Easy Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates with Pecans & Honey Recipe
Delightfully sweet and savory, these Easy Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates with Pecans & Honey combine the natural caramel-like flavor of Medjool dates with creamy goat cheese and crunchy pecans, roasted to perfection and optionally drizzled with honey for an elegant appetizer or snack.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Total Time: 25-30 minutes
- Yield: 20 stuffed dates (approximately 10 servings, 2 dates per serving)
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Dates & Cheese
- 20 Medjool Dates
- 4 oz goat cheese, softened to room temperature
Nuts & Toppings
- ¼ cup chopped pecans
- Honey, for drizzling (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375℉ (190°C) to prepare for roasting the stuffed dates.
- Prepare Dates: Slice each Medjool date lengthwise in the middle with a sharp knife, removing pits carefully to create a cavity for stuffing.
- Stuff Dates: Using a small spoon, fill the cavity of each date with softened goat cheese, ensuring an even amount inside each one for balanced flavor.
- Add Pecans: Roll the goat cheese-topped side of each date in chopped pecans to coat, or alternatively arrange the stuffed dates on a baking dish and gently press pecans onto the cheese on top.
- Arrange and Roast: Place the pecan-coated, stuffed dates evenly in a pie pan or baking dish and roast in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, closely watching around the 15-minute mark to avoid burning the pecans while allowing the cheese to melt thoroughly.
- Serve with Honey: Optionally drizzle honey over the warm, roasted dates before serving to add a touch of extra sweetness and gloss.
Notes
- Letting the goat cheese come to room temperature before stuffing makes it easier to work with and ensures creaminess.
- Medjool dates are preferred for their large size and natural sweetness, but other soft dates can be used if needed.
- Keep a close watch during roasting to prevent pecans from burning while achieving a gooey cheese texture.
- Honey drizzle is optional but adds a lovely finish that complements the tanginess of goat cheese and nutty pecans.
