I love an easy appetizer. Who doesn’t? With the hustle of the holidays, it’s good to have a go to easy appetizer for a last minute get together. This easy Stuffed Date Appetizer with only 4 ingredients will be a favorite for all. It’s sweet and tangy, and ready in 15 minutes.

What’s in ‘Em?

Dates

Dates are used quite often as a sugar replacement in many healthy recipes. These naturally sweetened beauties are perfect for snacking, baking, and making into appetizers.

There are good reasons to eat more dates. According to 8 Proven Health Benefits of Dates, written by Brianna Elliott, RD at Healthline.com:

Dates are high in fiber and antioxidants. Their nutritional benefits may support brain health and prevent disease.

Brianna Elliott, RD Healthline.com

Dates also contain several vitamins and minerals that are beneficial to our health. However, since they are a dried fruit, they are high in calories due to concentrated natural sugars. So sit back, relax, and enjoy in moderation.

Medjool dates are the best of the best. They are “the fruit of Kings”, as they were originally consumed by royalty. Medjool dates have a caramely taste and chewy texture. They are a dessert by themselves.

Almonds

Not only are almonds a healthy snack, but they also add that crunchiness to salads, baked goods, and this appetizer. There are a slew of health benefits when consumed in moderation. According to Health Benefits of Almonds, an article written by Yvette Brazier at Medical News Today, eating almonds can help with:

• Cholesterol: almonds contain Vitamin E, which can “help stop the oxidization process that causes cholesterol to clog the arteries.”
• Breast Cancer: consuming nuts like almonds gives you 2 to 3 times more protection against developing breast cancer.
• Heart Health: almonds “increase the antioxidants in your bloodstream, reducing blood pressure and improving blood flow”.

Crunchy almonds are the perfect pair with these soft and chewy dates.

Goat Cheese

Creamy, tangy, and delicious. Goat cheese is in my top 5 favorite cheeses. I love how it pairs so nicely with sweets like fig jam and dates.

Goat cheese is an excellent source of healthy fat, protein, and contains nutrients like phosphorus, calcium, and copper. According to Health Benefits of Goat Cheese:, at WebMD:

“Copper helps produce red blood cells, which carry oxygen from the lungs to other tissues in the body. It also helps with the absorption of Iron”.

WebMD

If you aren’t a goat cheese fan, there are several other cheeses that go great with dates. Try cream cheese, blue cheese, or mascarpone.

Balsamic Glaze or Honey Drizzle

And for the grand finale: a drizzle of something sweet. This appetizer is delicious with either one of these delectables. My preference is the balsamic. It adds a another level of flavor.

To make a balsamic reduction (glaze) is quite simple. However, let it go a few minutes longer than needed and you’ll have burnt balsamic caramel that will be hard as a rock. (I speak from experience).

Bring good quality vinegar to a gentle boil, reduce to a simmer for 8-10 minutes. It will thicken as it cools, so pull it off the heat just before your desired thickness.

To keep this recipe super easy, grab that honey bear outta your pantry and drizzle it on top of your little appetizer gems. Warning: dates are already pretty sweet, go easy on the honey.

How to Make Stuffed Dates

These are the best, as they require NO cooking. You can have them done in 15 minutes.

1. Cut dates in half long ways. Be careful to cut around seed, if your dates aren’t seeded.
2. With a butter knife, scope a little bit of goat cheese into the little bowl part of the date where the seed once was.
3. Place toasted whole almonds on top.
4. Drizzle with honey or balsamic glaze and a pinch of salt.

Extra Fancy Flair

To gussy this app up even more, add a little orange zest on top or a sprinkling of fresh thyme. Oo-Lala.

If you are interested in more tasty appetizers, please check out the following recipes.

Bite Size Goat Cheese Balls

Prosciutto Wrapped Pears

Fresh & Chunky Artichoke Dip

Shrimp Cocktail with a Twist

Smoked Salmon Pinwheels

Thanks for reading this Stuffed Date Post. I hope you enjoy this appetizer as much as my friends and family do.