates. However, you could use amber dates, too.
My Favourite Ways to Stuff Dates
The flavor of dates makes them a perfect pairing for savory and sweet stuffings with ingredients likely already in your kitchen. No matter which stuffing you choose, the first step is to slice a slit down the side of each date and remove the pits (save these for date pit coffee!) so they open like a book, leaving space for stuffing.
Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates
This goat cheese appetizer version combines the sweet flavors of dates with the salty, tangy flavor of goat cheese, the crunch of nuts, and super sweet honey for super satisfying, well-balanced appetizers with dates. For roasted goat cheese stuffed dates, transfer the stuffed fruit to a baking tray and bake for 5 minutes at 350ºF/175ºC. Once roasted, drizzle with the honey (or hot honey and/or balsamic vinegar). Flavor Variations: You can also use different types of cheese:
Blue cheese (like Picante, Roquefort, or Gorgonzola), Feta, Ricotta (with walnuts and thyme), Cream cheese.
And for extra flavor to this “gourmet” stuffed date appetizer, you can:
Add a small amount of fresh herbs like fresh thyme or rosemary, Add fruit, like pomegranate seeds, sliced apple/pear, or dried cranberries, Spoon in a little fig jam or other fruit preserves, And/or wrap the filled dates with a length of prosciutto or make bacon-wrapped dates. Then optionally bake them on a baking sheet until the prosciutto/bacon is crispy and the cheese oozes (10-15 minutes).
Stuffed Dates with Nut Butter and Chocolate
This version is my favorite healthy sweet snack with dates and tastes like a healthy Snickers bar. They’re sweet, rich, creamy, and delicious. Other topping options: crushed nuts, shredded coconut, cacao nibs, freeze-dried fruit, shaved chocolate, etc.
Stuffed Dates with Nuts
The simplest of all options, this stuffed dates recipe just adds a single nut for a little crunch. You can use an almond, pecan, walnut, pistachio, etc.
More Easy Appetizers and Snacks
Crostini (Tips + Toppings) Rainbow Goat Cheese Rolls Tortilla Chips Best Bruschetta Recipe
If you try any of these homemade stuffed dates recipes, let me know how it goes in the comments below. I’d appreciate a recipe card rating and would love to see your recipe recreations – tag me on Instagram @Alphafoodie!
