Bacon Wrapped Dates With Goat Cheese
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My bacon wrapped dates with goat cheese is SUCH a simple recipe, yet the results are an instant crowd-pleaser. They’re sweet, salty, and stuffed to the brim with creamy goat cheese!
I’ve somehow earned the title of king of parties in my friend group (I blame my partner)- which is both a blessing and a little bit of pressure. That’s where these bacon wrapped dates come in. I’ve made them at nearly every get-together for years, and they always disappear fast.
Each one hits that perfect sweet-salty balance: tender Medjool dates stuffed with creamy goat cheese, wrapped in smoky bacon, and finished with a drizzle of honey. Over time, I’ve changed up the filling, but this version wins every single time. And yes, there have been many occasions where I bust these out for my partner and me on a random weeknight.
Table of Contents
Recipe highlights
- Easy to make ahead. I like to make them the night before and keep them in the fridge. I’ll pop them in the oven right before guests arrive, and it looks like I was in the kitchen all day!
- Versatile. Swap the cheese, switch up the honey, or ditch the bacon for a vegetarian version.
- Multiple cooking methods. If I’m hosting, I usually need enough dates that I need to use the oven, but if I’m making them for my family, I’ll pop a few in the air fryer.
What readers are saying
★★★★★ – “I made this for New Years Eve and it was so good. I sometimes change the bacon to prosciutto.” – Nelly
Key ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make these stuffed dates, plus my kitchen notes. Measurements are in the recipe card below.
- Medjool dates. These are the only sweet dates I recommend using since they’re sweet and pliable, making them easy to stuff. I also had some luck with Deglet Noor dates, but they were a bit drier and less sweet than Medjools.
- Bacon. Use regular, thin-cut bacon with a higher meat-to-fat ratio. I don’t recommend thick-cut bacon, as it’s not as easy to wrap around the dates and takes longer to get crispy.
- Goat cheese. This is the best cheese for stuffed dates! Its spreadable consistency makes it easy to stuff, while its tangy, slightly salty flavor complements the dates’ caramel-like sweetness.
- Honey. Adds an extra layer of sweetness while creating a caramelized, sticky glaze during baking.
Ways to change things up
Here are some fun ways to add variety to the stuffed dates.
- Swap the cheese. Try blue cheese, feta cheese, brie, or cream cheese.
- Instead of honey, drizzle the dates with balsamic reduction, maple syrup, or hot honey for a little spice.
- Add nuts. For a little crunch, stuff them with crushed pistachio, almond, or pecan.
- Finish with a sprinkle of brown sugar and sea salt for an extra sweet and savory touch.
How to make bacon wrapped dates with goat cheese
Step 1- Prep. Slice the dates with a paring knife and remove the pits.
Step 2- Stuff each date with goat cheese.
Step 3- Wrap. Close the dates as best you can, then wrap each with a half-slice of bacon. Stick them with toothpicks and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
Step 4- Bake. Drizzle each with honey and bake until the bacon is crispy.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Soften the goat cheese mixture. If possible, I like to let it come to room temperature so it’s easier to fit in the dates.
- Par-cook the bacon. If I want the bacon to be EXTRA crispy, I’ll cook it until it’s just starting to brown (but is still pliable).
- Cut the bacon down to size. One problem I noticed was that if the bacon wrapped around the dates more than once, it wouldn’t get crispy in the oven. The bacon should completely cover the date with SOME overlapping.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, this is a great make-ahead snack or appetizer. Once they’re stuffed and wrapped in bacon, place the dates in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 1 day. You can also freeze the uncooked bacon-wrapped dates by flash-freezing them on a baking sheet until they’re solid. Transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before baking.
While I prefer to serve them slightly warm (the goat cheese is soft and the bacon crisps), they actually hold up surprisingly well at room temperature for about two hours.
Yes- I’ve often made it for friends who are vegetarian or don’t like red meat. You can either just keep them as is, or wrap them in marinated red bell peppers.
✅ Nutrition reviewed
Nutrition information has been reviewed by registered dietitian Felicia Newell, MScAHN, RD, CPT.
Bacon Wrapped Dates With Goat Cheese
Video
Ingredients
- 20 Medjool dates
- 10 slices bacon sliced in half
- 3/4 cup goat cheese
- 2 tablespoons honey
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Slice each date down the center, ensuring the knife doesn’t cut it in half. Remove the pits and stuff each one with the goat cheese.
- Close the slits and wrap each one with half a slice of bacon. Stick a toothpick in each one to secure them. Place them on the lined baking sheet.
- Drizzle some honey over each date and bake in the oven for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. These are done when the bacon is crispy.
Notes
- To store: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- To freeze: Transfer the dates to a freezer bag and freeze for 6 months. Let them thaw overnight before reheating.
- To reheat: Lay the dates on a baking sheet and reheat them in a 350°F oven for 5-6 minutes or until warm.
- Make them in the air fryer: Prepare the dates as instructed. Place them in a greased air fryer basket and air fry at 400°F for 10 minutes.
Nutrition
More fun appetizers
- Air fryer potstickers
- Crab rangoon
- Cream cheese stuffed peppers
- Bacon wrapped asparagus
- Air fryer mozzarella sticks
Originally published September 2023
Omg…bacon and dates? I would never think about this kind of combination!!