Bacon Wrapped Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates With Honey

Crispy Bacon Wrapped Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates with honey are the perfect appetizer for any party! Guaranteed to impress your guests.

Jump to:

• Why You Will Love This Bacon Wrapped Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates Recipe
• Bacon Wrapped Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates Ingredients
• Ingredient Notes
• How to Make Bacon Wrapped Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates
• Substitutions & Variations
• Expert Tips
• Storage
• FAQ
• More Appetizers You'll Love
• Recipe
• Reviews

Why You Will Love This Bacon Wrapped 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, along with caviar creme fraiche potato chips, honey baked brie, lobster cakes, and spinach artichoke dip with no mayo. 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 goat cheese stuffed dates recipe:

• A favorite appetizer that is so easy to make. This easy appetizer can be made in under 40 minutes with little effort, one of our favorite snacks!
• A guaranteed hit, made with simple ingredients. These juicy dates are stuffed with a little goat cheese, wrapped in a half slice of bacon, and drizzled with spicy honey and fresh herbs. That's it, so simple!
• You can serve this stuffed date recipe year-round. You can serve these stuffed dates during the holiday season for New Year's Eve or at a Christmas party. I even like to add them to charcuterie boards because they are always a crowd favorite. They are sure to be a crowd-pleasing appetizer.

Bacon Wrapped 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 strips work best, and cook more quickly.
• Goat Cheese: The creamy soft cheese give 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 card with full instructions and measurements below.

How to Make Bacon Wrapped Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates

• Step 1: Prepare the dates. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 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
• Step 2: 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.
• Step 3: 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.
• Step 4: 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 & Variations

• Vegan & Vegetarian Options: For vegan or 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: Give this tasty appetizer a crunchy texture by adding a small walnut piece inside the dates with the goat cheese.
• Herb Options: The rosemary pairs so well with the honey, but you would also use fresh thyme leaves.

Expert 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

More Appetizers You'll Love

I hope you love this bacon wrapped goat cheese stuffed dates 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.

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