These bacon wrapped dates are the best combination of sweet and savory! Medjool dates are stuffed with goat cheese, wrapped with bacon and baked in the oven.
Bacon Wrapped Dates are an easy party appetizer
I’m always looking for easy party appetizers and these bacon wrapped dates are a new favorite! I love this recipe because it’s so quick and easy to make with only 3 ingredients. With their creamy filling and savory bacon, these stuffed dates always disappear quickly from our appetizer spread.
The key to making the best bacon wrapped dates is to use thin bacon. You want the bacon to cook relatively quickly, so that it can crisp up before the dates and goat cheese are overcooked. I like to serve these with a sprinkle of flaky salt or a drizzle of honey.
How to Make Bacon Wrapped Dates
Prep the dates: Make a small cut in each date and remove the pit. Use a butter knife or small spoon to fill each date with goat cheese and gently press the date closed. Wrap half a piece of bacon tightly around each stuffed date and secure with a toothpick.
Bake at 400°F for 18-22 minutes, just until the bacon is cooked. Let them cool on a paper towel lined plate for a few minutes before serving to soak up extra bacon grease. Then place them on a serving plate, sprinkle with a little flaky sea salt if desired, and enjoy!
Tips for the Best Bacon Wrapped Dates
- Use thin bacon. Thick bacon takes too long to bake, which leads to overcooked dates.
- Don’t overcook them, or the goat cheese will burn and the dates will become tough and chewy.
- When you wrap the bacon around the dates, make sure the end of each bacon slice can be secured with the toothpick, so it doesn’t hang loose.
Recipe Variations
- Cheese: Use blue cheese instead of goat cheese for a bolder flavor.
- Add a drizzle of honey, hot honey or Balsamic Glaze right before serving.
- Fresh Herbs: Mix finely chopped fresh rosemary or thyme into the goat cheese.
- Add nuts: Mix toasted pecans, walnuts or pistachios into the goat cheese for crunch.
More Easy Appetizers
Here are a few more appetizer recipes I think you’ll love:
- Deviled Eggs: A classic that’s always the hit of the party!
- Sweet and Sour Meatballs: These baked turkey meatballs are served with a 3-ingredient sweet and sour sauce.
- Stuffed Mushrooms: With a creamy, cheesy, herby filling and crispy topping.
- White Bean Dip: I love to serve this with fresh cut vegetables and pita chips.
Did you make this recipe? I’d truly appreciate if you leave a comment and star rating below! Your review will help others who want to try this recipe. Thank you! 💛
Bacon Wrapped Dates
Ingredients
- 20 Medjool dates
- 3 ounces goat cheese
- 10 slices bacon, thin bacon works best
- flaky sea salt, optional, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Make a small cut in each date (be careful not to fully slice it in half) and remove the pit. Use a butter knife or small spoon to fill each date with goat cheese (just enough to fill it without it being overly stuffed) and gently press the date closed.20 Medjool dates, 3 ounces goat cheese
- Cut each piece of bacon in half, so that you have two shorter pieces. Wrap half a piece of bacon tightly around each stuffed date and secure with a toothpick. Place on the parchment-lined baking sheet.10 slices bacon
- Bake the bacon wrapped dates for 18-22 minutes, just until bacon is cooked. Transfer them to a paper towel lined plate to cool for 5 minutes. Then place them on a serving plate, sprinkle with a little flaky sea salt if desired, and enjoy!
Notes
- Cheese: Use blue cheese instead of goat cheese for a bolder flavor.
- Add a drizzle of honey, hot honey or Balsamic Glaze right before serving.
- Fresh Herbs: Mix finely chopped fresh rosemary or thyme into the goat cheese.
- Add nuts: Mix toasted pecans, walnuts or pistachios into the goat cheese for crunch.
