Blue Cheese Stuffed Dates Appetizer
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These Blue Cheese Stuffed Dates are a sweet, salty, savory appetizer made with soft Medjool dates, crumbled blue cheese, thinly sliced pancetta, and an optional drizzle of honey or hot honey. They're quick to assemble, broiled until warm and crisp, and ready in about 10 minutes.
For a no-cook appetizer, try our quick and easy caprese skewers with salami.
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Recipe Overview
- Prep: 5 minutes
- Cook: 4 to 6 minutes
- Total: 10 minutes
- Ingredients: 3 to 4
- Best served: Warm
- Flavor: Sweet, salty, savory, tangy
Perfect for Kentucky Derby parties, holiday gatherings, or any time you need an easy appetizer that feels special with very little effort.
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Ingredients
- Medjool dates: Look for soft, plump Medjool dates. If they are not already pitted, slice them lengthwise and remove the pit before filling.
- Crumbled blue cheese: Sharp blue cheese, Gorgonzola, or Roquefort are all delicious with dates. For a milder variation, feta or goat cheese also works beautifully.
- Pancetta: Thinly sliced pancetta wraps around the stuffed dates and crisps quickly under the broiler. You can also use thin bacon, though it may need a little longer to cook.
- Honey: Optional, but a light drizzle of honey or hot honey adds a beautiful sweet finish and makes these stuffed dates especially party-worthy.
How to Make Stuffed Dates
- Step 1: Preheat the broiler and line a small baking sheet with foil. Slice each Medjool date lengthwise, being careful not to cut all the way through. Remove the pit if needed.
- Step 2: Fill each date with a small spoonful of crumbled blue cheese.
- Step 3: Wrap each stuffed date with a thin piece of pancetta and place seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Broil for 4 to 6 minutes, or until the pancetta is crisp and the dates are warm. Watch carefully, as broilers vary.
Serving: Drizzle lightly with honey or hot honey, if desired, and serve warm or at room temperature. See our appetizer recipe collection for more ideas.
Tips for the Best Stuffed Dates
- Use soft Medjool dates. They are naturally sweet, tender, and large enough to hold the cheese filling.
- Don't overfill the dates. A small spoonful of cheese is enough, especially with a bold cheese like blue cheese.
- Watch closely while broiling. Pancetta crisps quickly, and the dates can go from golden to too dark in a minute or two.
- Serve warm. While you can serve these party appetizers at room temperature, they are best shortly after broiling, while the cheese is soft and the pancetta is crisp.
Variations
- Goat cheese stuffed dates: Use softened goat cheese in place of blue cheese for a classic version.
- Feta stuffed dates: Crumbled feta is a little brighter and milder but still delicious with honey.
- Hot honey stuffed dates: Finish the warm dates with a drizzle of hot honey for a sweet-spicy bite.
- Nutty stuffed dates: Add a small pecan or walnut half with the cheese before wrapping.
Can You Make Stuffed Dates Ahead?
Yes. You can slice, stuff, and wrap the dates a few hours ahead of time. Arrange them on a baking sheet or plate, cover, and refrigerate until ready to broil.
For the best texture, broil them just before serving so the pancetta is crisp, and the dates are warm.
What to Serve with Blue Cheese Stuffed Dates
Serve them as part of an appetizer spread with cheese, crackers, fruit, nuts, and sparkling drinks. They're especially lovely for a Kentucky Derby party, holiday appetizer table, or an easy gathering with friends.
Recipe FAQ
Medjool dates are best because they are soft, naturally sweet, and large enough to fill with cheese. Look for plump dates that are easy to slice open.
Yes. Goat cheese is a classic filling for stuffed dates and makes a milder, creamy variation. Feta is also delicious.
Yes, but use thin-cut bacon and expect it to take a little longer to crisp than pancetta. Watch carefully under the broiler.
They can be served either way, but this pancetta-wrapped version is best served warm, just after broiling.
No, the honey is optional. The dates are naturally sweet, but a light drizzle of honey or hot honey adds a beautiful finish.
Blue Cheese Stuffed Dates
Equipment
- Toothpicks or skewers
Ingredients
- 12 dried dates like Medjool dates
- 3 ounces crumbled blue cheese like Gorgonzola or Roquefort (feta or goat cheese are also delicious variations)
- 4-6 slices pancetta cut into ½ -inch strips
- honey for drizzling
Instructions
- Preheat the broiler to high and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Using a pairing knife, cut a lenthwise slip in the center of the date. Remove the pit and discard.
- Use ½ teaspoon blue cheese, form into a ball and stuff into the center of the prepared date. Wrap each stuffed date with a strip of pancetta and secure with a toothpick. Repeat with remaining date.
- Place stuffed dates on the prepared baking sheet and broil until the cheese begins to melt and the pancessta is browned and crispy; about 4-6 minutes. Remove from the oven and, if desired, drizzle honey over the dates for a sweet finish. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
More Party Appetizers
Looking for other quick appetizer recipes like this? Try these:
- Easy Mini Quiche Recipe in Muffin Tins
- Deliciously Easy Asparagus and Cheese Mini Tarts
- Easy Salami Caprese Skewers
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