These Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese are a perfect holiday appetizer. This is one of those party foods that will have everyone raving!
Dates wrapped in bacon with a creamy goat cheese center are the perfect appetizer!
Dates and bacon go well together, and when you add in some goat cheese, it’s a match made in heaven. The flavor of the salty bacon strips balances out the sweetness of the dates while adding a creamy richness that only goat cheese can provide. This is
These are perfect for any occasion from date night to watching football on Sundays! Enjoy these tasty bites with your friends and family this holiday season.
Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese are a great appetizer for any party. I like to make them when I know we will be having guests over and they always get rave reviews! You can eat these as is or add a little honey or real maple syrup on top, but either way they’re sure to please.
Just imagine. Crispy bacon. Creamy cheese stuffed date. It’s the tasty appetizer!
Can you Make Bacon Wrapped Dates Ahead of Time?
Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese can be made up to a day ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Prior to serving, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. Bacon should be crispy and the goat cheese should be bubbly.
You can assemble your dates up to 8 hours before you plan to bake them.
Bacon Wrapped Dates Variations
Bacon wrapped dates are a simple appetizer that that can easily be customised to your tastes.
Swap the Bacon – You can use prosciutto or pancetta instead of bacon. Adjust cook time accordingly.
Change up the Cheese – Instead of goat cheese, use cream cheese, feta cheese or even blue cheese.
Go Nuts – Stuff dates with toasted nuts and the cheese. Use either almonds or pecans.
About the Ingredients for Bacon Wrapped Dates
Bacon: I prefer to use regular Bacon slices for this recipe over thick cut because it still holds together well when cooked but you can get it crisp without over cooking the date. I would also avoid sweetened bacon as we really want the bacon to provide some salt to balance the sweetness of the dates.
Dates: The best type of dates to use are Medjool Dates. These are large, soft, and chewy. You could also use Deglet Noor Dates which are also large and chewy, but not as sweet. Any other sweet dates you find should work too, but these two date varieties are most common in North America.
Goat Cheese: I choose to use a soft goat cheese for these Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese. If you’ve never had goat cheese before it’s a little tangy and can have a creamy texture. I personally love it, but if you’re not too keen on the flavor don’t worry. You won’t notice a strong goat cheese taste because it gets mixed with the Bacon and Bacon grease! If you need to substitute, you can use any creamy cheese.
Looking for more tasty Holiday Appetizer Recipes?
Check out some of my favourite delicious recipes for easy appetizers perfect for the holiday season.
Cranberry cocktail meatballs are a holiday party staple and this recipe will never let you down. A classic recipe that never goes out of style.
When it comes to entertaining, having an easy and delicious appetizer in your repetoir like these Bacon Spinach Pinwheels is a must. They are a crowd pleasing appetizer made with ingredients that are easy to find which are sure to make them a go-to recipe.
My Hot Cheese Dip with Emmental is an easy-to-make hot dip. The dijon mustard & white wine lends extra depth to this crowd-pleasing baked dip.
Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese
Yields: 16 Dates | Prep: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 40 minutes
Ingredients:
8 slices of bacon, sliced in half
16 Whole dates
4 ounces goat cheese
toothpicks
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a plate with paper towels and set aside.
Using a sharp knife, (a small paring knife works best,) slice the dates open lengthwise to remove the pit and also create a pocket. You want just a small slit running the length of each date as shown above.
Stuff a little goat cheese into the middle of the date.
Wrap each date with a half slice of bacon, securing with a toothpick through the top.
Place each bacon wrapped date on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven, and place dates on their side before baking for for another 6-7 minutes. Continue this process until all sides are browned and crisped to your liking. It is important to turn your dates occasionally as they cook so that the bacon will crisp up on all sides.
Once baking is completed, place dates on the prepared plate and allow some of the excess grease to absorb into the paper towels. Serve warm.
Bacon Wrapped Dates
These Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese are a perfect holiday appetizer. This is one of those party foods that will have everyone raving!
Ingredients
- 8 slices of bacon, sliced in half
- 16 dates
- 4 ounces goat cheese
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a plate with paper towels and set aside.
Using a sharp knife, slice the dates open lengthwise to remove the pit and also create a pocket.
Stuff goat cheese into the pocket of each date.
Wrap each date with a half slice of bacon, securing with a toothpick through the top.
Place bacon wrapped dates on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven, and place dates on their side before baking for for another 6-7 minutes. Continue this process until all sides are browned and crisped to your liking. It is important to turn your dates occasionally as they cook so that the bacon will crisp up on all sides.
Once baking is completed, place dates on the prepared plate and allow some of the excess grease to absorb into the paper towels. Serve warm.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
16Serving Size:
1 DateAmount Per Serving: Calories: 66Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 9mgSodium: 130mgCarbohydrates: 5gFiber: 1gSugar: 5gProtein: 3g
Elizabeth Lampman is a coffee-fuelled Mom of 2 girls and lives in Hamilton, Ontario. She enjoys travelling, developing easy recipes, crafting, taking on diy projects, travelling and saving money!