Stuffed Dates: 8 Minute Joyful Appetizer

I know exactly what it feels like when you want to impress everyone at a gathering but you just don’t have hours to spend slaving away over complicated appetizers. Trust me, I’ve traded spreadsheets for saucepans, and I learned that the greatest joy comes from simple food that looks totally gourmet. That’s why I am so excited to share this recipe with you today. These Elegant Roasted Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates are proof that you can create something truly memorable with just a few fantastic ingredients. They hit that perfect sweet and savory note everyone craves, and they come together so fast. If you are looking for straightforward, stunning party bites, these **stuffed dates** are about to become your new best friend for entertaining! I talk a lot about making hosting easy over on my easy entertaining page, and these fit right in!

Why You Will Love These Roasted Stuffed Dates

I wouldn’t dedicate brain space to a recipe unless it really delivered, and these little bites are guaranteed winners. They are sophisticated without being fussy, which is exactly what I look for when planning a party menu.

• They come together faster than you can mix a complicated dip—seriously, less than 20 minutes total time!
• That flavor combination? Creamy, tangy cheese wrapped in a caramelized, naturally sweet date? It’s heaven in one bite.
• They look incredible on a platter. You could serve these at a black-tie event and no one would blink; they are seriously elegant finger foods.
• Perfect for entertaining because they are served warm, meaning they don’t need fussy timing right before guests arrive.
• They hit that magnificent sweet and savory snacks sweet spot that satisfies every kind of craving.
• They are simple, making them ideal for those busy holiday cooks who need quick wins.

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Gathering Ingredients for Perfect Stuffed Dates

When you’re making something this simple, the quality of your few ingredients really shines through. You just need a handful of things, but pay attention to the details here! Medjool dates are non-negotiable for this recipe—they are plump and caramel-like, totally different from smaller varieties. I got my full cheat sheet on why I love these ingredients over on my about page, but here’s the quick rundown of what you need:

• 12 plump Medjool dates
• 4 oz soft goat cheese, make sure it’s at room temperature!
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
• A tiny pinch of black pepper
• Optional drizzle: 1 tablespoon of yummy honey

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Stuffed Dates

The most important thing here is the cheese temperature. If your goat cheese is straight from the fridge, you’ll end up tearing the soft date skin while trying to stuff it in, and that’s just messy, isn’t it? Let that cheese sit out for at least 20 minutes until it’s nice and spreadable. If goat cheese isn’t your favorite, don’t stress! As my notes share, you can absolutely swap in mascarpone cheese for a slightly milder, silkier finish. Both work wonderfully well.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Roasted Stuffed Dates

Okay, getting these ready is such a breeze, you’ll feel like a culinary genius. First things first—get that oven warmed up! We need it at 375°F (190°C). While that’s heating, line up a small baking sheet with parchment paper. This is my little trick to avoid scrubbing later, which keeps the joy in the cooking! If you’re looking for more time-saving hosting genius, I cover tons of ideas on easy entertaining.

Now, let’s tackle the dates. You have to carefully slice each one lengthwise right down the side. Don’t cut all the way through; think of it like opening a small pocket. Pop those pits right out—they won’t do us any good here. Next, mix up your filling. Just fold that softened goat cheese with your chopped rosemary and that tiny pinch of pepper. A little goes a long way, so just eyeball about a teaspoon of filling for each little date pocket.

Arrange them on your sheet, drizzle them with just a whisper of olive oil, and slide them into the oven. They only need about 8 to 10 minutes. Seriously, check them at 8! They are done when the dates are warm and floppy and the cheese is looking beautifully soft. Remove them, and if you feel like it, drizzle with honey right before serving. They are ready to wow your guests!

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Tips for Perfectly Roasted Stuffed Dates

Timing is everything for these **stuffed dates**! You want just enough time in the oven for the dates to get that wonderful sticky, caramelized chewiness. If you leave them in too long, they can get tight again. Aim for that sweet spot where the cheese inside is just starting to melt and look glossy. Don’t let them cool down too much, either! These are absolutely best served warm, just a few minutes after coming out of the oven. That warm, gooey center paired with the sweet date is what makes this appetizer so irresistible.

Variations on Classic Stuffed Dates Appetizer

One thing I love about this whole world of **stuffed dates** is how flexible it is. Once you master the basic stuffing technique, you can go in a hundred different directions! People go absolutely wild for bacon wrapped dates, and honestly, I get it. Wrapping those stuffed beauties in half a slice of bacon before roasting adds that amazing salty-smoky crunch that takes things over the top. You can look up a million ways to do that, but my core roasted goat cheese recipe works perfectly underneath the bacon, too. If you are planning your next gathering, you definitely need to check out my appetizers snacks section for more big-impact, low-effort ideas!

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If you’re looking for different flavor profiles, try swapping out the goat cheese entirely for mascarpone or even cream cheese. It creates a slightly milder, rounder flavor profile perfect for a sweeter bite after dinner. It shows you how versatile these little fruits are for both sweet and savory snacks!

Making No Bake Stuffed Dates Options

Sometimes you just can’t turn the oven on, and that’s okay! You can absolutely make fantastic appetizers without heat. For a quick, no bake version, skip the oil and rosemary entirely. Instead, fill the dates with something super smooth like whipped almond butter or that plain mascarpone mixture I mentioned earlier. You can dust those with a little bit of powdered sugar or crushed pistachios right after filling. They firm up nicely in the fridge and are ready to go in minutes, making them the ultimate speedy party platter filler.

Serving Suggestions for Your Stuffed Dates

When these **stuffed dates** come out of the oven, they are honestly ready for the main stage! Because they look so elegant, they instantly elevate any platter. Think cheese boards, charcuterie spreads, or just a solitary pile waiting to be snatched up. I love serving them warm alongside a crisp, dry sparkling wine—the bubbles really bounce off the intense sweetness of the date. If you’re organizing a big bash, remember that simple presentation is key. Check out my ideas for easy entertaining to see how I style these for maximum effect!

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Storage and Make-Ahead Tips for Stuffed Dates

This is the million-dollar question when you’re planning a party, right? You want everything ready, but you don’t want it tasting sad and old by the time guests arrive! The good news about these roasted beauties is that they are fantastic for planning ahead because they rely on roasting for that final touch.

If you want to get ahead, I say stuff the dates—get that goat cheese mixture nestled inside—and then arrange them on your baking sheet. Cover that whole tray tightly with plastic wrap and pop it into the fridge. You can do this up to 24 hours ahead of time. You would be surprised how many appetizer tasks you can knock out early following a good meal-prep mentality!

When you’re ready to serve, just slide the tray straight from the fridge into the preheated oven. You might need to add about 2 or 3 extra minutes to that baking time since they start out cold, but it’s worth the fresh-from-the-oven taste. For leftovers? Well, they are best served warm, but frankly, they are still pretty tasty at room temperature the next day. Just store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge!

Frequently Asked Questions About Stuffed Dates

I know you chefs might have a few lingering questions before diving in, especially if you’re trying to fit these into a busy schedule! I’ve gathered up the most common things folks ask me about making these little sweet and savory wonders. Ask away in the comments if I missed anything!

How long does it take to make these easy stuffed dates recipe?

That’s the best part about this whole concept! We are talking major speed here. The prep time is just 10 minutes because we’re keeping things simple, and the roasting only takes 8 to 10 minutes. That means from the moment you think, “Oh, I need an appetizer!” to having warm, elegant **stuffed dates** on a platter, you’re looking at about 20 minutes total time. It doesn’t get much faster or easier than that!

Can I use cream cheese stuffed dates instead of goat cheese?

You totally can! If you aren’t a huge fan of the slight tang that goat cheese brings, swapping it out is super easy, just like I mentioned in my detailed notes. Cream cheese stuffed dates are incredibly popular because they are so smooth, and mascarpone stuffed dates are even silkier if you want to go a little more gourmet. All these cheese options blend up beautifully and hold their shape just fine after roasting.

Are these good as healthy stuffed dates snack options?

That’s a tricky one, my friends! Because this recipe leans heavily into the appetizer category (especially if you add that optional honey drizzle!), I wouldn’t categorize them as a plain healthy stuffed dates snack for daily munching. However, I will say that Medjool dates are all-natural fruit, and goat cheese gives you a nice bit of protein, so they are way better than reaching for processed junk food! They are definitely a healthier choice compared to many deep-fried party bites out there, focusing on whole ingredients.

Understanding the Nutrition in These Stuffed Dates

Since I believe in being totally transparent about what we’re eating—that’s part of finding the joy, right?—here is the breakdown for one single date, based on the recipe measurements. Remember, these are just good estimates, and if you go heavy on the honey drizzle or choose a richer cheese, those numbers will shift a bit! You can always check out my disclosure policy for more on how I calculate these figures.

• Serving Size: 1 date
• Calories: About 110
• Fat: 7g
• Carbohydrates: 12g
• Protein: 3g

Share Your Experience Making These Stuffed Dates

I truly hope you whip up a batch of these incredible **stuffed dates** soon! When you do, please come back and let me know how they turned out. Leave a star rating right below, and I’d absolutely love to see your beautiful appetizer platters! You can share photos over on my blog main page or tag me on Facebook at our Pure Cooking Joy page—seeing your cooking brings me so much happiness!

Elegant Roasted Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates

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Make these simple roasted stuffed dates filled with creamy goat cheese. They are an elegant finger food perfect for parties or holiday gatherings, offering a sweet and savory flavor combination.

• Author: purejoyalex
• Prep Time: 10 min
• Cook Time: 10 min
• Total Time: 20 min
• Yield: 12 pieces 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

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• 12 Medjool dates
• 4 oz soft goat cheese, room temperature
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped
• Pinch of black pepper
• Optional: 1 tablespoon honey for drizzling

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Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Carefully slice each date lengthwise down one side, opening it slightly without cutting all the way through. Remove any pits.
3. In a small bowl, mix the softened goat cheese with the chopped rosemary and black pepper.
4. Use a small spoon or knife to stuff about 1 teaspoon of the cheese mixture into the center of each date. Gently press the date closed around the filling.
5. Arrange the stuffed dates on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle lightly with olive oil.
6. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the dates are warm and slightly softened, and the cheese is beginning to melt.
7. Remove from the oven. If desired, drizzle with honey immediately before serving.
8. Serve warm as an easy entertaining appetizer.

Notes

• For a different flavor, substitute mascarpone cheese for goat cheese.
• If you are planning your weekly meals, these pair well with a simple meal planning approach for appetizers.
• These dates are best served warm shortly after roasting.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 date
• Calories: 110
• Sugar: 12
• Sodium: 65
• Fat: 7
• Saturated Fat: 4
• Unsaturated Fat: 3
• Trans Fat: 0
• Carbohydrates: 12
• Fiber: 1
• Protein: 3
• Cholesterol: 15