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.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
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)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375ºF (190ºC) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for roasting the stuffed dates evenly.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Top Dates: Spoon the walnut mixture evenly over each goat cheese stuffed date, making sure each piece is generously covered.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
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
