Stuffed Dates 4 Ways

Stuffed dates are an easy, no-cook appetizer (or snack!) that can be made in a variety of ways. Fill fruity and chewy dates with FOUR creamy, cheesy, and savory fillings to get your sweet and salty fix. Make just one type or make them all!

about these stuffed dates

Dates are little wrinkly nuggets that are soft, chewy, and have a bit of a caramel taste to them. I used to practically live off of them when I lived in Italy. It was the first time I tried them and I became addicted immediately. The texture and the flavor begs to be added to, and this is what makes them ideal for stuffing full of your favorite ingredients!

The fruit has this perfect little groove where the pit used to be. It’s like nature’s own edible bowl, just begging you to get creative.

We’ve got four tasty combos for you in this post, ranging from sweet to savory. And the best part? These stuffed dates are perfect for just about any occasion. Movie night with the gang? Check. Healthy afternoon pick-me-up? You bet. Last-minute appetizers for that dinner party you forgot you were hosting? These dates have your back.

They’re easy to make, fun to eat, and trust me, they’ll disappear faster than you can say “More, please!”

our four variations

Let’s chat about our four variations!

Mascarpone Orange

A creamy combination of mascarpone and orange zest. Topped with pistachio for a nice salty crunch.

Goat Cheese Rosemary

Mixing together goat cheese and rosemary gives you just the right balance of tangy, creamy, and herbaceous. Top them off with walnuts to give them some added texture, but this is optional!

Peanut Butter Cup

This is one of the easiest options! Simply use your favorite nut butter to stuff the dates. Then dip them in chocolate and sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Salty, sweet, and so addictive!

Bacon and Blue

The classic combination of bacon and blue cheese to fill these dates! Top them with a bit of fresh time to elevate them even more. They are essentially like bacon-wrapped baked dates, without all the work of wrapping and baking the dates.

this recipe’s must-haves

All you need to make these dates is a cutting board and a chef’s knife for prepping ingredients!

here’s how to make stuffed dates

prepare the dates

If you are using dates with their pits, make a slit in the middle of the date (vertically). Remove the pit and set aside. Try not to slice all the way through the date as this will make it hard to stuff them.

If you are using pitted dates, make a vertical slit. You will likely end up slicing through the date, and this is ok. You’ll just need to be mindful to pinch them back together once they’ve been stuffed.

make the filling

Mix together the various fillings as instructed.

Stuff the dates with the nut butter or cheese mixtures.

top them off

Sprinkle them with the toppings listed for each. For the peanut butter cup dates, dip the dates in chocolate, covering the cut side.

tips and tricks

make them vegan. You can easily make these vegan by using vegan cheese products to make it dairy-free.

use pitted dates. Make things easier by using pitted dates! Since the fillings are all sticky, the date will not fall apart when they are stuffing with any of these fillings.

More tasty bite-sized appetizers to try: Potato Cheese Balls | Marinated Mozzarella Balls | BBQ Bacon Wrapped Shrimp | Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

what kind of dates should I use?

For the best results, use Medjool dates. They are large enough to hold a good amount of filling, which is the primary reason we love to use them. These dates are also large, soft, and have a caramel/honey-like flavor. They are simply the best dates!

can you freeze stuffed dates?

Yes you can! We recommend freezing them on a sheet pan until they are frozen solid before adding to a bag or container. They will last for up to 3 months! All you have to do is thaw them in the refrigerator overnight.

how long do these stuffed dates last?

Stuffed dates keep in the refrigerator really well! Simply add them to an airtight container and store for up to 5 to 7 days. How long they will last depends on what you stuff them with. Some will last even longer, up to 2 weeks, if you aren’t using bacon or another type of meat.

what else can I stuff dates with?

You can stuff these dates with so many things! Here are some fun ideas to try out next:

• Stir together ricotta, honey, and orange zest. Stuff the dates and top them with walnuts.
• Stuff with almond butter. Top with coconut flakes, then dip in melted chocolate. Sprinkle with fleur de sel. It’s like an Almond Joy!
• Combine cream cheese with sundried tomatoes and fresh basil. Stuff and top with a pecan.
• Stir together cooked chorizo and queso fresco. Stuff and enjoy!
• If you like Snickers, stuff the dates with crunchy peanut butter, then dip in chocolate.
• Make it PB&J by stuffing with some peanut butter and your favorite jelly.

Need some inspiration for appetizers? Check out my appetizers recipe page!

what to serve with stuffed dates

Stuffed dates are a delicious snack or appetizer served all on their own. You can make just one type of stuffed date, or you can make all of them to serve for a party. We like to serve them on a charcuterie board as an added little extra. Here are some of our favorite seasonal charcuterie boards to add them to:

A simple and quick weeknight cheese board is the easiest one to whip up!

Get festive with this Christmas cheese board for the holidays.

Make the most of fresh fruit with this fruit charcuterie board.

Your summer backyard BBQ should definitely have a summer charcuterie board as the main appetizer!

As the weather turns chilly in the fall, break out a fall charcuterie board to pair with hot mulled cider.

how to store

Store. For the dates that are stuffed with cheese, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will be good for about 5 to 7 days. For those that are not stuffed with a cheese or other perishable ingredient, they can be left in a cool place, stored in a container.

Freeze. Any of these stuffed dates will freeze well. Place them in an even layer on a baking sheet and freeze until frozen solid, about 2 to 3 hours. Add them to a storage container or a resealable bag to store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Thaw. Thaw the stuffed dates in the refrigerator overnight before consuming.

more recipes with dates

Want to elevate your stuffed dates? Make bacon wrapped dates stuffed with goat cheese, thyme, and bacon.

Start the day with a slice of ricotta, date, and hazelnut toast. Topped with a spied rum honey, it’s a sweet and creamy pairing for your morning cup of coffee.

Warm and cozy stuffed baked apples are filled with dates, granola and warming spices. It’s a crunchy and sweet dessert that’s also on the healthier side!

Finally, if you make any of these stuffed dates recipes, please be sure to give this recipe a star recipe rating on the recipe card and/or leave a comment! I love to hear when you all make recipes, and I do take the time to respond to every single comment.

Feel free to drop questions below too, if you have them!

Oh and be sure to tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest if you make the recipe! I love being able to see these recipes come to life in your homes – it’s my favorite thing to look through those photos. It really means the world to me!