Goat cheese stuffed dates with honey wrapped in crispy bacon is the perfect appetizer for any party! Guaranteed to impress your guests.
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Why You Will Love This Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates Recipe
Bacon-wrapped dates have always been a crowd-pleaser and one of my favorite appetizers to serve any time of the year. The natural sweetness of the dates carmelizes when baked combined with the creamy goat cheese, crispy bacon, and drizzle of hot honey makes for the perfect savory-sweet combination. Here are more reasons why you will love this recipe:
- A delicious appetizer that is so easy to make. This easy appetizer can be made in under 40 minutes with little effort.
- Simple ingredients. These juicy dates are stuffed with goat cheese, wrapped in bacon, and drizzled with spicy honey and fresh herbs. That's it, so simple!
- Serve this recipe year-round. You can serve these stuffed dates during the holiday season, at a dinner party, or even display them on a charcuterie board. They are sure to be a crowd-pleasing appetizer.
For more delicious appetizers to serve, check out these blackberry brie tartlets and baked brie with honey.
Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates Ingredients
Ingredient Notes
- Large Medjool Dates: Look for high-quality larger-size, soft, sweet Medjool dates that are fresh.
- Bacon: Thin-cut savory bacon works best, and cooks more quickly.
- Goat Cheese: Creamy goat cheese gives these dates a tangy bite. Not a fan of goat cheese? Other options include Blue Cheese, Manchego Cheese, Cream Cheese, Feta Cheese, or Ricotta Cheese.
- Honey: The sweet honey combined with the salty bacon is perfect.
- 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.
Find the printable recipe with full instructions and measurements below.
How to Make Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare the dates. With a sharp paring knife, split the dates in half lengthwise (but not all the way through) to open each date. Remove the pit and discard
- Stuff pitted dates. 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.
- Wrap the dates in bacon. 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 25 minutes, flipping halfway through. Remove from the oven and transfer the dates to a paper towel.
- Prepare the honey drizzle. 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 over the top. Sprinkle the top of each date with finely minced rosemary. Pour any remaining honey into a small condiment bowl to serve for dipping.
Substitutions and Variations
- Vegan & Vegetarian Options: 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.
- Add Nuts: For a crunchy texture, add a small walnut piece inside the date along with the goat cheese.
- Herb Options: The rosemary pairs so well with the honey, but you would also use fresh thyme leaves.
Tips
- Don't Over-Stuff: Over-stuffing the dates can cause the tangy 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 10-15 seconds to thin it out.
- Choose Fresh Medjool Dates: These large-size sweet dates are so soft and easy to slice. Regular dates, also known as 'Deglet Noor dates, are dry and less chewy dates.
Storage
To store: 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.
A great way to ensure the bacon is crispy is to use thin-cut bacon and bake the dates closer to 25 minutes in time. Remember, each oven is different.
I hope you love this Goat Cheesed Stuffed Dates with Honey recipe as much as I do! If you make it, I’d love to hear how it turned out in the comment box below. Your review will help other readers in the community.
Recipe
Bacon Wrapped Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates With Honey
Ingredients
Stuffed Dates
- 16 large Medjool dates
- 4 ounces creamy goat cheese
- 8 slices thin cut bacon, cut in half
- black pepper, to taste
Spicy Honey
- ⅓ cup honey
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, more or less to taste
- 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, minced, to garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare the dates. With a sharp paring knife, split each date in half lengthwise (but not all the way through) to open. Remove the pit and discard.
- Stuff dates. 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
- Wrap the dates in bacon. 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 25 minutes, flipping halfway through. Remove from the oven and transfer the dates to a paper towel.
- Bake. Place the tray in the oven and bake for 25 minutes, flipping halfway through. Remove from the oven and transfer the dates to a paper towel.
- Prepare the honey drizzle. 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 over the top. Sprinkle the top of the dates with finely minced rosemary. Pour any remaining honey into a small condiment bowl to serve for dipping.
Notes
- Vegan & Vegetarian Options: 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.
- Add Nuts: For a crunchy texture, add a small walnut piece inside the date along with the goat cheese.
- Herb Options: The rosemary pairs so well with the honey, but you would also use fresh thyme.
Tracie Wierda says
OHMYWOW!!! This recipe is perfection! Everyone LOVED these! Will be making them again very soon!