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(113)
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
113 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.

Karen

Yummy! I used goat cheese as that's a little more palatable than blue cheese (depends on your crowd) and a hit. Drizzled with honey and people kept going back for more.

Peter W.

I have done a variation on this, using brie cheese and chopped mixed nuts. What a great combo! The dates are so sweet that the honey isn't strictly necessary, but it doesn't hurt, either.

Marsha

Stellar. These have been the hit of every event I’ve taken them to this season. And they’re so easy to make. Double win

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