Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates Wrapped In Bacon
These Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates wrapped in bacon are the perfect combination of savory bacon and sweet dates. They are the perfect appetizer for the holiday season, a dinner party, or even football season.
Alright, snack lovers, buckle up because I’m about to introduce you to the ultimate appetizer that’s as fancy as it is delicious: Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates wrapped in bacon.
Oh yes, we’re taking juicy, sweet Medjool dates, stuffing them with creamy, tangy goat cheese, wrapping them in crispy bacon, and finishing them off with a drizzle of maple syrup or honey. I mean, can you even handle the flavor explosion?
This recipe is basically the perfect mashup of sweet, savory, creamy, and crunchy in one bite-sized package. It’s like a little party happening in your mouth.
This is honestly one of my favorite appetizers for many reasons. Firstly, it’s made of very simple ingredients and takes little to no prep time or cook time.
Secondly, you can make easy swaps to make it a bit more healthy, such as swapping a bacon strip with turkey bacon. However, a regular piece of bacon is always highly recommended as we all love a good old salty appetizer.
Whether you’re hosting a New Year’s Eve party, Super Bowl party, impressing your in-laws, or just treating yourself (because you deserve it), these bacon-wrapped beauties are about to become your new go-to snack.
They’re quick, easy, and make you look like a total culinary genius with minimal effort around any time of year. Let’s get rolling!
If you love delicious appetizers you may also want to try my Easy Low Carb Spinach Dip Recipe and my Easy Baked Brie Recipe With Apricot Jam.
Table of Contents
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THESE GOAT CHEESE STUFFED DATES WRAPPED IN BACON
- Sweet & Savory Dream: The combination of sweet dates, salty bacon, and creamy goat cheese is the ultimate flavor trio. It’s the perfect bite—every. single. time.
- Fancy but Easy: This delicious appetizer may look gourmet, but it’s surprisingly simple to make. Minimal ingredients, maximum flavor. You’ll be whipping these up faster than you can say “appetizer goals.”
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether you’re hosting some upcoming holiday gatherings, making a fancy appetizer for date night, or just want a fun snack, these bacon-wrapped dates are guaranteed to impress.
- Drizzled Perfection: The finishing touch of maple syrup or honey adds the perfect layer of sweetness to balance the savory bacon. You might just want to drizzle a little extra—no one’s judging!
- Endlessly Customizable: Not a fan of goat cheese? Swap it out for cream cheese or even blue cheese for a different spin. You can also throw in some nuts like almonds or pecans for an extra crunch.
SIMPLE INGREDIENTS FOR THE HOLIDAY PARTY BACON-WRAPPED DATES
You will need the following ingredients listed below to make this dates recipe at your next gathering (the exact measurements, nutritional information and full instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):
- Tender Medjool Dates – these dates work better as they are larger than traditional dates.
- Bacon – regular bacon over smoky bacon in my opinion. As long as it’s salty bacon it will be delicious.
- Creamy Goat Cheese – herbed goat cheese and plain goat cheese both work. You could opt for a different type of creamy cheese such as blue cheese or cream cheese. Even feta cheese could potentially work.
- Optional – maple syrup, drizzle of honey, little hot honey, brown sugar, balsamic glaze, fresh herbs, etc. And you will also need wooden toothpicks to secure everything together.
HOW TO MAKE THESE GOAT CHEESE STUFFED DATES WRAPPED IN BACON
Preheat your oven to 400F and spray a rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray or line with parchment paper.
Make a slit in all your dates with a small paring knife and remove the pit. Using a small spoon, stuff each date with approximately 1 teaspoon of soft cheese.
Shut the date as close as you can and wrap the date in half slice of bacon. Stick a toothpick through the date to secure it.
Drizzle maple syrup or honey over each stuffed date and bake on prepared baking sheet for 15-20 minutes (depending on your oven), turning at the half waypoint. The bacon should be crispy.
Sprinkle with fresh thyme and serve.
STORING LEFTOVER DATES
If there so happens to be some of this tasty appetizer left over (which I highly doubt), you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat them, add them back to a baking tray, cover with aluminum foil and bake in the oven until warm.
TIPS AND TRICKS FOR BEST RESULTS
- Choose the Right Dates
- Use large, fresh Medjool dates for their soft texture and natural sweetness. They’re the perfect size for stuffing and wrapping.
- Pit the Dates Carefully
- Slice the dates lengthwise and gently remove the pit without tearing the date. A small paring knife works best for this.
- Use Softened Goat Cheese
- Allow the goat cheese mixture to come to room temperature before stuffing. This makes it easier to spread and ensures an even, creamy filling.
- Add a Flavor Boost
- Mix herbs like thyme, chives, or a drizzle of honey into the goat cheese for extra flavor.
- Secure with Toothpicks
- Use toothpicks to hold the bacon slices in place during cooking. Soak them in water first to prevent burning if cooking in the oven.
FAQS
SHOULD THE GOAT CHEESE BE AT ROOM TEMPERATURE BEFORE STUFFING DATES?
Yes! Make sure the goat cheese is at room temperature before you start stuffing the dates. This will make it easier to spread and stuff inside the dates, giving you a creamy, dreamy filling.
CAN I USE THICK CUT BACON FOR THIS GOAT CHEESE STUFFED DATES RECIPE?
Absolutely! Thick-cut bacon strips work great and adds a little more bite to this easy appetizer. Just keep in mind, it may take a few extra minutes of cooking time to get it perfectly crispy.
CAN I PREPARE THESE BACON-WRAPPED DATES IN ADVANCE?
Yes! You can stuff and wrap the dates ahead of time and store them in the fridge overnight. Just bake them the next day when you’re ready to serve. They’re a great party snack that’s easy to prep in advance.
WHAT ARE SOME TIPS FOR MAKING THIS NEW HOLIDAY APPETIZER?
Some top tips: Make sure your bacon is fully cooked and crispy before removing the dates from the oven, and don’t overstuff the dates with cheese—just a little goat cheese will do the trick. Also, don’t skip the final drizzle of honey or syrup for an extra flavor boost!
WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO ADD A SWEET OR SPICY DRIZZLE TO THESE GOAT CHEESE STUFFED DATES?
For a sweet touch, try a drizzle of hot honey or maple syrup once the dates are out of the oven. It perfectly complements the sweetness of the dates and the salty bacon, making them a guaranteed hit!
Other Tasty Appetizer Recipes You May Like To Try!
- Gluten Free Pizza Bites
- Strawberry Balsamic Whipped Feta
- Red Pepper Jelly Cream Cheese Dip
- Healthy Spinach and Artichoke Dip
- Cowboy Caviar
- Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers
- Air Fryer Bakes Brie With Puff Pastry
- Truffle Hummus
- KFC Style Popcorn Chicken Recipe (Vegan)
- Pepperoni Pizza Dip
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Gnocchi
- Frozen Chicken Wings In The Air Fryer
- Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Red Pepper Jelly Cheese Dip
Bacon Wrapped Dates Stuffed With Goat Cheese
These Bacon Wrapped Dates Stuffed With Tangy Goat Cheese are the perfect combination of savory bacon and sweet dates. They are the perfect appetizer for the holiday season, a dinner party, or even football season.
Ingredients
- 10 medjool dates, pits removed
- 5 strips bacon, each cut in half
- 10-12 tsp goat cheese
- drizzle of maple syrup or honey
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F and spray baking sheet with cooking spray.
- Make a slit in all your dates with a small paring knife and remove the pit. Using a small spoon, stuff each date with approximately 1 teaspoon goat cheese.
- Shut the date as much as you can and wrap in half a piece of bacon strip. Stick a toothpick through it to secure.
- Drizzle maple syrup or honey over the dates and bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping them at the half way point. The bacon should be crispy.
- Sprinkle with fresh herbs and serve.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
10Serving Size:
1 gramsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 255Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 32mgSodium: 358mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 2gSugar: 19gProtein: 13g
The nutrition information provided is calculated based on industry-standard software and should be used as a general guide only. The information may vary depending on ingredient substitutions, cooking techniques, and individual serving sizes. It is the responsibility of the reader to ensure the accuracy and appropriateness of the nutritional information provided. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalized medical or nutritional advice.
About Bailey
I love to bake, cook, exercise, and document all of the above. Nutrition is not low fat. It is not low calorie. It’s not feeling deprived or being hungry all the time. It’s nourishing your body with real, whole foods so that you are consistently satisfied and energized to live your life to the fullest! Read more…
Made these twice during the holidays and they were an absolute hit with both crowds. Super simple to put together, just be prepared for goat cheese everywhere!