Easy Stuffed Dates Recipe

This easy stuffed dates recipe pairs sweet Medjool dates with tangy goat cheese for a delicious no-cook appetizer ready in 15 minutes!

Want my favorite party trick? Stuffed dates! These fun appetizers are incredibly easy to make, and the flavor of this simple pairing is incredible. 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 a cookbook author obsessed with simple ways to make food taste delicious, I’m all in on this finger food idea for parties and meals.

Featured Reader Review

”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!” -Suzi

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, I love these so much: and our son 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.

Tips for the Best Stuffed Dates

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.

Filling and Topping Variations

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

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.

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

Make Ahead and Storage

You can make stuffed dates up to 1 day in advance and refrigerate until serving. Dates firm up when they’re cold, so let them come to room temperature before serving. If you can, add the pistachios and honey just before serving.

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.

Dietary Notes

This stuffed dates recipe is vegetarian and gluten-free. For vegan, plant-based, and dairy-free, use peanut butter or almond butter.

Frequently Asked Questions

What cheese is best for stuffed dates?

Soft goat cheese is my favorite because its tang balances the sweetness. Ricotta, mascarpone, and cream cheese can work too.

Are Medjool dates dried fruit?

No! They’re harvested from the date palm tree and packaged as a fresh fruit, with no drying step in between.

Can stuffed dates be frozen?

Nut butter stuffed dates can be frozen in a sealed container.

Do dates need to be washed before eating?

Packaged Medjool dates are ready to eat. If they look dusty, you can give them a quick rinse but the white powder is just sugars rising to the surface and is perfectly safe to eat.