You don’t need to stuff a Medjool date in order to fall in love with it. But stuffing it can be oh, so satisfying!
Medjool dates are larger than regular dates, and they have a rich caramel-like flavor. They are soft and chewy and are rich in nutrients and anti-oxidents.
They are perfect for stuffing. Once you take out the pit, there is a huge gap that begs to be stuffed with something good!
How To Stuff A Date
- Carefully make an incision on one side.
- Pop out the pit.
- Open the date like a baked potato.
- Fill it with whatever you choose!
- Add toppings
- Sprinkle with salt.
- Top with optional sweetener (add a tiny drizzle of honey on a few).
- Drizzle with chocolate.
Suggestions For Stuffing
This site has several fun suggestions.
- Rainbow Tiramisu Date: Roll the date in Turkish coffee and cocoa powder, fill it with honey-sweetened mascarpone, and top it with some rainbow sprinkles.
- Chocolate-Covered Pretzel Date: Stuff the date with a pretzel nugget and dip the bottom and sides in chocolate. (vegan)
- Nana’s Date: Stuff the date with a walnut piece and unsweetened coconut flakes, or roll it in sweetened coconut flakes. (vegan)
- Baklava Date: Stuff the date with a walnut piece and pack a small pinch of cardamom, finely chopped pistachios, and (optional) edible dried rose petals into the rest of the space. (vegan)
- Herby Cheesy Date: Stuff the date with a chunk of fontina (or another firm cheese) wrapped in basil, or sprinkled with another herb.
- Salted Chocolate Peanut Butter Date: Stuff the date with smooth peanut butter, top with an almond and some crunchy sea salt, and dip the bottom in chocolate. (vegan)
- Dinner Date: Stuff the date with a slice of brie and a pecan.
- Retro 1995 Date: Stuff the date with goat cheese and some sun-dried tomato pieces, and top with basil chiffonade.
Suggestions For Vegan Diets
From this site comes several suggestions, just to keep it fun and vegan.
Various Fillings
- Almond Butter or any other nut butter or seed butter such as Peanut Butter, Sunflower Seed Butter, Tahini, Cashew Butter
- Creamy Coconut Manna (Butter)
- Dairy-Free Cream Cheese
Various Toppings
- Shredded Coconut
- Crushed Pistachios
- Chopped Pecans or chopped walnuts
- Finely Chopped Peanuts
- Whole Almond
- Crushed Freeze-Dried Raspberries
- Crushed Freeze-Dried Strawberries
- Fresh Blueberries
- Pomegranate seeds
- Chopped Chocolate
- Mini Chocolate Chips
Garnish
- Sea Salt or Coarse Flaky Salt
Drizzle
- Coconut nectar or honey or thick liquid sweetener
- Melted chocolate
Bacon Wrapped Dates With Goat Cheese
From this site comes a recipe for a simple 3-ingredient appetizer.
Ingredients
- 8 slices bacon (thin works better)
- 16 dates
- 4 ounces goat cheese
- toothpicks
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Slice the dates lengthwise on one side to create an opening. Remove the pit.
- Using a spoon, stuff a small amount of goat cheese into the cavity of each date and press the sides together to close.
- Cut the bacon slices in half. Wrap each date with a slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick.
- Arrange evenly on a baking sheet with raised edges (otherwise grease will get everywhere) and bake for 10 minutes. Remove the dates and use the toothpick to turn each one so it’s laying on its side. Bake for another 5-8 minutes, until browned to your liking, and turn the dates to the other side and repeat. Remove from the oven, place on a paper towel lined plate, and let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
Suggestions
- Take these to the next level by putting a little honey bourbon glaze on top. Just mix about 1/4 cup of honey with 1 tablespoon of bourbon and brush the mixture on the dates when they come right out of the oven.
- For crispier, browned bacon, set the oven temperature at 375. For crispier bacon, bake longer. If the bacon is wrapping more than twice around the date, trim your bacon slices so they’re a little shorter. If the bacon layer is too thick, it won’t cook. Keep leftovers in the fridge.
Closing Suggestions
Make Ahead And Store
- Stuffed dates can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- To make ahead, simply cut your dates open and remove the pits. Add any nut butters or mix up your dairy-free cream cheese and fill each date.
- Add the toppings right before serving.
Freeze Stuffed Dates
- Place the dates on a single layer on a baking sheet and store in the freezer. Transfer to an airtight container with the lid for up to 3 months.
Thawing And Reheating
- Transfer the dates from the freezer to the fridge 24 hours before you wish to serve. Sprinkle with toppings of choice.
Serving Suggestions
- Lunchboxes or snack-plates
- Cheeseboards
- Game day or holiday parties as an appetizer