Roasted Stuffed Dates with Goat Cheese, Walnuts, and Orange Zest Recipe
These Roasted Stuffed Dates are a delightful appetizer combining the natural sweetness of Medjool dates with creamy goat cheese, aromatic rosemary, and a hint of orange and cinnamon. Topped with a walnut mixture and finished with a drizzle of hot honey, this recipe offers a perfect balance of flavors and textures, ideal for serving warm at gatherings or as an elegant snack.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: About 24 stuffed dates 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Dates and Filling
- 1 (12-oz.) pkg. pitted Medjool dates
- 1 (4-oz.) log goat cheese, softened to room temperature
Walnut Topping
- 1/3 cup very finely chopped walnuts
- 2 tsp. minced fresh rosemary
- 1 tsp. orange zest
- 2 tsp. fresh orange juice (from 1 navel orange)
- 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp. sea salt
- 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
Garnish
- A drizzle of hot honey (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dates: Preheat your oven to 375ºF. Using a small sharp knife, such as a paring knife, carefully slice each pitted Medjool date lengthwise, being careful not to cut all the way through. Gently open each date and stuff them with 1 to 2 teaspoons of softened goat cheese.
- Prepare Walnut Mixture: In a small bowl, combine the finely chopped walnuts, minced fresh rosemary, orange zest, fresh orange juice, ground cinnamon, sea salt, and extra-virgin olive oil. Mix thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Assemble and Bake: Arrange the stuffed dates in a 9×9-inch baking pan, round cake pan, or small baking sheet. Spoon the walnut mixture evenly over the stuffed dates. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes.
- Rest and Garnish: After baking, remove from the oven and let the dates rest for 5 minutes. Transfer them carefully to a serving platter and drizzle with hot honey for an optional sweet finish. Serve warm for the best flavor experience.
Notes
- Softening the goat cheese at room temperature makes stuffing the dates easier and helps with even filling.
- If hot honey is unavailable, you can lightly warm regular honey before drizzling.
- Medjool dates are preferred for their larger size and natural sweetness, but other large soft dates can be substituted.
- For a nut-free version, omit the walnuts and substitute with finely chopped seeds or omit topping entirely.
- These can be prepared ahead and baked just before serving to save time.
Keywords: Roasted stuffed dates, appetizer, goat cheese, walnuts, Medjool dates, rosemary, orange zest, baked dates, party snacks
