Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (1)

By: Becky Hardin

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These Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese are one tasty appetizer! Everyone loves a good bacon wrapped recipe, and these dates are out of this world. They’re perfect for game day and New Year’s Eve!

Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2)

Table of Contents

Why We Love This Bacon Wrapped Dates Recipe

I never get tired of bacon wrapped recipes. It’s such a simple idea: wrap basically anything in bacon, bake it, and everyone will love it! It makes for the perfect party appetizer, and they’re especially great for game day and New Year’s Eve. The mix of crispy bacon, sweet caramelized sugar on the outside, and creamy goat cheese in the middle is so delicious!

Variations on Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates

You can stuff these dates with other soft cheeses, like blue cheese, cream cheese, or ricotta. Other nuts that pair well with dates include walnuts and almonds.

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How to Store and Reheat

If you happen to have some leftovers, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days just fine. You can also make these ahead of time and just keep them in the fridge until they’re ready to be eaten. Reheat them in the oven for about 10 minutes (or until fully heated through) at 375°F.

How to Freeze

Freeze bacon wrapped dates with goat cheese in a single layer on a lined baking sheet until solid, about 1-2 hours. Transfer to an airtight container or Ziplock bag to store for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these tasty bacon wrapped dates with goat cheese with a drizzle of balsamic glaze to really make their flavor pop! Use any leftover dates to make some walnut brownie protein balls or sticky toffee pudding cake for dessert.

How do you pit dates for stuffing?

You’ll need to remove the pit from the date to stuff them. To remove the pit, use a small paring knife to cut about halfway through (lengthwise), then take the pit out.

What kind of cheese goes with dates?

I love the contrast of tangy goat cheese against the sweet, caramelly dates. Other good choices include blue cheese or cream cheese!

How many calories in a date wrapped in bacon?

Each whole bacon wrapped date with goat cheese is just 123 calories!

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More Bacon Wrapped Recipes To Try

  • Bacon Wrapped Asparagus with Dijon
  • Bacon Wrapped Crackers Appetizer
  • Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts Recipe
  • Bacon Wrapped Shrimp Appetizer
  • Bacon Wrapped Pineapple with Brown Sugar

5-Star Review

“I made this last night and it was the moistest chicken we’ve ever had. A bit of crispy and the flavor was wonderful. I didn’t have buttermilk and did add lemon juice to 1% milk. I am making it again today. Thank you for this recipe.” – Dawn

Recipe

Bacon Wrapped Dates Recipe with Goat Cheese

4.62 from 54 votes

Author: Becky Hardin

Prep: 20 minutes minutes

Cook: 10 minutes minutes

Total: 30 minutes minutes

Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (6)

Serves18 dates

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This Bacon Wrapped Dates recipe is the PERFECT appetizer for game day and holidays! Dates wrapped in bacon and stuffed with goat cheese and pecans. Yum!

Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.

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Ingredients

  • 18 fresh Medjool dates pitted
  • 4 ounces goat cheese
  • 18 raw pecan halves
  • 9 slices bacon halved crosswise
  • ¼ cup dark brown sugar

Recommended Equipment

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375°F and set the oven rack to middle position. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and spray the foil with nonstick cooking spray.

  • Open the dates lengthwise where they have been opened to remove the pits. If a date isn’t easy to open, slice it lengthwise but not all the way through.

    18 fresh Medjool dates

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  • With a small spoon, partially fill the cavity of both sides of the date with goat cheese.

    4 ounces goat cheese

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  • For each date, place a pecan half in the middle of one side and press the sides together to close the date.

    18 raw pecan halves

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  • Wrap each date with half a slice of bacon (see note) and secure it with a toothpick.

    9 slices bacon

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  • Holding the toothpick, dip each prepared date in brown sugar and press the brown sugar all around the date.

    ¼ cup dark brown sugar

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  • Place the date on the prepared baking sheet and repeat until all dates have been filled.

  • Bake the dates at 375°F for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and turn the dates over. Bake an additional 8 minutes. To caramelize the brown sugar on the dates, set the oven to broil and broil the dates about 1 minute per side. Watch the dates closely once the dates are under the broiler.

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  • Remove the pan to a cooling rack and set the dates on a plate to cool to touch.

  • The dates can be served as is or, if a smaller bite is desired, cut each date into 3-4 slices and serve as “pinwheels”.

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Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!

Becky’s tips

Yield: This recipe makes 18 whole dates or 54-72 pinwheels.

  • Note: The bacon will crisp better if wrapped around the date in one layer. Trim the bacon only long enough to wrap around once with just enough overlap to secure the toothpick through the bacon. If the bacon is too thick, it won’t crisp properly.
  • This recipe uses fresh Medjool Dates, not the dried kind you find in the baking or snack section.
  • You might be able to find dates at the store that are already pitted, but if not, it’s really easy to remove the pit yourself.

Storage:Store bacon wrapped dates with goat cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1whole date Calories: 123kcal (6%) Carbohydrates: 21g (7%) Protein: 3g (6%) Fat: 4g (6%) Saturated Fat: 1g (6%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g Monounsaturated Fat: 1g Trans Fat: 0.01g Cholesterol: 7mg (2%) Sodium: 91mg (4%) Potassium: 198mg (6%) Fiber: 2g (8%) Sugar: 19g (21%) Vitamin A: 103IU (2%) Vitamin C: 0.02mg Calcium: 28mg (3%) Iron: 0.4mg (2%)

Did You Make This?I want to see! Be sure to upload an image below & tag @thecookierookie on social media!

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Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (16)

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How to Make Bacon Wrapped Dates Step by Step

Pit the Dates: Preheat your oven to 375°F and set the oven rack to middle position. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and spray the foil with nonstick cooking spray. Open each of the 18 fresh Medjool dates lengthwise where they have been opened to remove the pits. If a date isn’t easy to open, slice it lengthwise but not all the way through.

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Stuff with Cheese: With a small spoon, partially fill the cavity of both sides of the date with a portion of 4 ounces of goat cheese.

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Add a Pecan Half: For each date, place a pecan half in the middle of one side and press the sides together to close the date.

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Wrap with Bacon: Wrap each date with half a slice of bacon and secure it with a toothpick.

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Coat in Sugar: Holding the toothpick, dip each prepared date in ¼ cup of dark brown sugar and press the brown sugar all around the date. Place the date on the prepared baking sheet and repeat until all dates have been filled.

Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (21)

Bake the Dates: Bake the dates at 375°F for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and turn the dates over. Bake an additional 8 minutes. To caramelize the brown sugar on the dates, set the oven to broil and broil the dates for about 1 minute per side. Watch the dates closely once the dates are under the broiler.

Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (22)

Cut and Serve: Remove the pan to a cooling rack and set the dates on a plate to cool to the touch. The dates can be served as is or, if a smaller bite is desired, cut each date into 3-4 slices and serve as “pinwheels”.

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Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (24)

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Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

FAQs

What goes well with bacon wrapped dates? ›

Nuts are nice because they give some crunch. You could also drizzle them with truffle honey for a luxurious touch. Any kind of spicy chutney works great too. The bacon-wrapped dates are a great addition to any co*cktail party and they pair especially well with wine.

What cheese goes well with dates? ›

Various cheeses pair wonderfully with dates. Some popular options include creamy Brie, tangy blue cheese, sharp cheddar, aged Gouda, or even crumbly goat cheese. The sweetness of the dates complements the flavors of these cheeses.

Can you freeze bacon wrapped dates? ›

Make Ahead and Freezing Instructions:

Leftovers will keep for 2-3 days in the fridge. To Freeze: Fill the dates with cheese, wrap with bacon and secure with a toothpick. Place in a freezer safe container and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator before adding glaze and baking.

What pairs well with dates in baking? ›

Dates pairs so well with cocoa powder, maple syrup, nuts, coconut, peanut butter, and so much more. You'll even find some fresh fruit and sea salt in the mix with these dessert-inspired date recipes. Enjoy layers of chewy Medjool dates, creamy peanut butter, crunchy peanuts, and chocolate.

What flavors go well with dates? ›

Dates taste lovely when paired with cured meats and cheeses, making them a popular addition to charcuterie boards. The fruits are also used in many plant-based recipes. Lastly, the fruits pair well with many assorted spices, especially cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.

What makes dates taste better? ›

Make your own trail mix by mixing dates in with your favorite nuts such as almonds, peanuts, pecans and walnuts and other dried fruits. A Different Drizzle. Blend dates with a small amount of milk until smooth then drizzle over whole wheat waffles, oatmeal, or French toast.

How many dates we can eat in a day? ›

So, if you want to snack on something healthy while also keeping your cholesterol in check, consider adding dates in your diet. Having five to six dates per day is enough for your health. Remember, since it has some amount of sugar added, don't have them in excess as it can lead to high sugar levels and diabetes.

Can you eat dates and bananas together? ›

Hello, They are a healthy combination. You can go, ahead.

Can you reheat bacon wrapped dates? ›

Can bacon wrapped dates be reheated? Bacon-wrapped dates are best served warm, when the dates are soft and the bacon is crisp. You can make a day ahead and bake before serving, or bake a few hours ahead and reheat in a 350-degree oven for about six minutes.

What is bacon wrapped dates made of? ›

My favorite bacon-wrapped dates recipe is made with (actually!) crispy bacon, tender Medjool dates, and stuffed with your choice of cheese. Easy to make and always a party favorite! I've made this 3-ingredient easy appetizer more times than I can count for happy hours, dinner parties, holiday gatherings…you name it.

How do you unfreeze dates? ›

The last and quickest method is using a bowl of cold water. If you just realized at the last minute that you need dates for your recipe and yet they're all frozen, then this is the go-to method. Place the fruits in a bowl with cold water and in about 30 minutes to an hour, they'll be defrosted and ready for use.

What do you eat pitted dates with? ›

Once pitted, they have a natural pocket just waiting to be filled with sweet or savory fillings. Try goat cheese or cream cheese along with chopped nuts for a savory option or stuff them with almond butter for a sweeter treat.

What flavors go best with bacon? ›

Even though it doesn't necessarily come with a mild flavor, bacon is a total blank canvas. With the help of some extra ingredients and spices for your bacon, you can take its original savory, salty, and smoky flavor and enhance it with things like chili powder and coffee, Sriracha, maple syrup, brown sugar, or honey.

What does bacon taste good with? ›

Almost anything savory, like just about any meat, bread, or vegetable dish and even a few sweet things, like pancakes, waffles, and French toast, with maple syrup. Greens cooked with bacon and onions are delicious. Crumble crispy bacon to add to any potato dish, or sprinkle on a salad. Possibilities are endless.

How do you eat dates traditionally? ›

Simply bite into each date and remove the pit if there is one for a delicious snack. You can also use dried dates in smoothies to help sweeten them without adding refined sugar. Simply soak 3 pitted, dried dates in hot water for 10 minutes to soften them.

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