Irresistibly Sweet & Nutty Roasted Stuffed Dates Recipe

Sweet, luxurious roasted stuffed dates refine ordinary snacking into a gourmet experience that tantalizes taste buds with unexpected depth.

Mediterranean kitchens have long celebrated these delectable morsels as elegant appetizers bursting with incredible complexity.

Soft, caramelized exteriors promise rich flavor profiles that dance between sweet and savory sensations.

Tender fruits become magical vessels for creamy, nutty, or spicy fillings that elevate simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Stuffing techniques range from delicate cheese blends to vibrant herb mixtures, creating endless possibilities for culinary creativity.

Sophisticated yet surprisingly simple, these bite-sized delights require minimal preparation but deliver maximum satisfaction.

Each roasted stuffed date promises a moment of pure gastronomic bliss.

How to Prepare Sweet, Gooey Stuffed Dates

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grab a baking pan and give it a light coating of cooking spray or brush with olive oil to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Prepare Delicious Dates

Carefully slice Medjool dates lengthwise without cutting completely through. Gently open each date and get ready to fill with creamy goodness.

Step 3: Stuff With Cheese

Fill each date with soft goat cheese, making sure to spread it evenly inside the delicate fruit.

Step 4: Create Crunchy Walnut Topping

• Chopped walnuts
• Fresh rosemary leaves
• Orange zest
• Freshly squeezed orange juice
• Ground cinnamon
• Sea salt
• Olive oil

Stir everything until well blended and fragrant.

Step 5: Arrange And Top

Place stuffed dates in a single layer on the prepared baking pan. Sprinkle the walnut mixture generously over each date, ensuring complete coverage.

Step 6: Roast To Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven. Bake for 15 minutes until dates are warm and the topping turns golden brown and releases a delightful aroma.

Step 7: Serve With Flair

Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Transfer to a beautiful serving platter. For an extra flavor punch, drizzle with hot honey just before serving.

Pro Tips for Roasting Without Drying Out the Filling

• Select Premium Dates: Choose plump, soft Medjool dates for the best texture and richness in your stuffed appetizer.
• Soften Cheese Perfectly: Let goat cheese sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before stuffing to ensure smooth, easy filling.
• Slice with Precision: Use a sharp, thin knife and cut dates carefully lengthwise without separating them completely for clean, elegant presentation.
• Balance Walnut Coating: Toast walnuts lightly before chopping to enhance their nutty flavor and add extra depth to the topping.
• Serve Warm and Fresh: Roast dates just before serving to maintain their warm, gooey texture and capture the most intense flavors of the herbs and spices.

Keeping Stuffed Dates Fresh for Snacking Later

• Refrigerate: Store leftover roasted stuffed dates in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator, keeping them fresh and preventing moisture buildup.
• Reheat Gently: Warm dates in a preheated oven at 300ºF (150ºC) for 5-7 minutes, which helps restore their original texture and prevents them from becoming too dry or tough.
• Quick Serve: Enjoy cold dates straight from the refrigerator as a quick snack, preserving their delicate flavor and soft texture without additional heating.

Appetizers and Bites That Pair with Roasted Dates

• Pair with Sparkling Wine: Uncork a crisp prosecco or champagne to complement the sweet and tangy roasted dates. The bubbles cut through the richness of the goat cheese and enhance the nutty walnut topping.
• Match with Aged Cheese Plate: Create a stunning appetizer board featuring aged sharp cheddar, manchego, or parmesan. These robust cheeses balance the dates' sweetness and provide a delightful textural contrast.
• Serve Alongside Charcuterie: Arrange prosciutto, salami, or serrano ham next to these roasted dates. The salty, savory meats perfectly offset the honey's warmth and the dates' caramelized flavor.
• Complement with Herbal Cocktail: Mix a rosemary-infused gin cocktail or an herbal negroni to echo the rosemary in the walnut topping. The botanical notes will create a harmonious flavor profile that elevates the entire dish.

Stuffing and Spice Variations for Your Next Batch

• Mediterranean Morsels: Replace goat cheese with crumbled feta, swap walnuts for pine nuts, and add fresh thyme instead of rosemary for a Greek-inspired flavor profile.
• Nutty Chocolate Treats: Substitute cheese with dark chocolate ganache, use almonds instead of walnuts, and sprinkle cocoa powder over the dates for a rich, decadent version.
• Spicy Moroccan Style: Mix softened blue cheese with harissa paste, top with chopped pistachios, and finish with a drizzle of honey infused with cardamom for a North African spin.
• Tropical Sensation: Stuff dates with mascarpone cheese, coat with toasted coconut flakes, add a hint of lime zest, and garnish with fresh mint leaves for a vibrant, exotic twist.

Roasted Stuffed Dates Are Little Sweet-Savory Flavor Bombs

• Elevate Flavor Complexity: These roasted stuffed dates combine sweet, tangy, and herbal notes with creamy goat cheese, zesty orange, earthy rosemary, and rich walnuts for a sophisticated taste experience.
• Create Luxurious Texture Contrast: The soft, warm dates merge with creamy cheese and crunchy walnut topping, delivering a delightful multi-dimensional mouthfeel that surprises and delights.
• Craft Quick Gourmet Appetizer: With just 20 minutes total preparation and cooking time, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into an impressive, restaurant-quality starter that looks and tastes incredibly elegant.
• Boost Nutritional Power: Packed with healthy fats from walnuts, natural sugars from dates, and protein from goat cheese, this dish offers a nutrient-dense bite that feels indulgent yet wholesome.

Ingredients for Filling and Roasting Perfect Dates

• Medjool Dates: Sweet, plump fruits perfect for stuffing, choose soft and moist dates without crystallization.

• Goat Cheese, Walnuts: Creamy cheese adds tangy flavor, while chopped walnuts provide rich, nutty crunch and texture.

• Fresh Rosemary, Orange Zest, Orange Juice: Aromatic rosemary brings earthy herb notes, while citrusy orange zest and juice brighten the overall flavor.
• Ground Cinnamon, Sea Salt: Warm cinnamon adds subtle sweetness, and sea salt enhances the other ingredients' taste.

• Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Helps roast dates and adds smooth, fruity undertone.
• Hot Honey: Optional spicy-sweet drizzle that complements the stuffed dates' rich flavors.

Roasted Stuffed Dates Recipe

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4.9 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Medjool dates stuffed with creamy goat cheese and wrapped in crispy prosciutto create an elegant Mediterranean-inspired appetizer. Guests will savor these luxurious bites that blend salty, sweet, and rich flavors in one irresistible package.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 (12 ounces / 340 grams) package pitted Medjool dates
• 1 (4 ounces / 113 grams) log goat cheese, softened to room temperature
• ⅓ cup very finely chopped walnuts

Herbs and Spices:

• 2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt

Citrus and Oil:

• 1 teaspoon orange zest plus 2 teaspoons fresh orange juice (from 1 navel orange)
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Garnish:

• Drizzle of hot honey (optional)

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Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 375ºF (190ºC) and lightly grease a baking vessel to prepare for the roasting process.
2. With a precision knife, delicately split the Medjool dates lengthwise without completely separating them, creating a gentle pocket for filling.
3. Carefully nestle soft goat cheese into the center of each date, ensuring a smooth and creamy interior.
4. Arrange the cheese-filled dates in a single layer within the prepared baking dish, positioning them with care for uniform roasting.
5. Create a fragrant walnut topping by blending chopped walnuts, finely minced rosemary, vibrant orange zest, tangy orange juice, warm ground cinnamon, delicate sea salt, and rich olive oil in a mixing bowl.
6. Lavishly distribute the aromatic walnut mixture over the stuffed dates, coating each morsel generously with the flavorful blend.
7. Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven and roast for approximately 15 minutes, allowing the dates to warm through while the topping turns golden and releases its enticing aroma.
8. Remove from the oven and let the roasted dates rest for 5 minutes to settle their flavors.
9. Transfer the dates to an elegant serving platter and, for an optional luxurious touch, drizzle with spicy-sweet hot honey to elevate the dish’s complexity.

Notes

• Dates transform from simple fruits to luxurious appetizers through careful stuffing and roasting techniques.
• Minimal ingredients deliver maximum flavor, creating an elegant party bite that impresses guests with minimal kitchen effort.
• Unexpected flavor combinations like goat cheese, rosemary, and orange zest elevate these bite-sized treats from ordinary to extraordinary.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 120
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 80 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 6 mg