Blue Cheese-Stuffed Dates

By Ali Slagle

Updated December 4, 2025

  • Kerri Brewer for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Cyd Raftus McDowell.
Media 1 of 1
Ready In
15 min
Rating
5(154)
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

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
154 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.

jm in Greenville, SC

The Medjools I bought were quite large. and we found that halving them and using less cheese to fill made it easier and neater to eat as an hors d'oeuvre. The candied pecans I bought were not a pretty topper and added too much extra sweetness. Next time I'll make my own very lightly sweetened candied pecans or just use a roasted pecan! However, I'm happy to have discovered this recipe and all the good suggestions. Thanks everyone!

Emily S

Wow! This is a delicious dish! A nice dessert that is easy to assemble. 10/10!!!

Monique Gendre

I was worried about the spiced nuts being too sweet so I used plain, which I regretted. The flavour was still great and people gobbled them up, but I think the spiced nuts would have added an extra kick.

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