This stuffed dates recipe is sweet, savory, crunchy, gooey, and completely addicting! Quick and easy to make, it’s perfect for everything from holiday parties to weekday treats.
Why you’ll love this roasted dates recipe
I first discovered this stuffed dates recipe when scrolling online. Given that I love dates on their own, I knew I had to try it out and was immediately hooked!
Of course, I put my own spin on the first recipe I found, but ever since then, these roasted dates have been one of my all-time favorite snacks.
- Easy – Who said delicious recipes had to be complicated? This one comes together with just three ingredients and is ready to eat in 20 minutes!
- Flavor – Once roasted, Medjool dates taste like little balls of caramel. Then, we add cream cheese and roasted nuts for savory, tangy flavors that balance out the sweetness perfectly. The combination is seriously so addicting!
- Texture – The dates provide a nice chewiness that pairs well with the soft, creamy consistency of the cream cheese. Then, the roasted nuts add a satisfying crunch.
Sweet, savory, tangy, soft, chew, and crunchy, this stuffed date recipe truly has it all! Serve the dates on their own as an afternoon treat. Or, add them to a holiday appetizer spread with cheesy bacon crackers and homemade jalapeño poppers. Just be warned that you’re not likely to have any left!
Key Ingredient Notes
- Dates – I recommend using Medjool dates, because they’re super sweet and fairly large, making them easier to stuff.
- Cream cheese – For the best taste and texture use full-fat, brick-style cream cheese, not whipped cream cheese from a tub.
- Nuts – Use pecan, walnut halves, or a mixture of both for a nutty taste and a bit of crunch.
How to make roasted stuffed dates
Before you begin, preheat your oven to 350°F, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Pit the dates by making a small slit lengthwise and discarding the hard pit in the center of the fruit.
Keep the dates intact
Be careful not to slice all the way through the dates! Make sure to slice just before reaching the other side, creating a pocket to the hold the filling.
- Fill each date with about ½ to 1 teaspoon of cream cheese. Then, top them with the nuts.
- Arrange the stuffed dates on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake just until the dates are soft and caramelized and the nuts are lightly toasted. This takes about 10-15 minutes!
Stuffed Dates Recipe Variations
I love the simplicity of these roasted dates, but you can easily experiment with different flavor combinations to make them your own! Some ideas include:
- Fruit – Add small fruit such as thinly sliced apples, pomegranate arils, or dried cranberries when stuffing the dates.
- Honey – Finish your dates with a drizzle of plain or hot honey.
- Cheese – Swap out or add to the cream cheese with a mild cheese like goat cheese, feta cheese, or blue cheese.
- Meat – Wrap the dates with bacon or prosciutto before baking for an added element of salty flavor.
- Chocolate – Add chocolate chips to the cream cheese filling for a candy bar-inspired recipe.
- Seasonings – Mix the cream cheese with herbs or spices like rosemary, thyme, or everything but the bagel seasoning for a unique taste.
Tips for Success
- Buy pitted dates to cut down on prep time, and just slice lengthwise, creating a slit so you can stuff the fruit.
- Avoid overstuffing the dates, or the cream cheese will ooze out and burn as it bakes.
- Keep a close eye on the oven, and remove the dates as soon as they’re caramelized. Any longer, and the natural sugars will cause the dish to burn!
Storing Tips
This stuffed dates recipe is best served right away while still warm. However, if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Enjoy the dates cold. Or, quickly warm them in the microwave, oven, or air fryer just until heated through.
FAQs:
On their own, dates are an excellent source of nutrients like copper, magnesium, potassium, and vitamin B6. Then, we pair them with nuts, which are a good source of healthy fats, and cream cheese, which provides a good amount of vitamin D and calcium from the dairy. So, all in all, I’d say this recipe qualifies as healthy! Of course, be sure to consult your doctor if you have any specific concerns.
If your dates are a bit hard, try soaking them in boiling water for about 10 minutes to help them soften.
White cheeses such as goat cheese, feta cheese, cream cheese, mascarpone cheese, and brie are most commonly paired with dates. Each cheese offers a different taste and texture. So, feel free to experiment to find which you like best.
More Appetizer Recipes
Roasted Stuffed Dates
Ingredients
- 10 Medjool dates
- 1-2 oz cream cheese
- 10 pecan or walnut halves
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C).
- To pit the dates, make a small slit length-wise and discard the pits.
- Fill each date with about ½-1 teaspoon of cream cheese.
- Then top with pecan or walnut halves.
- Arrange on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes.
⭐️ Did you make this recipe?
Please leave a review and let us know how you liked it!
Tips & Notes
– Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
– Enjoy the dates cold. Or, quickly warm them in the microwave, oven, or air fryer just until heated through.
Nutrition
can this be made dairy free for Whole 30?
Hi, Gabrielle. Not sure what would be a good substitute for cream cheese, as I’m not familiar with vegan diet. And I’ve never tried it without cream cheese.
Can these be made in advanced and stored in the freezer?
Hi, Suzette. I never tried freezing them, but I don’t see why you couldn’t. Let me know if you give it a try.
Made these and they were amazing and so simple.
Yay, so glad you tried these, Tonya! I’m obsessed with these. 🙂
These look delicious!! I love medjool dates myself!! I ought to try this sometime!!
Thanks, Camila. These are addicting. Hope you’ll love these too.