Description
These Roasted Stuffed Dates are filled with creamy goat cheese and topped with a savory mixture of walnuts, fresh rosemary, orange, cinnamon, and olive oil. Roasted until warm and tender, then finished with optional hot honey, they’re an easy sweet-and-savory appetizer for holidays, parties, or entertaining.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 (12-ounce) package pitted Medjool dates
- 1 (4-ounce) log goat cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1/3 cup walnuts, very finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, minced
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 2 teaspoons fresh orange juice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- Hot honey, for drizzling (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Prepare the dates: Using a small, sharp paring knife, slice each date lengthwise without cutting all the way through. Gently open each date to create a pocket.
- Stuff with goat cheese: Fill each date with about 1 to 2 teaspoons of softened goat cheese.
- Arrange the dates: Place the stuffed dates in a 9×9-inch baking pan, round cake pan, or on a small baking sheet.
- Make the walnut topping: In a small bowl, combine the finely chopped walnuts, rosemary, orange zest, orange juice, cinnamon, sea salt, and olive oil. Mix well.
- Top the dates: Spoon the walnut mixture evenly over the goat cheese-stuffed dates.
- Roast: Transfer to the oven and bake for 15 minutes.
- Rest: Remove from the oven and let the dates rest for 5 minutes.
- Finish and serve: Transfer to a serving platter and drizzle with hot honey, if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
- Let the goat cheese soften to room temperature before stuffing the dates. It will be much easier to work with.
- Chop the walnuts very finely so the topping stays on the dates.
- Avoid slicing completely through the dates when opening them.
- Fresh orange zest and rosemary add the best flavor.
- Hot honey is optional but adds a delicious sweet-and-spicy finish.
- Serve the dates warm for the best creamy, tender texture.
- Pecans can be substituted for walnuts if preferred.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Roasting / Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 stuffed dates
- Calories: 190 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 125 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 7 mg