There’s something simply magical about the combination of sweet, chewy dates filled with both savory and sweet surprises. This Stuffed Date Recipes with Savory and Sweet Fillings Recipe is a quick and easy way to elevate your snack game or impress guests with little bites bursting with flavor and texture.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Stuffed Date Recipes with Savory and Sweet Fillings Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Stuffed Date Recipes with Savory and Sweet Fillings Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Stuffed Date Recipes with Savory and Sweet Fillings Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’ve made these stuffed dates more times than I can count because they’re so versatile, fast, and simply delicious. Whether you lean savory, sweet, or a little bit of both, these little treats never disappoint—and they’re perfect for last-minute appetizers or a fancy snack break.
- Super Easy Prep: Just slit, pit, stuff, and you’re done—no baking needed unless you want to warm them up.
- Endless Variety: Six different filling ideas blend creamy, crunchy, sweet, and savory for every palate.
- Impress Instantly: These dates look elegant and taste gourmet, so they’re crowd-pleasers at any gathering.
- Healthy-ish Indulgence: Dates bring natural sweetness and fiber, balanced with nuts, cheese, or fruit for a satisfying bite.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The magic here goes beyond simply stuffing dates. Each ingredient plays a special role—whether it’s creamy cheese or nutty crunch—to balance the date’s luscious sweetness. Shopping for fresh, quality components is your first step to success.
- Soft Medjool Dates: Their natural caramel-like flavor and tender texture make them the perfect vessel for fillings.
- Goat Cheese: Its tangy creaminess contrasts wonderfully with the sweet date and spicy hot honey drizzle.
- Pistachios: These add a lovely crunch and a hint of earthiness that pairs beautifully.
- Hot Honey: The subtle heat with sweet honey rounds out one of my favorite savory-sweet combos.
- Brie Cheese: Rich and melty, brie blends effortlessly with pecan’s buttery crunch.
- Pecan Halves: They add texture and a warm, nutty note that’s comforting.
- Fresh Rosemary: Just a sprinkle of this fragrant herb instantly elevates the flavor profile.
- Ricotta Cheese: Mild and fluffy, ricotta pairs perfectly with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil.
- Sun-Dried Tomato Halves: Their concentrated, tangy flavor contrasts with the creamy cheese and sweet date.
- Fresh Basil Leaves: Offers a bright, aromatic pop that livens up the savory filling.
- Creamy Peanut Butter & Almond Butter: These bring richness and nutty depth to the sweet versions along with chocolate or fruit.
- Roasted Salted Peanuts: Adds texture and a bit of salty crunch to the nut butter-stuffed dates.
- Dark Chocolate Chips: Melted over some versions or dipped, they add decadence and pair naturally with dates.
- Fresh Raspberries & Banana Slices: These fresh fruits add sweet-tart brightness and a burst of juiciness.
Make It Your Way
I love playing around with these stuffed date recipes—sometimes switching up fillings depending on the season or what I have in my fridge. You can easily customize these bites to fit your taste or dietary needs, which is part of the fun.
- Go Savory or Sweet: My personal faves are the goat cheese with hot honey for savory lovers, and almond butter with raspberry for sweet tooths.
- Nut-Free Option: Swap nut butters for cream cheese or mascarpone for allergy-friendly versions that are just as delicious.
- Make It Vegan: Use plant-based cheeses and nut butter, then drizzle with agave instead of honey.
- Try Spices: Add a pinch of cinnamon or cardamom to sweet fillings for warm aromatic hints.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Stuffed Date Recipes with Savory and Sweet Fillings Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Dates
Start by making a clean, careful slit down the side of each date with a small, sharp knife—this is key! Gently remove the pit, trying not to tear the date too much. Lay them out on a plate or parchment-lined sheet if you plan to warm them later. This step is super quick but sets you up for easy stuffing and a neat final look.
Step 2: Choose Your Filling and Fill
Whether you’re spreading in soft goat cheese, tucking in brie and pecans, or dolloping peanut butter, use a small spoon or spreader for neatness. Don’t overfill or the dates will split. For the ricotta version, mix the cheese with a bit of salt and lemon zest before stuffing to brighten the flavors.
Step 3: Add Toppings or Drizzles
Sprinkle nuts, herbs, or drizzle honey or melted chocolate right after filling for an extra layer of flavor. For dipped versions, like the peanut butter dates, dip in melted chocolate and finish with crushed peanuts before the chocolate sets. Keep everything close and ready so you can work quickly while the chocolate melts.
Step 4: Serve or Store
These dates are best served fresh but can be chilled for a bit before serving if you want them firmer. If you’re baking or warming, a quick 3–5 minutes at 350°F helps melt the cheese beautifully. Just watch closely so they don’t dry out.
Top Tip
From my many attempts, here’s what helped me get these stuffed dates just right every single time. It really makes the difference between clumpy and creamy or pristine presentation versus messy.
- Careful Pitting: Use a small, sharp knife and gentle hands to remove pits without tearing; torn dates don’t hold fillings well.
- Temperature Matters: Let cheeses like goat cheese or brie sit at room temp for 10–15 minutes for easier spreading.
- Work Quickly With Chocolate: Melt only what you need and dip fast; chocolate hardens quickly and can make filling a mess otherwise.
- Presentation Counts: A simple sprinkle of chopped nuts or fresh herbs adds color and texture that makes these date bites look like you spent hours fussing.
How to Serve Stuffed Date Recipes with Savory and Sweet Fillings Recipe
Garnishes
I usually finish these with a little something extra—like a sprinkle of chopped pistachios, a touch of fresh rosemary, or an artistic drizzle of honey or chocolate. Not only do garnishes add texture and color, but they literally make your date snacks irresistible. For example, the brie and pecan ones get a fresh rosemary leaf on top for visual beauty and aroma.
Side Dishes
These stuffed dates pair perfectly with a simple cheese platter, a crisp salad, or alongside marinated olives and charcuterie. I especially like serving them with a light white wine or sparkling water with lemon—something that cuts through the sweetness and balances the richness.
Creative Ways to Present
If I’m making these for a party, I like arranging them on a rustic wooden board interspersed with fresh herbs, edible flowers, or colorful fruit slices. For a fun twist, try skewering a few different kinds together—like peanut butter-chocolate with a banana slice next to a rosemary-pecan brie one—so guests get to enjoy multiple flavors in one bite!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once stuffed, these dates keep best in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. If they have fresh herbs or fruit, it’s best to add those fresh before serving to keep them vibrant. I usually cover mine tightly with plastic wrap and eat them chilled or at room temperature later.
Freezing
I haven’t had the best luck freezing the stuffed dates, mainly because the fresh ingredients like basil or raspberries don’t thaw well. However, dates stuffed with nut butters and chocolate can freeze okay if separated individually in parchment paper. Just thaw slowly in the fridge.
Reheating
If you want warm dates, I recommend gently warming them in the oven at 350°F for about 3–5 minutes—just enough to soften the cheese and bring out the aromas without drying out the dates. Avoid microwave reheating as it can turn gooey and uneven very quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions:
While Medjool dates are ideal because they are soft, large, and sweet, you can use other soft, pitted dates. Avoid dry or small dates as they won’t hold fillings well and may be too tough to bite into.
To make vegan stuffed dates, substitute goat cheese and brie with plant-based cheeses or nut-based spreads. Replace honey with maple syrup or agave nectar, and choose vegan chocolates. This way, you keep all the tasty elements while staying plant-friendly.
Yes! You can prep the dates a few hours ahead. Just keep them refrigerated in an airtight container. Add any fresh herbs or fruit toppings just before serving to maintain freshness and vibrant color.
Use a small, sharp knife to make a lengthwise slit and gently open the date. Remove the pit carefully with your fingers or a small spoon. Avoid pulling the date apart as this can cause tearing, which makes stuffing tricky.
Final Thoughts
These stuffed dates with savory and sweet fillings have become my go-to snack and party pleaser because they combine effortless prep with tons of flavor layers. I hope you’ll enjoy making and sharing this Stuffed Date Recipes with Savory and Sweet Fillings Recipe just as much as I do—it’s a simple little joy that’s easy to adapt and always delights.
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Stuffed Date Recipes with Savory and Sweet Fillings Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Snack
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious and versatile stuffed Medjool dates prepared six different ways, featuring sweet and savory fillings like goat cheese with pistachios and hot honey, brie with pecans and rosemary, ricotta with sun-dried tomatoes and basil, peanut butter with chocolate and peanuts, almond butter with fresh raspberries, and peanut butter with banana and chocolate drizzle. Perfect for snacks, appetizers, or parties.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 12 soft Medjool dates (pitted)
Goat Cheese Pistachio Hot Honey Filling
- 4 ounces goat cheese (soft, caramelized onion flavor recommended)
- ¼ cup chopped pistachios
- 3 tablespoons hot honey (or to taste)
Brie Pecan Rosemary Filling
- 4 ounces brie cheese (cut into 12 small pieces, about 1 teaspoon each)
- 12 pecan halves
- Chopped fresh rosemary (to sprinkle)
Ricotta Sun-Dried Tomato Filling
- 4 ounces ricotta cheese
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest (optional)
- 12 oil-packed sun-dried tomato halves
- 12 fresh basil leaves
Snickers Filling
- 4 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
- ¼ cup roasted salted peanuts (finely chopped, divided)
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips (melted)
Almond Butter Raspberry Filling
- 6 tablespoons creamy almond butter
- 12 fresh raspberries
Chunky Monkey Filling
- 4 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
- 12 thin banana slices
- ¼ cup dark chocolate chips (melted)
Instructions
- Prepare Dates: Using the tip of a small, sharp knife, make a slit in each Medjool date and carefully remove the pit. Arrange the dates on a plate or, if baking later, place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Goat Cheese Pistachio Hot Honey: Stuff each date with goat cheese using a small spreader or spoon. Sprinkle the top with chopped pistachios and drizzle with hot honey to taste.
- Brie Pecan Rosemary: Insert a piece of brie cheese and a pecan half into each date. Sprinkle chopped fresh rosemary over the top for a fragrant finish.
- Ricotta Sun-Dried Tomato: In a bowl, mix the ricotta cheese with kosher salt and optional lemon zest. Stuff each date with the ricotta mixture, then add one sun-dried tomato half and a fresh basil leaf inside.
- Snickers Style: Stuff each date with 1 teaspoon of creamy peanut butter and a pinch of finely chopped roasted salted peanuts. Dip the stuffed date into melted dark chocolate chips, allowing excess to drip off, then sprinkle additional chopped peanuts on top before the chocolate sets.
- Almond Butter Raspberry: Fill each date with 1½ teaspoons of creamy almond butter and press one fresh raspberry firmly into the center of each filled date.
- Chunky Monkey: Stuff each date with 1 teaspoon of creamy peanut butter and place a thin slice of banana on top. Drizzle melted dark chocolate chips over the date for a sweet finish.
Notes
- Use soft Medjool dates for easier pitting and stuffing.
- For a warm variation, bake stuffed dates on a parchment-lined baking sheet at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to slightly melt cheeses and chocolate.
- Adjust honey drizzle amount according to your sweetness preference.
- Fresh herbs like rosemary and basil add aromatic complexity to the savory versions.
- Substitute nut butters according to dietary preferences or allergies.
- Store stuffed dates in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 date
- Calories: 122 kcal
- Sugar: 21 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 4 mg
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