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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and prepare a parchment-lined baking sheet for optimal heat distribution and easy cleanup.
- Carefully split dates lengthwise without fully separating, removing any internal pits to create a pocket for creamy goat cheese filling.
- Generously stuff each date cavity with soft goat cheese, ensuring a rich and smooth interior.
- Cut bacon strips into thirds and meticulously wrap each cheese-filled date, securing the bacon with a toothpick to maintain a tight seal.
- Arrange wrapped dates on the prepared baking sheet, positioning them seam-side down to prevent unraveling during cooking.
- Roast in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, then carefully flip each date using toothpicks to encourage even browning and crispiness.
- Continue baking for an additional 10 minutes until bacon reaches a deep golden color and becomes crisp.
- 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.
- Brush dates with one-third of the prepared glaze, returning them to the oven for a final 3-minute caramelization.
- 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