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These Bacon-Wrapped Dates are the ultimate sweet-and-savory appetizer – plump Medjool dates stuffed with creamy goat cheese and wrapped in crispy, caramelized bacon. Ready in just 35 minutes, these addictive bites are always the first to disappear at parties and guaranteed to have guests asking for the recipe.

Bacon-Wrapped Dates

Sweet Medjool dates stuffed with creamy goat cheese and wrapped in crispy bacon. This addictive sweet-and-savory appetizer is always the first to disappear at parties.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American, Appetizers

Servings 6 servings

Calories 280 kcal

Equipment

Baking sheet

Wire rack

Aluminum foil

Toothpicks

Tongs

Cutting board

Sharp knife

Mixing bowl

Ingredients

  

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Dates

• 24 Medjool dates pitted
• 4 oz goat cheese softened (or cream cheese)
• 12 slices bacon cut in half crosswise
• 24 toothpicks

Optional Glaze

• 2 tbsp honey optional
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar optional

Garnish

• fresh thyme for garnish, optional
• flaky sea salt for finishing

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on top. This allows bacon to crisp evenly and fat to drip away.
• Using a sharp knife on cutting board, make a lengthwise slit in each date to remove the pit if not already pitted. Be careful not to cut all the way through.
• Fill each date with about 1/2 teaspoon of softened goat cheese, using a small spoon or your fingers. Press the date closed around the filling.
• Cut each bacon slice in half crosswise. Wrap one bacon half around each stuffed date, slightly overlapping the ends. Secure with a toothpick inserted through the bacon and date.
• Arrange wrapped dates on the wire rack, seam-side down, making sure they don’t touch. This ensures even crisping.
• Bake for 18-22 minutes, turning once halfway through using tongs, until bacon is crispy and caramelized. Watch closely near the end to prevent burning.
• Optional glaze: While dates bake, combine honey and balsamic vinegar in a small mixing bowl.
• Remove dates from oven and transfer to a serving platter using tongs. If using glaze, brush lightly over hot dates.
• Sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves and flaky sea salt if desired. Serve warm. Let guests know to remove toothpicks before eating.

Notes

Medjool dates are larger and sweeter than other varieties – they’re worth seeking out for this recipe. Goat cheese is traditional but cream cheese, blue cheese, or manchego also work beautifully. Make sure bacon is wrapped snugly so it stays in place during cooking. These can be assembled a day ahead and refrigerated until ready to bake. Thin-cut bacon works best – thick-cut may not crisp fully before dates burn. The wire rack is key for crispy bacon all around. These are best served warm but are still delicious at room temperature. For a spicy kick, add a small slice of jalapeño inside with the cheese. The sweet-salty-savory combo is incredibly addictive. These always disappear fast at parties!

ALLERGEN INFORMATION: Contains dairy (goat cheese or cream cheese) and pork (bacon). Naturally gluten-free. Always check ingredient labels if you have food allergies.

Nutrition

Serving: 4gCalories: 280kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 8gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 420mgFiber: 3gSugar: 28g

Keyword Appetizers, Bacon, Party Food

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