Bacon Wrapped Dates

5 from 2

Bacon Wrapped Dates made with sweet, plump dates, creamy herbed cheese, and salty bacon are always a hit and the first appetizer to disappear at get-togethers. They are truly irresistible!

Prep Time20

Cook Time20

Total Time40

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Keyword: bacon wrapped dates, party appetizers

Servings: dates

Ingredients

24 plump Medjool dates , pits removed
6 ounces goat cheese , softened
1 tablespoon finely minced fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried)
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
kosher salt and black pepper , to taste
24 smoked almonds , optional
12 slices regular bacon , cut in half
1/4 cup honey
toothpicks (soaked in water for 15 minutes)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F with the rack in the middle position. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
If the dates are not already pitted, using a pairing knife, slice the dates lengthwise to create a pocket, being very careful not to cut all the way through. Remove the pit and discard. Set dates aside.
In a medium bowl, mix together the goat cheese, thyme, cayenne pepper, and a pinch of salt and pepper to taste, until throughly combined.
Using a small spoon or a piping bag fitted with a plain tip, stuff the dates with about 1 teaspoon of the goat cheese mixture and then press an almond into the cheese. Gently squeeze to seal the dates shut.
Wrap each date with bacon and secure with a toothpick. Place the stuffed date on its side on the baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining dates, spacing them evenly apart.
With a pastry brush, baste the honey all over the wrapped dates (it shouldn't drip - you just want a thin coat.)
Transfer to the oven and bake 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the bacon is browned and crisp on all sides. (Keep an eye on the dates and remove from the oven as soon as the bacon is as crispy as you like, or alternatively allow them to bake longer if you want them even crispier.)
Remove from the oven and transfer to a paper towel lined plate and let sit for 5 minutes so the grease can drain. You can leave the toothpicks in or remove them for a cleaner presentation.
Serve warm or room temperature and enjoy!

Notes

Trim the bacon. Cut each slice of bacon so that it wraps around the dates no more than 1.5 times. If the bacon overlaps too much it will be too thick and won’t cook properly.

Replace the goat cheese with a different cheese. Whipped cream cheese, Gouda, and sharp white cheddar are all delicious. Or even blue cheese, which gives it a more intense flavor.

Omit the nut. We love the textural crunch by adding a whole almond (or pecan), but you can simply leave it out, if preferred.

Leave off the honey. If you're trying to cut back on calories or just don't like honey, you can bake these without it. They're still be delish!

Nutrition