Prosciutto-Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Blue Cheese

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It’s the perfect bite! These bite-sized appetizers are a nice combination of salty and sweet! They have creamy cheese, a crispy strip of prosciutto, and a crunchy walnut! 
• They’re impressive yet approachable. Proscuitto-wrapped dates are tasty little bites that are delicious enough to stand out on an appetizer table but simple enough that anyone can make them! Plus, they’re ready in 30 minutes!
• This recipe is easily customizable. Although I think my recipe is absolutely out of this world, sometimes you might be in a pinch, and you have bacon on hand, or you have goat cheese instead of blue or gorgonzola cheese. Use my recipe as a guide, and feel free to get creative! 

Ingredients

• Medjool dates – These sweet and chewy fruits provide a natural sweetness and texture contrast to the savory and crunchy elements of the dish. Use fresh, soft Medjool dates for the best flavor and texture. Don’t forget to remove the pits!
• Prosciutto – This thinly sliced Italian cured ham adds a salty, savory flavor and crisps up beautifully in the oven, providing a delicious contrast to the sweet dates. My favorite prosciutto to use is Proscuitto di Parma (it’s the best). You can use any type you like, and it’s readily available in the cold cuts section of your local grocery store. 
• Blue cheese – Known for its bold and tangy flavor, blue cheese adds a creamy and pungent element to the dates, complementing the sweetness of the dates and the saltiness of the prosciutto. Crumble the blue cheese into small pieces for easier stuffing into the dates. 
• Walnuts – These crunchy nuts add texture and a rich, nutty flavor to each bite. 

Substitutions

• Use bacon in place of prosciutto. Bacon would work very well in this recipe if you don’t have prosciutto or are looking for a less expensive option! 
• Use a different cheese. This recipe would be delicious with tangy goat cheese or zesty, crumbly manchego. 
• Top with a balsamic glaze or honey! Want an extra burst of sweetness? A drizzle of balsamic glaze or honey on top of each date would be sooo yummy! 

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°Farenheit (190°Celsius). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.

Take each pitted date and stuff it with a small amount of crumbled blue cheese.

Step 2: Next, take a walnut half and place it on top of the blue cheese inside each date.

Step 3: Carefully wrap each stuffed date with a half slice of prosciutto, ensuring it covers the date completely. You can gently press the prosciutto to secure it in place, or use a toothpick!

Arrange the wrapped dates on the prepared baking sheet, seam side down, to prevent them from unwrapping during baking.

Step 4: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for about 12-15 minutes, or until the prosciutto is crispy and slightly browned.

Once done, remove the dates from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.

Tips and Notes

• Select high-quality ingredients. Since this recipe features a few key ingredients, like prosciutto, blue cheese, and walnuts, opt for high-quality options to elevate the flavor of the dish.
• Soak your toothpicks if you are using them. If you’re having trouble keeping the prosciutto wrapped around the dates during baking, you can use toothpicks to secure them. Soak the toothpicks in water for about 10-15 minutes beforehand to prevent them from burning in the oven.
• Stuff the dates carefully. When stuffing the dates with blue cheese and walnuts, make sure not to overfill them. A little goes a long way, and overstuffed dates can be difficult to wrap with prosciutto and may ooze out during baking.

Serving Suggestions

• Wine pairing – Pair the prosciutto-wrapped dates with a bold red wine like Malbec or a crisp white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc to complement the flavors and enhance the overall dining experience. Or, if you’re feeling fun, Lambrusco is a lightly sparkling red wine from Italy that offers bright acidity and fruity flavors, making it a refreshing and unexpected pairing for the salty prosciutto and creamy blue chees!
• Tapas-style meal – Serve these dates with other small bites like garlic shrimp, pan con tomate, or patatas bravas for a full-on tapas-inspired meal! You could also serve my Pesto Bruschetta or Sausage Crostini. 

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Storage

• Store leftover prosciutto-wrapped dates in an airtight container in the fridge.
• Consume within 2-3 days for best quality.

Reheating

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Place dates on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Bake for 5-8 minutes until heated through.
• Alternatively, microwave on medium for 30-60 seconds.
• Let cool briefly before serving.

Did you try this recipe? I’d love to see it! Tag @seasonedandsalted on Instagram and leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review below!