Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates (Easy Party Appetizer)

These goat cheese stuffed dates are candy, tangy, and slightly crunchy from pistachios. It’s a chic appetizer that takes about 20 minutes and is at all times a winner.

Make a batch of those whenever you’re quick on time however need one thing that appears spectacular. Plus, these goat cheese stuffed dates come collectively in about 20 minutes with barely any cooking concerned.

The dates deliver pure caramel sweetness, the goat cheese and cream cheese combine goes tender, salty and tangy in opposition to that, and the pistachios add the little bit of crunch that stops every chew from being one-note. A drizzle of honey and a pinch of flaky salt on the finish tie the entire thing collectively. They’re simply pretty much as good served chilly straight from the fridge as they’re barely warmed, so there’s no dangerous technique to serve them should you’re pressed for time.

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What You’ll Want

Here’s what you’ll want for this goat cheese stuffed dates recipe. Discover the complete measurements within the recipe card beneath.

• Medjool dates — look particularly for Medjool, not common dried dates. They’re greater, softer and extra caramel-sweet, and so they maintain the filling with out splitting.
• Goat cheese — brings the tang. Softened at room temperature so it mixes easily.
• Cream cheese — mellows out the goat cheese should you don’t need it too sharp. Swap the ratio in favor of goat cheese should you love that tangier taste.
• Honey — provides sweetness to the filling and doubles as a ending drizzle.
• Lemon zest — brightens the entire filling so it doesn’t style flat.
• Black pepper and sea salt — a small quantity goes a good distance in balancing the sweetness.
• Pistachios — roasted and finely chopped, for crunch and shade. Pecans or walnuts work as a swap.
• Contemporary thyme and flaky sea salt — for garnish, however don’t skip them — they make the platter look completed.

How To Make Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates

Discover the complete recipe and dietary info beneath. Right here’s the short rundown of the way it comes collectively.

• Slice every date lengthwise and take away the pit, protecting the date in any other case intact.
• Combine the goat cheese, cream cheese, honey, lemon zest and black pepper in a small bowl till easy.
• Spoon the filling into every date, barely overfilling so it’s seen.
• Press chopped pistachios into the uncovered filling.
• Prepare on a platter, end with thyme leaves and a pinch of flaky salt.
• Serve immediately, or chill for as much as 24 hours and produce to room temperature earlier than serving.
• Elective: heat by way of within the oven for a softer, gooier filling.

Recipe Suggestions

• Use Medjool dates particularly, as common dried dates are smaller and drier and received’t maintain the filling the identical means.
• Should you’re an enormous goat cheese fan, shift the ratio towards extra goat cheese and fewer cream cheese. Should you choose it milder, do the other.
• Carry these to room temperature for 20-Half-hour earlier than serving; straight from the fridge, the filling companies up and the dates lose a few of their sweetness and softness.
• Maintain off on the honey drizzle and flaky salt till simply earlier than serving should you’re making these forward, in order that they don’t go soggy.
• For a heat model, place the stuffed dates on a baking sheet and heat by way of within the oven simply earlier than serving — the filling goes barely gooey, which is genuinely pretty.

Serving Ideas

These are constructed for a grazing desk or cheese board, however additionally they work properly plated as a starter earlier than an even bigger meal. The sweet-tangy-salty mixture is a pleasant distinction if the primary course is wealthy or savory. Serve them with different finger meals like a whipped feta dip or a easy crostini unfold, or allow them to sit on their very own platter with a bit of additional honey on the facet for drizzling.