Blue Cheese-Stuffed Dates

By Ali Slagle

Updated December 4, 2025

Kerri Brewer for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Cyd Raftus McDowell.
Ready In
15 min
Rating
5(135)
Comments
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For an elegant appetizer that’s so easy even a toddler could make it, stuff sharp and tangy blue cheese inside caramelly dates, then press a candied nut on top. Sweet, salty, savory and creamy, these three ingredients deliver everything you crave in a pre-dinner snack. The recipe is adaptable to any size get-together: Scale it up or down, serve right away or assemble it ahead and refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 hours. Let the stuffed dates come to room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes before serving.

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Ingredients

Yield:14 servings

  • 14 Medjool dates

  • 2 ounces semisoft (not crumbly) blue cheese, such as Cambozola

  • 14 store-bought or homemade candied pecans or walnuts

Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (14 servings)

18 grams carbs; 3 milligrams cholesterol; 94 calories; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 1 gram saturated fat; 3 grams fat; 2 grams fiber; 47 milligrams sodium; 2 grams protein; 16 grams sugar

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Cut a slit down the length of each date. Remove the pits. Use a knife to fill the date with blue cheese (about 1 teaspoon per date). Gently press a candied nut into the blue cheese, then press the date gently to adhere. Repeat with the remaining ingredients.

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Ratings

5 out of 5
135 user ratings
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Comments

Mary

I've made a version of these for years and bring them to Christmas parties. I use goat cheese instead of blue cheese and mix the cheese with a touch of honey and cinnamon. They look festive arranged on a round plate.

Jennifer

I make a version that combines the bleu (or goat) cheese with cream cheese and it topped with a toasted walnut. No need for the nut to be candied; the date is plenty sweet.

Debbie

Seems like starting with pitted dates would make this faster.

CathyC

Easy peazy and delicious appetizer! I disagree with others who say the candied pecans make it too sweet. The blue cheese and pecans are a wonderful mix of sweet and tangy goodness!

Kathy

The BEST dates come from Rancho Meladuco in California. Once you’ve tried their dates - there’s no going back.

chrissy

These sound great! I like a simpler variation. Pit the date and open it up, add about a Tablespoon of whipped cream cheese and add 2 walnut halves on top. So quick and so good!

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