Roasted Stuffed Dates with Goat Cheese, Walnuts, and Orange Zest Recipe

If you’ve ever wondered how to take a simple date and turn it into an elegant, flavor-packed appetizer, this Roasted Stuffed Dates with Goat Cheese, Walnuts, and Orange Zest Recipe is an absolute game changer. I love this recipe because it’s a beautiful balance of sweet, savory, and slightly tangy notes—all roasting together into a perfect bite. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or just wanting a sophisticated snack, these little delights never fail to impress.

When I first tried this Roasted Stuffed Dates with Goat Cheese, Walnuts, and Orange Zest Recipe, I wasn’t expecting such a rich flavor explosion from ingredients I already had in my pantry. You’ll find that the warmth from the oven softens the dates and melds the goat cheese with the aromatic walnut and citrus mixture, creating a mouthwatering combo that your guests (or just you!) will crave again and again.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

All the ingredients here work beautifully together to create layers of flavor and texture. When shopping, look for soft and plump Medjool dates—the kind that almost melt in your mouth—and creamy goat cheese that’s easy to spread.

• Medjool dates: Choose fresh, plump dates for the sweetest, juiciest results that roast up perfectly.
• Goat cheese: Use a soft, tangy variety—letting it come to room temperature makes stuffing easier.
• Walnuts: Finely chopped walnuts add a lovely crunch and earthiness; lightly toast them for extra depth if you like.
• Fresh rosemary: Minced rosemary brings a fragrant, herbaceous note that balances the sweetness.
• Orange zest and fresh orange juice: Adds brightness and a subtle citrus kick that livens up the dish.
• Ground cinnamon: Just a pinch warms the flavors without overpowering them.
• Sea salt: Enhances all the flavors and cuts through the richness of the goat cheese.
• Extra-virgin olive oil: Helps blend the walnut mixture and keeps everything moist during roasting.
• Hot honey (optional): A drizzle adds a subtle spicy sweetness that elevates the whole thing beautifully.

Variations

I love how this Roasted Stuffed Dates with Goat Cheese, Walnuts, and Orange Zest Recipe invites creativity. Over time, I’ve tried a few swaps to suit different moods and guests, and you can easily make it your own.

• Swap the nuts: I’ve replaced walnuts with pecans or pistachios and enjoyed a slightly different crunch and flavor that’s just as delicious.
• Herb changes: Fresh thyme or sage can work wonders if you want a twist on the rosemary’s flavor profile.
• Cheese options: If goat cheese isn’t your favorite, cream cheese or ricotta with a touch of lemon zest make good substitutes.
• Make it sweeter or spicy: Add more ground cinnamon or a dash of cayenne to the walnut mix if you like a bit of warmth.

How to Make Roasted Stuffed Dates with Goat Cheese, Walnuts, and Orange Zest Recipe

Step 1: Gently Prepare the Dates

Start by preheating your oven to 375ºF. Using a small sharp knife—like a paring knife—I slice each Medjool date lengthwise but stop before cutting all the way through. You want to create a little pocket without splitting the date apart completely. Then, soften your goat cheese at room temperature and carefully stuff each date with about 1 to 2 teaspoons of it. This soft goat cheese adds a creamy contrast to the sweet, sticky date that I just adore.

Step 2: Make the Walnut Orange Topping

In a small bowl, mix together the finely chopped walnuts, fresh rosemary, orange zest plus juice, ground cinnamon, sea salt, and extra-virgin olive oil. This mixture is where all the fresh herb and citrus magic happens! It enhances the stuffed dates with a crunchy texture and that bright, aromatic flavor I’ve come to look forward to every time I make this recipe.

Step 3: Roast and Serve

Arrange the stuffed dates snugly in a 9×9-inch baking pan or a small baking sheet. Spoon the walnut mixture generously over each date, making sure every bite will have those crunchy, zesty bits. Pop them into the preheated oven and roast for about 15 minutes—you want the dates to warm through and the walnuts to toast lightly, releasing their full flavor. After roasting, I always let them rest for 5 minutes; it helps everything settle and makes them easier to transfer to a serving dish. If you’re feeling fancy, drizzle a bit of hot honey over before serving for that sweet-spicy finish that makes people ask for your recipe!

How to Serve Roasted Stuffed Dates with Goat Cheese, Walnuts, and Orange Zest Recipe

Garnishes

I usually finish these with a drizzle of hot honey because it’s a simple touch that brightens the entire dish with warmth and sweetness. Sometimes I sprinkle a little extra chopped fresh rosemary or a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt to elevate the colors and flavors before serving.

Side Dishes

This recipe pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad or alongside a cheese and charcuterie board. If you’re serving it as part of a brunch spread, try it with crusty artisan bread and a fresh fruit platter—the balance of sweet, savory, and fresh really wins the crowd over!

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to arrange the stuffed dates on a rustic wooden board decorated with orange slices and sprigs of rosemary. Setting them next to little bowls of extra hot honey and nuts lets guests customize their bites, which always gets compliments and sparks conversation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover roasted stuffed dates store well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Before serving again, I recommend warming them slightly in the oven to bring back that soft texture and enhance the flavors.

Freezing

I haven’t frozen these often since they’re best enjoyed fresh and warm, but you can freeze them without the walnut topping to avoid sogginess. Thaw in the fridge overnight and add the topping fresh before roasting.

Reheating

To reheat, place your dates on a baking sheet and warm them in a 350ºF oven for about 8-10 minutes until heated through—this keeps the texture delightful without drying them out.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Roasted Stuffed Dates with Goat Cheese, Walnuts, and Orange Zest Recipe has become one of my favorite crowd-pleasers because it’s deceptively simple but so full of flavor and texture. It’s one of those recipes that feels fancy enough for entertaining yet easy enough to whip up on a regular weeknight. I really hope you’ll give it a try—you might just fall in love with this perfect blend of sweet, savory, and citrusy goodness as much as I have!

Roasted Stuffed Dates with Goat Cheese, Walnuts, and Orange Zest Recipe

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• Author: Lisa
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mediterranean
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Delightfully sweet and savory, these Roasted Stuffed Dates are filled with creamy goat cheese and topped with a fragrant walnut, rosemary, and orange mixture. Baked to warm perfection and finished with a drizzle of hot honey for an irresistible appetizer or snack.

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

Stuffed Dates

• 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)

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Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375ºF (190ºC) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for roasting the stuffed dates evenly.
2. Prepare Dates: Using a small sharp knife, carefully slice each date lengthwise without cutting all the way through, creating a pocket. Gently open each date and fill it with 1 to 2 teaspoons of softened goat cheese.
3. Arrange Dates: Lay the stuffed dates side by side in a 9×9-inch baking pan, round cake pan, or a small baking sheet, ensuring they are evenly spaced for uniform roasting.
4. Mix Topping: In a small bowl, combine finely chopped walnuts, minced rosemary, orange zest, fresh orange juice, cinnamon, sea salt, and extra-virgin olive oil. Stir thoroughly to blend all flavors.
5. Top Dates: Spoon the walnut mixture evenly over each goat cheese stuffed date, making sure each piece is generously covered.
6. Bake: Place the baking pan in the preheated oven and bake the dates for 15 minutes until they are warm and the topping is aromatic.
7. Rest and Serve: Remove the pan from the oven and let the dates rest for 5 minutes. Transfer them to a serving platter and optionally drizzle with hot honey. Serve warm for best flavor.

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Notes

• Softening the goat cheese to room temperature makes stuffing easier and results in a creamier texture.
• Use high-quality Medjool dates for their natural sweetness and soft texture.
• Adjust the amount of goat cheese to your preference if you like a cheesier or lighter filling.
• The hot honey drizzle adds a lovely contrast of sweet heat; omit if serving to guests with dietary restrictions.
• Fresh rosemary provides a fragrant herbaceous note — dried rosemary can be used in a pinch but use less due to its potency.

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Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2 stuffed dates
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 16g
• Sodium: 100mg
• Fat: 8g
• Saturated Fat: 3.5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 18g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 3g
• Cholesterol: 10mg