Here’s an easy finger food: goat cheese stuffed dates! Quick to make, the sweet and savory combo keeps everyone coming back for more.

Want our new favorite trick for entertaining? Goat cheese stuffed dates! Yes, these beauties are incredibly easy to make, and the flavor of this simple pairing is outrageous. There’s the sweet caramel chewiness of Medjool dates. Pair that with tangy, fluffy goat cheese, and the sweet-savory combo is out of this world. Top them with a dusting of pistachios and a sprinkle of smoked paprika, and wowza! It also works as a quick snack or “side” for a healthy lunch, and involves no cooking at all.

What you need to make stuffed dates

These stuffed dates are so easy to make, they’re perfect as a finger food for a party or a no-think snack when you’re hangry. Honestly, Alex and I love these so much: and our 3-year-old Larson does too! Our favorite recipes are quick and simple pairings like this one, that taste way greater than the sum of their parts. Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe:

Medjool dates: These dates are very large and have a sweet caramely flavor. They’ve become very popular because they’re used in energy bars like Larabars (here’s our homemade version) and other no-bake treats.
Goat cheese: Use your favorite soft goat cheese for this recipe.
Pistachios: Pistachios crushed into a dust are used for the topping here
Smoked paprika: Spanish smoked paprika or pimentón brings a smoky savoriness: don’t even think about omitting it! You can find it in the spice aisle at your local grocery.
Salt & pepper: Flaky sea salt and fresh ground pepper round out the toppings.

Topping stuffed dates: a few tips!

All you have to do for this recipe is pit the dates, then spoon in a little fluffy goat cheese. Here are a couple simple tips to think about as you make these goat cheese stuffed dates:

Use room temp goat cheese, or soften it up with your hands. It’s easiest to work with the goat cheese when it’s at room temperature and not cold right out of the refrigerator. If you don’t have time to let it sit on the counter for a few minutes, you can just use your hands to massage it right in the package. This softens it up and makes it easier to get spoonfuls!
A little smoked paprika goes a long way! When you add the smoked paprika, a little goes a long way. You can use the tiniest sprinkle, and still taste the delicious smokiness. We did this to simulate the flavor of bacon, which is often used in combination with dates.

Alternative to goat cheese stuffed dates: nut butter!

If you eat vegan or plant based, try nut butter instead of goat cheese in these stuffed dates. It’s irresistibly good and tastes a bit like a treat. Even better, top with a sprinkle of sea salt! Here are a few ideas for a plant based option; you can stuff dates with

Peanut butter
Almond butter
Cashew butter
Homemade nut butter
Sunflower butter for nut allergies

Enhance the flavor with honey (optional)

If you want to take these stuffed dates to the next level: top with a very tiny drizzle of honey! Now, this is totally optional. When we tried this, Alex didn’t like the honey version as much as I did. So try it and see what fits your personal tastes! To me, it elevated the flavor and enhanced everything, much like salt would to a savory dish.

Again, be careful: you only need the smallest drizzle of honey! Too much and the honey overwhelms the flavor.

When to serve stuffed dates

There are so many occasions when you could serve these goat cheese stuffed dates! Here are some ideas:

Healthy snack or gluten free snack idea
Healthy lunch idea (pair with chickpea salad or a sandwich)
Finger food idea for parties
Gluten free appetizer
Game day spread (Superbowl or others)
Starter for a Mediterranean style meal
Kid friendly food (our kid loves them!)

Fun fact: Medjool dates are fresh fruits!

Here’s a fun thing we learned about Medjool dates when making this stuffed dates recipe. Contrary to what you might think, they’re not a dried fruit! Medjool dates are actually fresh fruits. They’re harvested from the date palm tree and then packaged immediately. There’s no processing, so they’re not dried at all!

Where to buy Medjool dates?

Looking for Medjool dates? They’ve become quite popular lately, and you can find them at most mainstream grocery stores in the US. Look in your grocery in the produce aisle (many times next to the bananas), or near the dried fruits. You can also order them online.

How to store Medjool dates? Store them at room temperature for 1 to 2 months, in the refrigerator for up to 6 months, and about 1 year frozen. (Source) You may notice that some dates will develop a white powder on the outside. It’s perfectly normal, not mold! It’s just the natural sugars in the date rising to the skin.

More recipes with Medjool dates

Outside of these stuffed dates, what else can you make with Medjool dates? So many things! Here are some of our favorites:

Fudgy Raw Brownies These raw brownies are impossibly fudgy and chocolatey! Made simply of walnuts, dates, and cocoa powder, they will rock your world.
Pecan Energy Bars or Cashew No Bake Energy Bars These energy bars are like homemade Larabars, and are the perfect wholesome snack!
Green Apple Smoothie or Coconut Strawberry Smoothie You can use Medjool dates to sweeten smoothies! Try these naturally sweet flavors. (Or our Healthy Chocolate Milkshake.)

This easy stuffed dates recipe is…

Vegetarian and gluten-free. For vegan, plant-based, and dairy-free, use peanut butter or almond butter.