Easy Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese Recipe: Sweet & Savory

Crispy bacon dancing around sweet dates filled with creamy goat cheese creates an irresistible appetizer that sparks instant excitement.

Soft cheese nestled inside tender fruit delivers complex flavor combinations.

Each bite promises a luxurious blend of salty and sugary notes.

Small cocktail parties or casual gatherings become memorable with this simple yet impressive dish.

Guests will absolutely devour these little flavor bombs in seconds.

Rich ingredients combine effortlessly to produce something magical.

You won’t believe how such basic components can result in such an extraordinary treat.

Prepare to become the star of any social gathering with this crowd-pleasing sensation.

Why Bacon-Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese Are a Hit

• Crowd-Pleasing Appetizer: Delivers an irresistible combination of sweet dates, creamy goat cheese, crispy bacon, and a spicy-sweet glaze that guarantees guests will be asking for the recipe.
• Simple Preparation: Requires minimal cooking skills with straightforward steps anyone can follow, making it perfect for home cooks of all experience levels.
• Versatile Party Starter: Works brilliantly for cocktail parties, game nights, holiday gatherings, or casual get-togethers where guests want something deliciously sophisticated yet easy to eat.
• Flavor Explosion: Combines multiple taste sensations – salty bacon, creamy cheese, sweet dates, and a zesty glaze – creating an addictive bite-sized treat that surprises and delights taste buds.

What Goes Into These Creamy, Crispy Bites

• Dates: Sweet, soft fruits that provide a rich base for this appetizer.
• Bacon: Salty, crispy meat that adds a savory crunch to the dates.
• Goat Cheese: Creamy, tangy cheese that fills the dates with a smooth texture.

• Honey, Red Pepper Flakes, Rosemary, Cayenne: A spicy-sweet combination that adds complex flavor and heat to the bacon-wrapped dates.

• Toothpicks: Essential for securing the bacon around the dates and helping with flipping during baking.
• Parchment Paper: Ensures easy cleanup and prevents sticking during the baking process.

How to Make Bacon Dates with a Goat Cheese Twist

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace

Grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper. Crank up your oven to a toasty 400°F.

Get your cooking tools ready: toothpicks, knife, and small mixing bowl.

Step 2: Stuff the Dates

Open up your dates carefully, removing any pesky pits.

Be gentle to keep the date mostly whole. Stuff each date generously with creamy goat cheese, filling them to the brim.

Step 3: Wrap with Bacon

Cut bacon slices into thirds. Carefully wrap each cheese-filled date with a piece of bacon, making sure it wraps around about 1.5 times. Secure each wrapped date with a toothpick to keep everything together.

Step 4: First Baking Round

Place the bacon-wrapped dates on the prepared baking sheet. Slide them into the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes.

Then flip each date using the toothpicks to ensure even crispiness and bake for another 10 minutes.

Step 5: Create Spicy Glaze

• Honey
• Red pepper flakes
• Fresh rosemary
• Cayenne pepper

Mix these ingredients in a small bowl until well combined.

Step 6: Glaze and Final Bake

Pull the dates out of the oven and generously brush them with about one-third of the prepared glaze. Return to the oven for an additional 3 minutes to caramelize and intensify the flavors.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Remove the dates from the oven. Drizzle the remaining glaze over the top or serve it on the side.

These sweet, spicy, and crispy bites are ready to be devoured! Serve immediately while they’re hot and crisp.

Pro Tips for Creamy, Crispy Bacon Date Magic

• Select dates that are soft and plump for the best texture and easier stuffing.
• Use thick-cut bacon to ensure a crispy, golden exterior without burning.
• Experiment with different cheese options like blue cheese or feta for unique flavor variations.
• Keep toothpicks slightly exposed when wrapping bacon to make flipping easier during baking.
• Adjust honey glaze spiciness by increasing or decreasing red pepper flakes to suit personal heat preferences.

Cool Takes on This Classic Bite

• Spicy Jalapeño Poppers Style: Replace goat cheese with cream cheese, add finely chopped jalapeños inside the dates before wrapping with bacon for a kick of heat.
• Mediterranean Herb Blast: Mix goat cheese with chopped fresh basil, oregano, and thyme before stuffing dates, then wrap with prosciutto instead of bacon for an Italian-inspired version.
• Blue Cheese Bold: Swap goat cheese for crumbled blue cheese, add chopped walnuts inside the dates, and use maple bacon for a rich, complex flavor profile.
• Prune and Almond Fusion: Use pitted prunes instead of dates, stuff with marcona almonds and manchego cheese, then wrap with Spanish-style chorizo for a unique appetizer experience.

Tasty Companions for Bacon-Wrapped Goat Cheese Dates

• Pair with Sparkling Rosé: Crisp and slightly sweet bubbly wine cuts through the rich, salty bacon while complementing the sweet dates and tangy goat cheese.
• Match with Aged Tempranillo: Bold Spanish red wine offers deep fruit notes that beautifully balance the spicy glaze and smoky bacon flavors.
• Serve alongside Marcona Almonds: Crunchy, lightly salted Spanish almonds provide a nutty contrast to the sweet, spicy, and creamy appetizer.
• Create a Cocktail Companion: Craft a smoky mezcal margarita with a chili salt rim to echo the appetizer's spicy-sweet glaze and enhance the overall flavor profile.

Keeping These Bites Delicious Even Later

• Refrigerate: Store bacon-wrapped dates in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
• Freeze: Wrap individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Keep frozen for up to 1 month. Label with date for tracking.
• Reheat Oven: Preheat to 350°F. Arrange dates on a baking sheet, cover with foil to prevent burning. Warm for 8-10 minutes until heated through.
• Reheat Air Fryer: Set temperature to 350°F. Cook for 3-4 minutes, shaking basket halfway through to ensure even heating and crispy bacon.

Goat Cheese Date FAQs You’ll Want to See

• Why use toothpicks when wrapping bacon around dates?

Toothpicks help secure the bacon in place, prevent unwrapping during baking, and make flipping the dates easier without burning your fingers.

• Can I use different types of cheese instead of goat cheese?

Yes, you can substitute goat cheese with cream cheese, blue cheese, or feta for different flavor profiles while maintaining a creamy texture inside the date.

• How do I know the bacon is cooked perfectly?

Look for crispy, golden-brown edges and a fully rendered texture. The bacon should be firm and not floppy when you remove the dates from the oven.

• Is the spice level adjustable in the glaze?

Absolutely! You can reduce or increase red pepper flakes and cayenne to match your personal heat preference, making the recipe adaptable to different spice tolerances.

Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese Recipe

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4.8 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 38 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Savory bacon wrapped dates with goat cheese deliver elegant Mediterranean flavors that dance between sweet and salty. Crisp bacon embraces tender dates while creamy goat cheese provides a luxurious center, creating an irresistible appetizer you’ll crave at every gathering.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 21 pitted dates
• 7 slices bacon (thick-cut)
• 4–6 ounces (113–170 grams) goat cheese

Glaze Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) honey
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon rosemary
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper

Additional Ingredients:

• Toothpicks

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F and prepare a parchment-lined baking sheet for optimal heat distribution and easy cleanup.
2. Carefully split dates lengthwise without fully separating, removing any internal pits to create a pocket for creamy goat cheese filling.
3. Generously stuff each date cavity with soft goat cheese, ensuring a rich and smooth interior.
4. Cut bacon strips into thirds and meticulously wrap each cheese-filled date, securing the bacon with a toothpick to maintain a tight seal.
5. Arrange wrapped dates on the prepared baking sheet, positioning them seam-side down to prevent unraveling during cooking.
6. Roast in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, then carefully flip each date using toothpicks to encourage even browning and crispiness.
7. Continue baking for an additional 10 minutes until bacon reaches a deep golden color and becomes crisp.
8. Meanwhile, craft a zesty glaze by whisking together honey, red pepper flakes, finely chopped rosemary, and a pinch of cayenne for a complex flavor profile.
9. Brush dates with one-third of the prepared glaze, returning them to the oven for a final 3-minute caramelization.
10. Remove from oven, transfer to a serving platter, and drizzle with remaining glaze for an extra burst of sweet and spicy flavor.

Notes

• Select medjool dates for their large size and soft, caramel-like sweetness which pairs perfectly with crispy bacon.
• Use soft goat cheese for a creamy, tangy filling that melts beautifully inside the warm dates.
• Partially cooking bacon before wrapping ensures extra crispiness and prevents undercooked sections.
• For gluten-free version, confirm bacon is certified gluten-free and replace toothpicks with wooden skewers.
• Control spice levels by adjusting red pepper flakes and cayenne to suit individual heat preferences.
• Prep dates ahead of time and refrigerate before baking to streamline party appetizer preparation.
• Try alternative cheese options like blue cheese or cream cheese for different flavor profiles.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 23 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 152
• Sugar: 11 g
• Sodium: 220 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 1.5 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg