Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese Easy Appetizer Recipe
These bacon wrapped dates are stuffed with creamy goat cheese and finished with a honey drizzle for the perfect sweet, salty, and tangy bite. Quick to make and always a crowd-pleaser, they’re ideal for parties, holidays, or a special snack.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 16 pieces (about 6-8 servings) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 Medjool dates, pitted
- 4 oz (113g) soft goat cheese (chevre)
- 8 slices regular-cut bacon, cut in half
- 2 tbsp honey
- Fresh thyme or rosemary, finely chopped (optional)
- Cracked black pepper (optional)
- Toothpicks (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
- Slice each date lengthwise to remove the pit, keeping the date as intact as possible.
- Stuff each date with about 1 teaspoon of goat cheese. Sprinkle with fresh thyme or cracked black pepper if desired.
- Wrap each stuffed date with a half-slice of bacon, overlapping the ends underneath. Secure with a toothpick or place seam-side down.
- Arrange wrapped dates on the prepared baking sheet (or on a wire rack set over the sheet).
- Bake for 18–22 minutes, flipping halfway through, until bacon is golden and crisp. Broil for 1–2 minutes at the end if needed for extra crispiness.
- Transfer to a serving platter and drizzle generously with honey. Sprinkle with more fresh herbs or flaky salt if desired.
- Let cool for 3–5 minutes before serving. Serve warm.
Notes
Do not overstuff the dates to prevent cheese from oozing out. Use regular or thin-cut bacon for best crispiness. Flip dates halfway through baking for even cooking. You can prep dates ahead and bake just before serving. For a vegetarian version, use roasted red pepper or zucchini strips instead of bacon. For nutty crunch, add an almond or pecan inside each date.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 180
- Fat: 5
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 7
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 4
Keywords: bacon wrapped dates, goat cheese appetizer, easy appetizer, party food, holiday appetizer, finger food, honey drizzle, gluten-free