Sesame–Date Cheese Bites with Spiced Walnut & Herb Honey
Savory-sweet and luxuriously textured, these warm cheese bites are coated in toasted sesame, filled with soft dates, and served with a drizzle of spiced walnut–herb honey. A festive, flavor-layered appetizer with elegant contrast.
Servings 6 Makes ~14–16 small bites Serves 6–8 as an appetizer
Calories 160kcal
Ingredients
- Cheese Bites
- 6 oz goat cheese chèvre or labneh
- 4 oz cream cheese or ricotta
- 4 soft Medjool dates finely chopped
- ½ tsp lemon zest
- ½ tsp fresh thyme or rosemary minced
- Pinch salt
- ½ cup toasted sesame seeds white or black, or both
- Spiced Walnut–Herb Honey Drizzle
- 2 tbsp crushed walnuts
- 3 tbsp honey maple-flavored allulose, or Swerve syrup
- 1 sprig rosemary or ½ tsp dried thyme
- Pinch Aleppo pepper sumac, or black pepper
- Optional: ½ tsp apple cider vinegar or lemon juice for balance
Instructions
- Step 1: Make the Cheese Mixture
- In a mixing bowl, blend goat cheese and cream cheese until smooth.
- Stir in chopped dates, lemon zest, thyme, and a pinch of salt.
- Scoop into 1-tbsp balls (use #60 scoop), roll smooth, and refrigerate 10 minutes to firm up.
- Step 2: Coat with Sesame
- Roll chilled cheese balls in toasted sesame seeds until fully coated.
- Optionally, place them on a parchment-lined tray and bake at 375°F for 6–8 minutes to warm and toast the outside further — or serve chilled.
- Step 3: Prepare Spiced Honey Drizzle
- Warm honey or syrup gently with walnuts, rosemary, and spices.
- Simmer just until fragrant (2–3 minutes), then remove herbs and keep warm.
- Add a touch of acid (vinegar or lemon juice) if using, to brighten.
- Step 4: Serve
- Arrange cheese bites on a platter or wooden board.
- Spoon warm walnut honey drizzle over the top or serve alongside.
- Garnish with extra herbs, cracked black pepper, or microgreens.
Notes
Nutrition (per 2 bites with drizzle)
- Calories: 160
- Fat: 12 g
-
Carbs: 5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Net Carbs: 4 g
- Protein: 5 g
Low-carb adaptation: Use monkfruit- or allulose-based syrup, and limit dates to 2–3 total.
🛡️ Consumer Safety Note
⚠️ Contains dairy, nuts, sesame, and honey (not suitable for infants). Use only culinary-grade sweeteners. Refrigerate any leftovers and consume within 3 days.