Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates are quick and easy to make! With a simple method we stuff the dates then oven bake them to perfection. The combination of the creamy goat cheese and sweet dates is a match made in heaven. Ideal to serve as an appetizer, snack or addition to a charcuterie board these stuffed dates with goat cheese literally burst with taste and a variety of textures.
Recipes like the Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Bites, Caramelised Onion Tarts, Goat Cheese Log and the Goat Cheese Grilled Cheese all delight in this creamy tangy cheese!
The Baked Camembert Platter, Microwave Brie, Baked Feta With Honey and the Puff Pastry Cheese Twists are great for snacky snack moments.
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🤍 Recipe Highlights
I have summarised everything that you will come to know and love (LOVE ❤) about the stuffed dates recipe in the points below:
- Simple ingredients: you will be able to get everything you need to make the recipe from the local grocery store. They are all year round ingredients that will be easy to get your hands on.
- Easy method: we simply stuff and oven bake these dates! The cooking method is super straight forward and anyone of all cooking abilities will be able to whip these up.
- Versatile appetizer: these goat cheese stuffed dates work for a wide range of serving opportunities. Perfect for the holiday season they can be an appetizer, snack, party food or work well on a dinner party cheese board or charcuterie platter.
🥗 Ingredients
The photo below is to show you everything you need to make this easy recipe! Please refer to the printable recipe card for specific ingredient measurements as well as detailed instructions.
As you can see the goat cheese-stuffed dates recipe calls for:
- Thyme: fresh herbs for garnish.
- Crushed nuts: for texture.
- Honey: drizzled over the top.
- Goat cheese: tangy and creamy! This soft cheese pairs exceptionally well with dates and is soft and easy to work with.
- Dates: the dates I like to use for this recipe are sweet Medjool dates. They are soft and large so perfect to stuff. If you purchase the pitted variety (seed removed) then it saves one additional step!
🍳 Instructions
Here are the step by step instructions to make the recipe. We start by preparing the dates.
- Prepare the dates (Photo 1)
👩🍳 How to Make Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates
To make the goat cheese stuffed dates start by using a sharp knife and cutting board to slice the dates along the centre then use your fingers to gently pry them open.
If you have purchased dates with the pit in, grab this and pull it out. Then repeat for all of the dates.
- Goat cheese stuffed into dates (Photo 2)
Next, take a teaspoon and spoon a small amount of the goat cheese into the dates as shown in the photo above.
- Sprinkle with the nuts (Photo 3)
Next sprinkle the crushed nuts over the goat cheese and repeat for each date.
- Transfer to baking rack and bake (Photo 4)
Once done, transfer each of the stuffed dates to a wire baking rack as shown in the photo above. If needed you can simply put a sheet of baking paper down and pop the dates onto that.
Now we are ready to bake the dates.
Place the baking tray into the preheated oven on the middle shelf. Let the dates cook for 10 to 12 minutes and when the cook time is up use a pair of oven mitts to remove the tray and place it onto a heatproof surface.
- Drizzle with honey (Photo 5)
Next drizzle the honey over the top of each baked date as shown in the photo above.
Then sprinkle the thyme leaves over the top (they will easily stick to the honey) as shown in the photo below.
- Sprinkle the dates with thyme leaves (Photo 6)
Now that the dates are done you can get ready to serve them! Fresh from the oven whilst still warm is ideal.
🍽 Serving Suggestions
These dates are excellent to serve as an appetizer, party starter or snack.
The drizzle of honey over the top and sprinkle of fresh thyme leaves offers some finishing touches and is a great way to present the dates for serving.
You can simply transfer them to a serving plate and offer them around like you see in the photo below. They are easy to grab so you won't need tongs or other serving utensils.
👍 How to Guide
How to Store
Let the dates cool, then transfer them to a sealed, airtight container with a layer of baking paper on the bottom and in between any stacked layers of the dates.
How to Freeze and Reheat
The stuffed dates are best cooked and consumed without being frozen. Freezing goat cheese can lead to mixed results so it is not recommended.
You can reheat the dates if you wish too for 1-2 minutes on a plate in the microwave.
😉 Substitutions and Variations
Here are my sub ins and outs that you might be thinking about as you read the post and I will tell you if I think they will work or why they won't:
- I like to use crushed nuts as they come like shown in the ingredients photo, you don't need to do anything then other than sprinkle them over the top.
- You can use the same type of nuts as me or try other nuts (crushed into small pieces) like pistachios, walnut halves, pecans or your favorite nut.
- You can use maple syrup in place of the honey if you wish to.
- Or you can use feta cheese in place of the goat cheese if you like.
- If you want another protein in the mix you can cook some bacon, chop it into small pieces and sprinkle that over the top either along with or instead of the crushed nuts.
💡 Tasty Tips
Here are my top tips and tricks that I want to share with you so that you master the recipe from the get go:
- If you purchase pitted dates (where the inner seed or put has been removed) this will save you time! The price difference is much of a muchness.
- Don't be too worried if you accidently fully slice a date in half instead of simply cutting it to open. The cheese will help it stick back together again.
- If you love making snack platers with this and that then you might like to try the Chilli Tomato Jam or Tomato Bacon Jam. These work well with cheese and crackers on an Olive Platter or Grazing Platter 😁.
🤓 Frequently Asked Questions
Goat cheese is an excellent cheese to pair with dates.
Yes, you can bake stuffed dates. Doing so adds a caramelised flavor to the dates with a sweet crispy like taste and texture.
Storing the dates in the fridge in a sealed, airtight container is the best way to keep them soft and fresh.
😍 More Easy Appetizer Recipes
If you love party food, finger food, appetizers and party starters then I have some more ideas for you! Try these on next time you have some friends dropping in:
- Caramelised Onion Sausage Rolls
- Microwave Brie
- Caramelized Onion Brie
- Tater Tot Cups
- Bacon And Cheese Cob Loaf
- Mini Croissant Sandwiches
- Honey Walnut Cream Cheese
- Cream Cheese Bacon Dip
It is time to get our stuffed dates with goat cheese on my friend! You can also find all of my appetizer recipes or dips and spreads in the one spot.
Adrianne
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📖 Recipe
Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates
Ingredients
- 21 medjool dates pitted, Note 1
- 150 grams/6 oz goat cheese Note 2
- 2 tablespoons crushed nuts Note 3
To serve
- honey Note 4
- thyme Note 5
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: preheat the oven to 180°C / 350-375°F / Gas Mark 4-5.
- Dates: use a sharp knife and cutting board to slice the dates along the centre then use your fingers to gently pry them open. If using pitted dates, pull the pit to remove it and discard. Repeat for all dates. Note 4
- Goat cheese: next take a teaspoon and spoon a small amount of the goat cheese into the hole for each date.
- Crushed nuts: next sprinkle a small amount of the crushed nuts over the top of the cheese and repeat for each date.
- Baking tray: transfer each of the stuffed dates onto a wire rack above a baking tray. Then place the rack and tray into the oven and bake the dates for 10 to 12 minutes. Once the cook time is up, use an oven mitt to remove the cooked dates from the oven and place them onto a heatproof surface.
- Honey: drizzle a small amount of honey over the top of each date.
- Thyme: then sprinkle the thyme leaves over the honey layer and repeat for each date.
- To serve: the dates can be served warm, fresh from the oven or after being refrigerated.
Notes
- Note 1 - Medjool dates: if you purchase pitted dates this will save you 1 step as you won't have to remove the pitt from each date. The cost difference between the dates with the pitt versus without it are minimal.
- Note 2 - Goat cheese: I like to use the spreadable version of goat cheese that comes in a small barrel (similar to cream cheese). You can also use packaged goat cheese that is long and thin. Remove the packaging, transfer to a small bowl and stir to soften it. The only type of goat cheese that won't work well is goat cheese slices.
- Note 3 - Crushed nuts: you can purchase 'crushed nuts' from the cooking aisle in the grocery store where the flour, dried fruits and nuts are. These are crushed peanuts. They are very small pieces and the perfect size for topping the stuffed dates with. If you want to crush your own nuts you can, Similarly you can use a different type of nut and crush it such as walnuts or pistachios.
- Note 4 - Honey: this is not specified as an exact amount as it can vary. I use a wooden honey dipper and dip it into about 1 tablespoon of honey that I have squeezed into a small bowl. You can do the same and top it up as needed if you drizzle a little more on. (1-2 tablespoons).
- Note 5 - Thyme: you will find it easiest to pull the leaves from the sprigs if you start at the base and pull up (bottom to top) as opposed to top to bottom. Similar to the honey, there is not a specific amount that you need. Although for reference purposes you can use 2-3 sprigs.
- Note 6 - Preparing the dates: if some of the dates break if half when you have sliced them to open them that is fine. We can use the goat cheese to help stick them back together again. In saying that we are slicing to open the dates, not so much to cut in half so stop before you slice too far as your technique.
Rebecca says
Medjool dates are my fav! Looking forward to trying.
Adrianne says
I hope you enjoy them Rebecca 😄.
Marcia says
I have read through the recipe twice and know I must just be missing it somehow, but what temperature do I bake them at?
Laura says
I also can’t find it!
Adrianne says
Thanks Laura! I have updated the recipe card to ensure that this instruction is clear! 😄😄
Adrianne says
I apologise Marcia!! Have updated the recipe card now, but it is Preheat the oven: preheat the oven to 180°C / 350-375°F / Gas Mark 4-5. Thank-you for letting me know. Sorry! I hope that this didn't slow you down.