Sweet, salty, creamy, and cheesy all in one — these prosciutto wrapped dates tick all the boxes. Made with dates, honey, goats cheese, prosciutto, and thyme, they are seriously so good. The perfect mouthful for a finger food appetiser!
- Made with 5 super simple ingredients.
- Can be prepared ahead of time.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
- Wonderful for parties and gatherings like New Year’s Eve.
- Incredibly easy to make!
This dates appetizer has quickly become one of my favourites. I simply adore the combination of flavours — there’s something so satisfying about the combination of savoury and sweet. Perhaps best of all, they only take about half an hour to make. Delicious, easy, and impressive enough for guests. What more could you ask for?
Pair my dates wrapped in prosciutto with slow roasted tomato bruschetta, ricotta dip, and ham and cheese tarte soleil for a complete appetiser spread.
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Ingredients you’ll need
Detailed quantities and instructions in the recipe card below.
- Goats Cheese: Creamy, tart, and soft, goats cheese is perfect for prosciutto wrapped dates. That said, you can use cream cheese if you love it. You could also try a blue cheese or creamy cheese, like Brie or Camembert.
- Dates: I can’t say enough good things about using Medjool dates — they’re plumper, sweeter, “meatier,” and dried, yet still soft and luscious.
- Prosciutto: Salty and flavourful, this Italian cured ham complements the dates and cheese wonderfully. You can also use jamon or Serrano ham instead, just make sure to slice it very thinly.
- Thyme: Earthy and floral, thyme is the best herb for dates stuffed with goat cheese. Oregano or marjoram are the best substitutes.
- Honey: The final touch. It drizzles best if warm, so heat it a bit before adding to the goats cheese stuffed dates.
- Chili Flakes: Optional, but a pinch of chili flakes on top adds a little hot honey zing. I almost always incorporate it myself — one bite has literally every flavour, perfectly balanced.
How to make prosciutto wrapped dates (step-by-step)
Detailed quantities and instructions in the recipe card below.
- Prepare the filling: Add the goats cheese and thyme to a small bowl and mix to combine (photo 1). Set aside for later.
- Prepare the dates: Cut the dates down the middle, then remove the pits with your hands (photo 2).
- Slice the prosciutto: Use a sharp knife to slice each slice of prosciutto in half lengthwise (photo 3). You can also cut it into thirds if you’d like.
- Stuff the dates: Fill the inside of each date with the goats cheese and thyme filling (photo 4).
- Wrap: Using your hands, wrap each date in prosciutto (photo 5).
- Bake if you’d like: If you want to serve this dates appetizer warm, place the prosciutto wrapped dates on a baking sheet (photo 6) and bake at 200°C for 10-12 minutes.
- Warm the honey: Use your microwave or stovetop to warm the honey, then drizzle it over the dates wrapped in prosciutto. Add the chili flakes if using and enjoy!
Tips and tricks
- Choose high-quality ingredients: Because this simple dates appetizer requires just 5 ingredients, quality matters. Look for fresh and plump Medjool dates and a good-quality prosciutto with a nice balance of saltiness and flavour.
- Be careful when pitting the dates: Be sure to remove the pits from the dates without splitting them completely in half. Use a small knife to make a lengthwise incision on one side of the date, then gently open it to remove the pit. Be careful not to tear the date apart — you want to keep it as intact as possible for prosciutto wrapped dates.
- Serve with small cocktail sticks or toothpicks to avoid sticky fingers.
- Consider adding a drizzle of balsamic reduction on top for an extra layer of flavour. You can use it as a substitute for the honey, or use a combination of both.
Storage
I almost never have leftover prosciutto wrapped dates, but if you do, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Remember, you can also make these ahead of time and serve as is — baking is optional. Or, you can pop them in the oven at the last minute and serve them hot.
FAQs
No, you don’t have to cook the prosciutto. It’s a cured meat, meaning you can simply assemble your goats cheese stuffed dates and serve. That said, prosciutto can be cooked and is even more flavourful if you do.
If you wrap them carefully, your dates appetizer should stay together. If unraveling is a real concern, you can always secure them with toothpicks. If baking, I suggest soaking the picks in water for about 30 minutes to avoid burning.
I love the simple combination of goats cheese and thyme, but you can also add extras like chopped almonds or walnuts for texture and flavour. You may consider using additional herbs, or even a bit of honey for more sweetness.
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Ingredients
- ½ cup soft goats cheese
- 3 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
- 16 medjool dates
- 8 thin slices prosciutto (notes 1)
- 1-2 tablespoons honey
- Pinch of chilli flakes, optional
For best results, always weigh ingredients where a weight is provided
Equipment
- Small bowl
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200C (180C fan forced) / 400F. Line a baking sheet with baking paper.
- In a small bowl, mix the goats cheese and thyme leaves and set aside.
- Cut the dates down the middle and remove the pit.
- Fill the inside of each date with about 1 ½ teaspoons of the herbed goats cheese.
- Slice each of the prosciutto slices in half lengthwise (or thirds if you want it go a little further), then wrap one half around each date.
- Optional baking: Place the dates onto the prepared pan and bake for 10-12 minutes.
- Slightly warm the honey in a saucepan or microwave. Add the chilli flakes if using and drizzle over the hot dates.
- Serve immediately.
- Please take a moment to leave a comment & rating. It's appreciated and so helpful.
Notes
- Prosciutto: Some slices of prosciutto can be sliced into 3 lengths if you want it to go further. In this case you’ll only need 5 slices to make 15 or make 18 wrapped dates using 6 slices. You can also use jamon or serrano ham but make sure it’s sliced very thinly.
- Baking is optional but makes them extra special.
- Nutrition details are approximate only – scroll below the recipe to find the full nutritional information.
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