Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese
Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese combine sweet Medjool dates stuffed with tangy goat cheese, all wrapped in smoky bacon. Baked until crispy on the outside with a warm, creamy center, they’re an irresistible sweet-savory appetizer perfect for any gathering.
Ingredients
- 24 Medjool dates look for large, plump ones
- 8 oz goat cheese chèvre, softened at room temperature
- 12 slices bacon cut in half crosswise
- 1/4 cup honey for drizzling optional
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves or chopped rosemary optional
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 24 toothpicks soaked in water for 10 minutes (prevents burning)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
- Prepare the dates by making a small lengthwise slit in each one and gently remove the pit. Be careful not to split the date completely in half.
- Stuff each date with about 1 teaspoon of goat cheese, pressing the cheese into the cavity where the pit was. Don’t overfill or the cheese will melt out during baking.
- Wrap each stuffed date with a half slice of bacon, completely encircling it, and secure with a toothpick. The toothpick should go all the way through to hold everything together.
- Arrange the wrapped dates on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one to ensure even cooking and crispy bacon all around.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the bacon is crisp and golden brown. If needed, turn the dates halfway through baking for even cooking.
- Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess bacon fat, then move to your serving platter while still warm.
- Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with herbs if using, and finish with a light dusting of freshly ground pepper for an extra flavor dimension.
Notes
- For extra flavor, try adding a small piece of toasted almond inside each date along with the goat cheese.
- If you prefer less sweet appetizers, consider using Deglet Noor dates instead of Medjool – they’re less sweet but still delicious.
- These can be assembled up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerated, just add 2-3 minutes to the baking time if cooking from cold.
- For a spicy-sweet version, add a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper to the goat cheese or a drizzle of hot honey at the end.
- Thin-cut bacon works better than thick-cut for this recipe, as it crisps up more easily around the dates.