These bacon-wrapped dates make for the perfect dinner party snack.
With only three ingredients; Medjool dates, bacon slices, and goat cheese, these deliciously sweet dates are transformed into a bite that's chewy, sweet, smoky, savory, and crispy all at once.
They’re the favorite appetizers in my household. Once they’re set on the table, they’re gone within seconds; it’s easy to see why.
Prepared in less than 30 minutes, this one bite-sized treat is worthy of any holiday parties you may have around the corner.
Recipe Overview
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Number of Servings: 8 (2 per serving)
Ingredients
- 8 Slices of Thin Bacon (I get my bacon from ButcherBox, which I highly recommend)
- 16 Medjool Dates
- 4 Ounces of Goat Cheese (blue cheese and cream cheese work too)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
- Slice a line lengthwise to cut the open date and remove the pit. This also creates a perfect pocket for the cheese.
- Using a small spoon, stuff a small amount of goat cheese into each date opening. Press the sides of the stuffed date together to close.
- Cut the bacon in half. Wrap each stuffed date with a slice of bacon, securing with a toothpick.
- Place parchment paper on a rimmed baking sheet and bake the stuffed dates in the oven for 10 minutes. Turn the dates and bake for another 5-8 minutes until browned. Turn one more time and bake for 5 more minutes until golden brown.
- Serve immediately (however, they are delicious when you serve at room temperature).
Bacon-Wrapped Dates Recipe Notes
- Goat cheese can be swapped out for cream cheese or blue cheese.
- Adding nuts such as a whole almond or a pecan half is common for some added crunch.
- Once the bacon-wrapped dates have been stuffed, add a splash of maple syrup to make them extra sweet.
- Season the bacon-wrapped dates with black pepper if desired.
- If you prefer to serve your stuffed dates at room temperature, let them rest on a paper towel-lined plate for 5 minutes.
- Make sure your baking sheet is rimmed - if not, grease will get everywhere.
Read More: Pork Belly vs Bacon - What's the Difference?
Nutrition Facts
Per two bacon-wrapped dates:
- Calories: 225
- Total Carbs: 35g
- Protein: 7.4g
- Fat: 7.2g
- Fiber: 2g
- Net Carbs: 29g
Tips for the Best Bacon-Wrapped Dates
- For extra crispy bacon, set the temperature to 375ºF. If you want your bacon even crisper, bake for longer. Keep the remaining dates in the fridge.
- When you make bacon-wrapped dates, wrap the bacon around 1.5 times. If the layer of bacon is too thick, it will not cook well.
- When buying dates, look for large, thumb-sized Medjool dates. Try and choose ones that look plump and soft, not dry and shriveled.
- Choose your cheese depending on your taste. If you want creamy cheese that is mild and sweet, choose cream cheese. If you prefer a cheese that is tarty and earthy, choose goat cheese. Blue cheese can be sharp and salty.
- You can mix various spices into your goat cheese, such as smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, or cajun seasoning. This can turn a great recipe even greater.
Reasons Why Bacon Wrapped Date is So Great
There are a few reasons why bacon-wrapped dates are the superior appetizer cuisine.
First, these bites can be put together ahead of time and cooked once the guests arrive.
They are delicious, both warm and at room temperature, although we recommend you serve them straight out of the oven.
Since these dates are bite-sized, they make the perfect finger foods.
They can be a bit sticky, especially if you use maple syrup, so be sure to use toothpicks or cocktail forks.
Since these dates are stuffed with goat cheese, they are gluten-free.
If someone is vegan or prefers not to eat pork, you can always leave the bacon off and cook the dates separately.
It would be a great idea to sprinkle some sea salt in the end to give them some salt you miss from the bacon.
How to Pit Dates?
To pit dates, you must remove the pit yourself if you haven’t bought pre-pitted dates.
The easiest way to do this is using a paring knife (the small knives used for avocados, peeling vegetables, and other delicate food).
Cut a line down the date lengthwise, about ¼ to ⅛” thick. Once your knife hits the pit, this is your cue to stop cutting. Pull the date open gently and remove the pit [1].
Other Recipes You Might Like:
FAQs
Can Bacon-Wrapped Dates Be Pre-cooked?
Bacon-wrapped dates can be pre-cooked, but they are better served warm out of the oven.
If you don’t plan on serving your dates right away, you can pre-make them and place them in the refrigerator for up to one day.
Keep in mind that cooking time may increase by 5 minutes as they are chilled.
Can You Reheat Bacon-Wrapped Dates?
Yes, you can reheat bacon-wrapped dates. Simply place the dates on a sheet pan and bake at 350ºF for 6-8 minutes.
Keep an eye on your bacon to ensure it doesn’t burn; serve warm and enjoy.
Can You Buy Pre-pitted Dates?
Yes, you can buy pre-pitted dates in almost every supermarket. Even if you can’t find dates without the pit, it is fairly straightforward to remove them yourself.
Bacon-Wrapped Dates Recipe - The Perfect Appetizer
This date recipe is simple, easy, and, most of all, tasty. It combines the date's sweetness, the bacon's saltiness, and the cheese's creaminess to create something both soft and crispy.
Once these flavorful finger bites have been served, it won’t be long until there are empty plates all around.
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