Three Easy Stuffed Dates Appetizers: Sweet, Savory, and Impressive
Make three popular stuffed dates variations—Goat Cheese, Bacon Wrapped, and Cream Cheese—for quick, impressive party snacks that balance sweet and savory flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 12 min
- Total Time: 27 min
- Yield: 24 bites 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking and No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 24 Medjool dates
- 4 ounces soft goat cheese, room temperature
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 12 thin slices bacon, cut in half crosswise
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped chives
- 1 teaspoon orange zest (optional, for goat cheese version)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare the dates: Carefully slice each date lengthwise down one side and remove the pit. Set aside.
- Prepare the Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates: In a small bowl, mix the goat cheese, chopped nuts, and orange zest (if using). Stuff about 1/2 teaspoon of the mixture into the opening of 8 pitted dates. Drizzle lightly with honey before placing them on the baking sheet.
- Prepare the Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Dates: Take one half-slice of bacon and wrap it tightly around 8 of the remaining pitted dates. Secure the bacon with a toothpick if necessary. Place these on the baking sheet.
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Stuffed Dates (No Bake): In a separate bowl, mix the cream cheese and chives until combined. Stuff about 1/2 teaspoon of this mixture into the remaining 8 pitted dates. Set these aside; they do not require baking.
- Bake the savory dates: Place the goat cheese stuffed dates and the bacon wrapped dates in the preheated oven. Bake for 8 to 12 minutes, or until the bacon is crisp and the cheese is slightly melted and golden.
- Remove the baked dates from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving.
- Arrange all three types of stuffed dates on a serving platter for your guests.
Notes
- For the bacon wrapped dates, you can bake them for 15 minutes at 400°F (200°C) for extra crispiness.
- If you prefer a no-bake savory option, use Boursin cheese instead of plain cream cheese for the third variety.
- Serve these immediately after cooling slightly for the best texture contrast.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 date bite
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 85
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Unsaturated Fat: 4
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 14
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 3
- Cholesterol: 15