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Savoury Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates (Vegetarian)

December 2, 2020

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This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy

These savoury goat cheese stuffed dates are topped with pistachios, walnuts, thyme, and honey! They’re SUCH a quick, easy, and delicious appetizer recipe to serve at your next get together. Recipe is vegetarian and gluten-free.

overhead photo of wood cutting board with 25 date halves stuffed with goat cheese and topped with walnuts, pistachios, honey, and thyme

Looking for a quick and easy appetizer idea to serve at your next gathering? These dates stuffed with goat cheese and nuts are just what you need!

This savoury stuffed date recipe is only 6 simple ingredients, all of which pack in a ton of nutrition benefits. This appetizer is not only delicious, but healthy too!

Even better? There’s no real cooking involved and these take only 20 minutes to make!

I hope you love them as much as I do 🙂

overhead photo of hand grabbing one of 12 medjool dates stuffed with goat cheese and topped with walnuts, pistachios, honey, and thyme on a wood cutting board

Ingredients Needed

You only need a handful of simple ingredients to make this stuffed dates recipe:

  • medjool dates (I find these a lot more moist and juicy compared to other date varieties)
  • goat cheese
  • raw pistachios and/or walnuts
  • thyme (fresh or dried, but fresh is a bit prettier for serving)
  • honey
overhead photo of wood cutting board with white bowls of ingredients

How To Make Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates

This is seriously one of the easiest appetizers you can make! It’s just a few steps and zero cooking time involved.

To start, take a pairing knife and slice medjool dates in half lengthwise.

Remove the pit and set dates aside.

overhead photo of medjool dates cut in half on a wood cutting board

Once all dates are pitted, take a regular knife and smear a small amount of goat cheese into each date half.

closeup overhead photo of medjool dates sliced in half and stuffed with goat cheese

Then, press either walnuts or pistachios into the goat cheese. Use 1-2 nuts per date, depending on size.

Serve dates on a plate or tray. Lightly drizzle some honey overtop, and sprinkle them with fresh thyme.

That’s it!

closeup photo of multiple dates cut in half, stuffed with goat cheese, and topped with walnuts, pistachios, honey, and fresh thyme

Recipe Modifications & Variations

I love this particular combination of ingredients, but there are many ways that you can enjoy these savoury stuffed dates!

If you don’t like goat cheese, try a different kind of cheese. Dates pair well with brie, blue cheese, or ricotta.

Instead of honey, you could also try drizzling these dates with a balsamic reduction.

Instead of thyme, you can try sprinkling another herb on top, such as rosemary.

Feel free to also try these with another type of nut, like almonds or pecans!

How To Store Stuffed Dates

While the ingredients will be safe to eat if stored in the refrigerator, stuffed dates are best enjoyed fresh and at room temperature!

If you’d like to make them ahead of time, I would recommend pitting and stuffing the dates with the goat cheese only. Store these in an airtight container in the fridge, then remove and add the nuts, thyme, and honey within an hour of serving.

overhead photo of wood cutting board with 15 date halves stuffed with goat cheese and topped with walnuts, pistachios, honey, and thyme

Are Stuffed Dates Healthy?

You bet! These savoury stuffed dates are packed with simple, nutritious ingredients. Check out some of their nutrition facts below.

Medjool Date Nutrition:

  • rich in dietary fibre (2 dates provide over 3 grams)
  • a source of essential micronutrients like potassium, magnesium, copper, manganese, iron, and vitamin B6
  • a source of antioxidants like flavonoids, carotenoids, and phenolic acid
  • like other dried fruit, they’re a concentrated source of natural sugar and are not a low sugar food
    • despite their high sugar content, they also pack in a ton of nutrition benefits and can be enjoyed in moderation!
    • the protein, fibre, and fat content of the other ingredients in this recipe will lessen the impact of dates on blood sugar

Goat Cheese Nutrition:

  • a one-ounce serving of goat cheese provides 6 grams of complete protein and 8 grams of fat
  • a good source of micronutrients, like calcium and phosphorous (important for bone health), vitamin A, riboflavin, and iron.
  • some individuals who are lactose intolerant may actually find that they tolerate goat milk products, since they are naturally lower in lactose!

Walnut Nutrition:

  • rich in heart-healthy unsaturated fats, including omega-3s.
    • walnuts are the only nut that contains significant amounts of ALA, the precursor to the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA.
    • omega-3 is anti-inflammatory and highly beneficial for the health of our heart and brain.
  • a decent source of protein and dietary fibre
  • rich in micronutrients like vitamin B6, E, folate, copper, phosphorus, and manganese.

Pistachio Nutrition:

  • a good source of fibre, with a 1-ounce serving providing 3 grams
  • a source of plant-based protein, with 6 grams per 1 ounce serving
  • rich in heart-healthy unsaturated fats
  • a good source of micronutrients, like copper, vitamin B6, thiamine, manganese, phosphorus, and potassium
closeup photo of 12 medjool dates cut in half, stuffed with goat cheese, and topped with walnuts, pistachios, honey, and fresh thyme

More Healthy Appetizer Recipes

  • Savoury Spiced Nuts (Roasted)
  • Baked Feta With Tomatoes & Peppers
  • How To Make A Low FODMAP Cheese Board
  • Canned Salmon Crostini: 3 Ways
  • Baked Parsnip Fries With Honey Mustard Sauce
  • Healthy Roasted Vegetable Dips: 3 Ways

Did you give this Savoury Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates Recipe a try? Let me know by leaving a comment and recipe rating below!

If you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram or Pinterest – seeing your creations always makes my day. You can also subscribe to my email list to never miss a new recipe or nutrition education post!

overhead photo of wood cutting board with 25 date halves stuffed with goat cheese and topped with walnuts, pistachios, honey, and thyme
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5 from 2 votes

Savoury Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates (Vegetarian)

These savoury goat cheese stuffed dates are topped with pistachios, walnuts, thyme, and honey! They're SUCH a quick, easy, and delicious appetizer recipe to serve at your next get together. Recipe is vegetarian and gluten-free.
Course Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine American, Mediterranean
Diet Gluten Free, Vegetarian
Keyword dates, goat cheese, holiday, pistachios, thyme, walnuts
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 30 pieces
Author Carrie Walder

Ingredients

  • 15 med-large medjool dates
  • 1/2 cup goat cheese
  • 1/4 cup raw walnuts
  • 2 Tbsp raw pistachios
  • 1 tsp honey (to drizzle)
  • 1 Tbsp fresh thyme, stems removed

Instructions

  • Using a pairing knife, slice medjool dates in half lengthwise. Remove the pit and set dates aside.
  • Once all dates are pitted, take a regular knife and smear a small amount of goat cheese into each date half.
  • Then, press either walnuts and/or pistachios into the goat cheese. Use 1-2 nuts per date, depending on size.
  • Serve dates on a plate or tray. Lightly drizzle some honey overtop, and sprinkle them with fresh thyme.

Notes

*Please note that servings of nuts and goat cheese are approximate – it may differ slightly depending on the size of the dates you use!
*This recipe uses 15 dates, cut in half to make 30 pieces. A standard serving is about 2-3 dates per person, so roughly 4-6 pieces per person.
*While the ingredients will be safe to eat if stored in the refrigerator, stuffed dates are best enjoyed fresh and at room temperature.
*If you’d like to make these ahead of time, I would recommend pitting and stuffing the dates with the goat cheese only. Store these in an airtight container in the fridge, then remove and add the nuts, thyme, and honey within an hour of serving.
*Possible recipe variations:
  • If you don’t like goat cheese, try a different kind of cheese. Dates pair well with brie, blue cheese, or ricotta.
  • Instead of honey, you could also try drizzling these dates with a balsamic reduction.
  • Instead of thyme, you can try sprinkling another herb on top, such as rosemary.
  • Feel free to also try these with another type of nut, like almonds or pecans!
Did you make this recipe?Be sure to tag @walderwellness on Instagram. I love seeing your beautiful creations!

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pinterest graphic for savoury goat cheese stuffed dates recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy

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4 Comments
Filed Under: Appetizers, Gluten-Free, Recipes, Snacks & Sweets, Vegetarian
Tagged With: cheese, dates, nuts

Comments

  1. Ashley says

    December 10, 2020 at 10:48 am

    I made this the other night for me and my boyfriend and it was delicious AND super simple to make! I plan on making this as an appetizer for a future party!

    Reply
    • Carrie Walder says

      December 10, 2020 at 5:19 pm

      Hi Ashley!! Thank you so much for sharing this! I’m so happy you and your boyfriend enjoyed these. I hope they make a great appetizer at a future party – and hopefully that can take place sooner than later haha 🙂

      Reply
  2. Erin says

    January 3, 2021 at 3:15 pm

    5 stars
    Wow! These are so good! I wanted an easy afternoon kind of a balanced snack, and these were it. Just made a few.. The walnut crunch + sour goat’s + sweet date is a great combo. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Carrie Walder says

      January 4, 2021 at 1:24 am

      Hi Erin!! Ah so happy to hear you enjoyed these!!! Such a great little snack to have :). Thank you so much for sharing your experience!

      Reply

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About Me

Hi, I’m Carrie Walder, MS, RD! I’m a Registered Dietitian in both Canada and the United States. Here, and on my Instagram (@walderwellness), I share ways to add more whole foods into your everyday life in a simple, realistic, and nutritionally balanced way. Thanks so much for stopping by!

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