Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Dates with Goat Cheese and a drizzle of spicy honey is the perfect appetizer for any party! Easy to make with simple ingredients and guaranteed to impress your guests.
Sweet dates stuffed with creamy goat cheese, wrapped in a layer of crispy bacon, and finished with a drizzle of spicy honey are one of my favorite appetizers to serve for any gathering. It's the perfect balance of savory-sweet that keeps your guests coming back for more. This easy appetizer can be made in under 40 minutes with little effort. You can serve these stuffed dates during the holiday season as a sweet snack, at dinner parties, or even display them on charcuterie boards. They are sure to be a crowd favorite!
Looking for more delicious appetizers to serve? My classic 2 ingredient bacon-wrapped dates recipe is always a favorite. It's a simple recipe that's perfect for those avoiding dairy. You will also love these blackberry brie tartlets and baked brie with honey.
Ingredients
- Large Medjool Dates: Look for larger size, soft, sweet Medjool dates.
- Bacon: Thin-cut bacon works best, and cooks more quickly.
- Goat Cheese: Creamy goat cheese gives these dates a tangy bite.
- Honey: The sweet flavor of honey combined with the salty bacon elevates the flavor of these stuffed dates.
- Cayenne Pepper: A touch of cayenne adds a bit of hit heat.
- Rosemary: Freshly chopped rosemary pairs so well with the spicy honey, and is both fragrant and decorative.
- Black Pepper: For an extra kick of flavor, sprinkle a bit of black pepper on top of the raw bacon.
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
With a sharp knife, split the dates in half lengthwise (but not all the way through)to open the date. Remove the pit and discard.
Using a small spoon, stuff a small amount of goat cheese into the cavity of each date and press the sides together to close. Avoid overstuffing the dates.
Cut the bacon slices in half. Wrap each date with a slice of bacon and secure it with a toothpick. Arrange the dates evenly on the prepared baking sheet and sprinkle black pepper on top.
Bake for 12 minutes. Remove the dates and use the toothpick to turn each one on its opposite side. Bake for another 10-13 minutes, until the bacon, is crisp. Remove from the oven and transfer the dates to a paper towel.
In a small bowl, whisk together the honey and cayenne pepper until smooth without any lumps. Place the dates on a serving platter and add a drizzle of honey. Pour any remaining honey into a small condiment bowl to serve for dipping.
Sprinkle the top of each date with finely minced rosemary.
Cheese Variations
We love the taste of the creamy tangy goat cheese, but there are many other soft cheese varieties to choose from including:
- Blue Cheese
- Manchego Cheese
- Cream Cheese
- Feta Cheese
- Ricotta Cheese
Stuffed Date Tips
- Vegan/ Vegetarian: Use vegan cream cheese instead of goat cheese, maple syrup instead of honey, and skip the bacon. Baking the dates for this version is optional.
- Nuts: For texture, add a small walnut piece inside the date with the goat cheese.
- Herbs: Not a fan of rosemary? Use fresh thyme instead.
- Choose Soft Dates: You want to look for large-size Medjool dates that are soft and fresh. Regular dates, also known as 'Deglet Noor dates, are dry and less chewy dates.
- Don't over-stuff: Over-stuffing the dates can cause the goat cheese to leak out when baked.
- Heat the honey: If the honey is too thick to whisk in the cayenne pepper, add it to a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 15 seconds to help thin the honey.
Storage
Store any leftover dates in an airtight container, in the refrigerator, for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave for 10-15 seconds, or until warm.
FAQ
The dates can be assembled and refrigerated for up to a day before baking. Pull the dates out of the refrigerator and allow them to come to room temperature while the oven is preheating. Bake as directed.
Absolutely! You can just skip the bacon and no baking will be required. Just drizzle the honey over the dates and goat cheese.
Make sure to use thin-cut bacon, that the temperature is high enough, and bake the dates for closer to 25 minutes in time. Remember, each oven is different.
Recipe
Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Dates with Goat Cheese
Ingredients
Stuffed Dates
- 4 ounces creamy goat cheese
- 16 Medjool dates
- 8 slices thin cut bacon, cut in half
- black pepper sprinkled on top of the bacon
Spicy Honey
- ⅓ cup honey
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, more or less to taste
Garnish
- 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, minced
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- With a small sharp knife, split the dates in half lengthwise (but not all the way through)to open the date. Remove the pit and discard.
- Using a spoon, stuff a small amount of goat cheese into the cavity of each date and press the sides together to close. Avoid overstuffing the dates.
- Cut the bacon slices in half. Wrap each date with a slice of bacon and secure it with a toothpick. Arrange the dates evenly on the lined baking sheet and sprinkle black pepper on top.
- Bake for 12 minutes. Remove the dates and use the toothpick to turn each one on its opposite side. Bake for another 10-13 minutes, until the bacon, is crisp. Remove from the oven and transfer the dates to a paper towel.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the honey and cayenne pepper until smooth without any lumps. Add the dates to a serving platter and drizzle the tops of the dates with the spicy honey. Pour the remaining honey into a small condiment bowl to serve off to the side of the dates.
- Sprinkle the tops of the dates with finely minced rosemary.
Notes
- Vegan/ Vegetarian: Use vegan cream cheese instead of goat cheese, maple syrup instead of honey, and skip the bacon. Baking the dates for this version is optional.
- Choose Soft Dates: You want to look for large-size Medjool dates that are soft and fresh. Regular dates, also known as 'Deglet Noor dates, are dry and less chewy dates.
- Don't over-stuff: Over-stuffing the dates can cause the goat cheese to leak out when baked.
- Heat the honey: If the honey is too thick to whisk in the cayenne pepper, add it to a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 15 seconds to help thin the honey.
Tracie Wierda says
OHMYWOW!!! This recipe is perfection! Everyone LOVED these! Will be making them again very soon!