Are you ready for the easiest yet fanciest appetizer you’ve ever made? Prosciutto-Basil Wrapped Dates are endlessly impressive, simple, and delicious. Seriously, if you’ve never had the combo, you’re missing out.
I was so excited when Sage Homes, located in SLC, Utah, invited me to host a recipe how-to video, showing off their new model home kitchen. But, due to my schedule that day, I only had a time slot of about 30 minutes. I knew I had to pick something quick and easy.
Yes, they only take 30 minutes, INCLUDING bake time!
The steps for these Prosciutto-Basil Wrapped Dates are Simple…
Stuff, Wrap, Bake. Voila!
While the recipe is simple, there are a few things to keep in mind when making it. Be sure that your goat cheese is room temperature. This makes it easy to work with, and portion correctly. Use a pastry bag if you have one. Goat cheese is incredibly sticky, I find myself wasting it if I use my hands, as it sticks to them and I wash a good portion away.
Buy more prosciutto than you think you’ll need. My recipe doesn’t account for how your local grocery sells prosciutto. Generally speaking, one standard piece is enough for two dates. So, I can’t accurately tell you how many packages you should buy. Pay attention to the slice count in your package, or divide your date count in two, and ask the butcher for that many slices.
You can watch my quick demo, or follow the text recipe below. Either way, you’ll be blown away by these little flavor bombs!
Prosciutto-Basil Wrapped Dates
Equipment
- Pastry Bag (if you have it)
- Cookie Sheet
Ingredients
- 1 package Pitted Medjool Dates Unpitted is fine, it will just take extra time
- 1 package Plain Goat Cheese 4 oz – 6 oz
- 1 package Fresh Basil 1 leaf per date, large leaves can be halved
- Prosciutto 1 slice per 2 dates
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F
Prepare the Dates
- If you're using pitted dates, simply slice one side open and set aside. If your dates have pits, slice one side open and pull the pit out. It only takes an extra few seconds.
Fill the Dates
- Using a pastry bag, pipe room temperature goat cheese into the center of each date, closing the date back together.
- If you don't have a pastry bag, a butter knife will absolutely get the job done!
Wrap the Dates
- Tear each piece of prosciutto in half. Place a basil leaf lengthwise on each filled date, then wrap with the prosciutto, pressing the the meat together at the seam. Prosciutto is a very "adhesive" meat, and it will stick easily.
Bake the Dates
- Place each date on a lightly greased cookie sheet, and bake on the middle rack for 10-12 minutes. You'll know they're done when the prosciutto is darker, and you hear sizzling. Watch carefully, because they can easily burn. It may take less than 10 minutes.
As always, don’t forget to subscribe to get my weekly recipe, and thanks so much for stopping in. I hope you don’t leave hungry!
