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Here’s an easy finger food—stuffed dates! Quick to make, the sweet and savory combo keeps everyone coming back for more.
Want our new favorite party trick? Stuffed dates! Yes, these beauties are incredibly easy to make, and the flavor of this simple pairing is outrageous. There’s the sweet caramel chewiness of Medjool dates.
Pair that with tangy, fluffy goat cheese, and the sweet-savory combo is out of this world. Top them with a dusting of pistachios and a sprinkle of smoked paprika, and wowza! It also works as a quick snack or “side” for a healthy lunch, and involves no cooking at all. As cookbook authors obsessed with simple ways to make food taste delicious, we’re all in on these as easy finger food ideas for parties and meals.
Ingredients for stuffed dates
These stuffed dates are so easy to make, they’re perfect as a finger food for a party or a no-think snack when you’re hangry. Honestly, Alex and I love these so much: and our 3-year-old Larson does too! Our favorite recipes are quick and simple pairings like this one, that taste way greater than the sum of their parts. Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe:
- Medjool dates: These dates are very large and have a sweet caramely flavor. They’ve become very popular because they’re used in energy bars like Larabars (here’s our homemade version) and other no-bake treats.
- Goat cheese: Use your favorite soft goat cheese for this recipe. As an alternative, stuff the dates with almond butter or use a vegan cheese.
- Pistachios: Pistachios crushed into a dust are used for the topping here
- Smoked paprika: Spanish smoked paprika or pimentón brings a smoky savoriness: don’t even think about omitting it! You can find it in the spice aisle at your local grocery.
Topping stuffed dates: a few tips
All you have to do for this recipe is pit the dates, then spoon in a little fluffy goat cheese. Here are a couple simple tips to think about as you make these goat cheese stuffed dates:
- Use room temperature goat cheese, or soften it up with your hands. If you don’t have time to let it sit on the counter for a few minutes, you can just use your hands to massage it right in the package. This softens it up and makes it easier to get spoonfuls than cold goat cheese, which is more crumbly.
- A little smoked paprika goes a long way. When you add the smoked paprika, a little goes a long way. You can use the tiniest sprinkle, and still taste the delicious smokiness. We did this to simulate the flavor of bacon, which is often used in combination with dates.
- A drizzle of honey amps the flavors. This is optional; use it if it fits your personal tastes. When we tried this, Alex didn’t like the honey version as much as I did, but to me it elevated the flavor and enhanced everything. You only need the smallest drizzle of honey; too much and it overwhelms the flavor.
Alternative to goat cheese stuffed dates: nut butter
If you eat vegan or plant based, try nut butter instead of goat cheese in these stuffed dates. It’s irresistibly good and tastes a bit like a treat. Even better, top with a sprinkle of sea salt! (You can also cover them in chocolate to make our favorite treat, Date Snickers!) Here are a few ideas for a plant based option; you can stuff dates with:
- Peanut butter
- Almond butter
- Cashew butter
- Homemade nut butter
- Sunflower butter for nut allergies
Where to find Medjool dates and storage notes
Contrary to what you might think, these dates are not a dried fruit! Medjool dates are actually fresh fruits. They’re harvested from the date palm tree and then packaged immediately. There’s no processing, so they’re not dried.
This type of date has become quite popular lately, and you can find them at most mainstream grocery stores in the US. Look in your grocery in the produce aisle (often next to the bananas), or near the dried fruits. You can also order them online.
You can store Medjool dates at room temperature for 1 to 2 months, in the refrigerator for up to 6 months, and about 1 year frozen. You may notice that some dates will develop a white powder on the outside. It’s perfectly normal (not mold!)—it’s the natural sugars in the date rising to the skin.
Ways to serve stuffed dates
There are so many occasions when you could serve these goat cheese stuffed dates! Here are some ideas:
- Healthy snack or gluten free snack idea
- Healthy lunch idea (pair with chickpea salad or a sandwich)
- Finger food idea for parties
- Gluten free appetizer
- Game day spread (Superbowl or others)
- Starter for a Mediterranean style meal
- Kid friendly food (our kid loves them!)
Dietary notes
This stuffed dates recipe is vegetarian and gluten-free. For vegan, plant-based, and dairy-free, use peanut butter or almond butter.
Easy Stuffed Dates
Here’s an easy finger food: goat cheese stuffed dates! Quick to make, the sweet and savory combo keeps everyone coming back for more.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 24 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Raw
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients
- 24 Medjool dates
- 4 ounces soft goat cheese (helpful if it’s come to room temperature*) or nut butter** for vegan
- 3 tablespoons pistachios
- Sea salt and fresh ground black pepper
- Smoked paprika
- Optional: honey
Instructions
- Use a knife to make a lengthwise slit into the dates, then remove the pits. Use a spoon to fill them with goat cheese.
- Crush the pistachios with a rolling pin.
- Top each with a tiny sprinkle of black pepper, sea salt and the tiniest bit of smoked paprika (just a tiny sprinkle has big flavor). Sprinkle on pistachio dust. If desired, add the tiniest drizzle of honey (again, use a small amount to heighten the flavor; too much and it overwhelms).
Notes
*The goat cheese is easier to work with at room temperature. If you don’t have time to set it out, just use your hands to mash it around in the package a little bit so it becomes softer.
**For vegan, plant-based and dairy-free diets, try any type of nut butter: nut butter, peanut butter, almond butter, or cashew butter.
More recipes with Medjool dates
Outside of these stuffed dates, what else can you make with Medjool dates? So many things! Here are some of our favorite Medjool dates recipes:
- These raw brownies are impossibly fudgy and chocolatey.
- Try pecan energy bars or cashew no bake energy bars: they’re like homemade Larabars, and are the perfect wholesome snack.
- You can also use dates in smoothies, like this apple smoothie or date smoothie. Or, make the Palm Springs classic, the date shake!
How much in advance can I make these?
How would crushed walnuts taste with feta?
Excellent!
Do you think roasted crushed pumpkin seeds would work in lieu of the pistachios, I am unable to eat any nuts?
Yes, that should work!
Can these be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator, or am I better off waiting until the day of my event to put them together?
Great question! Goat cheese can dry out when refrigerated. We think you’d be safe making them the day before and refrigerating in a sealed container; just make sure to let them come to room temperature before serving (the dates get pretty hard when they’re cold). If you can, it’s nice to make them fresh right before the event. Let us know how it goes!
I plan on making this tonight. It sounds great. Are the pistachios roasted and salted?
Yes!
Very popular…so good and so easy!
I was assigned an appetizer for a family meal at the last minute. I had to find something I could make with ingredients I already had on hand. Oh my gosh!!!! These are amazing! The only substitute I had to make was to use pecans instead of pistachios since that’s what I had. I already ate 2 of them – I had better get to that party soon or they will all be gone!
So glad you enjoyed it!
I made these last night for our cooking club appetizer. So good!
So glad you enjoyed!
Yes! My mom used to make me dates stuffed with peanut butter for a snack as a child. I loved them and now make them for my son. We sprinkle sesame seeds on top for a bit of fun. It is such a great snack.
Absolutely delicious to have on a festive spread of nibbles