Bacon Wrapped Dates

These goat cheese dates are a crowd favorite. The sweet and salty mixture makes this easy appetizer making you go back for more. Medjool dates and pitted and then filled with goat cheese. Wrapping the dates takes them to the next level.

We love to wrap many things in bacon because of the savory flavor. Try these other recipes – Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers, Crock Pot Bacon Wrapped Smokies, Bacon Wrapped Pickles, and Bacon Wrapped Shrimp.

Why This Recipe Works

The smoky bacon is cooked crispy in the oven which makes this appetizer even better. The bacon allows the dates to cook tender leaving them full of flavor and moist.

Impress your guest at your next game day party or for the holidays and make these goat cheese stuffed dates. They take just about 20 minutes to prepare and heat in the oven and your guest be wanting more.

Ingredients

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.

Recipe Variations

• Prosciutto – You can easily wrap the dates in prosciutto instead of bacon. This is delicious variation.
• Turkey Bacon – Turkey Bacon is an easy swap if you prefer a lower fat content than regular piece of bacon.
• Change the Cheese – You can easily use cream cheese or flavored creamy cheese spread to stuff the dates.
• Bacon – There are different types of bacon you can use. We like to use a thicker cut of bacon as it holds up well in the oven.
• Glaze – Add a glaze after baking the goat cheese dates. You can drizzle with honey, maple syrup or you have a side for dipping.
• Toppings – Before wrapping the slice of bacon, add a whole almond, pecans or some kosher flavor to add even more delicious flavor.
• Spices – For a kick of spice sprinkle red pepper flakes onto the goat cheese.

How to Make Bacon Wrapped Dates

• Step 1 – Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.  

Step 2 – Cut each bacon in half and cut each of the dates in half lengthwise. 

Step 3 – Remove the pits in the dates and use a small spoon to put goat cheese in the slit of each of the dates.  Then press the date pieces back together. 

Step 4 – Wrap each of the dates with a slice of the bacon and secure it to the date with a toothpick. 

Step 5 – Step 5 – Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and place the bacon wrapped dates on the baking sheet pan. 

• Step 6 – Bake for 8-10 minutes until browned.  Then flip each of the dates and bake for 8-10 more minutes until the opposite sides are browned. 
• Step 7 – Remove the dates from the oven and let the dates sit for 5 minutes.
• Step 7 – Top the dates with the fresh chopped parsley and then they are ready to serve and enjoy!  

Recipe Tips

• Baking Dates – Make sure to Preheat oven to 425 degrees. This allows for the bacon to get crispy and the dates tender.
• Serve Warm or Room Temperature – Allow to cool slightly before serving. We think these taste great at room temperature.
• Pit the Dates – Before baking, if you bought sweet dates that have a pit, make sure to remove it. Use a knife to cut the pits out.
• Seam Side – Wrap the bacon around the bacon making sure to close with a toothpick on the seem side. This ensure that the pit doesn’t open.
• Cheese – Instead of goat cheese, you can also stuff with cream cheese or blue cheese. Both are a delicious combination with the dates.
• Bacon – You may need to cut the bacon in thirds so that you don’t a lot of extra bacon after wrapping the dates.
• Crispier Bacon – If you prefer you bacon to be extra crispy, you can bake a little longer or for the last minute broil the dates.
• Wrapping the Dates – When wrapping the dates with the bacon, make sure you only wrap them around once. Otherwise, the bacon will not cook or get crispy.

How Do You Pit Dates

There are two different types of dates that you can get at the store. For making these bacon wrapped dates we recommend the Medjool Dates. They are larger in size and have a hint of sweetness to them.

They also hold up when you are baking them with the goat cheese. These types of dates are usually found in your produce section at the store.

• Pitted Dates – If your dates are already pitted, great. Just cut them and add your goat cheese filling.
• Pit Dates – If your dates do have a pit, use a knife to cut the dates and remove the pit. Then stuff the dates with your goat cheese to prepare for baking in the oven.