Sweet, creamy, salty & so easy! These bacon wrapped dates are the BEST holiday appetizer! Rich Medjool dates are stuffed with creamy goat cheese then wrapped in bacon & baked to crisp perfection. Finish them off with a drizzle of sweet maple syrup & flaky sea salt for a delicious appetizer eveyone will love!
I first brought these bacon wrapped stuffed dates to a family Christmas party a few years ago and they were a huge hit! Soft dates are filled with creamy goat cheese then wrapped in smokey salty bacon, baked until crispy and brushed with sweet maple syrup! By the end of the night, everyone was asking me for the recipe.😉
These stuffed dates have it all – rich, creamy, slightly sweet, smokiness from the bacon… it’s all just so good together! And they can easily be prepped ahead of time too so they’re perfect for appetizer parties. Even those guests who don’t like dates are going to love these!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Medjool dates: Medjool dates are soft, naturally sweet and perfect for stuffing. Look for the plumpest dates that are easy to split and pit.
Bacon: Thin-cut bacon works best! It cooks evenly and crisps up without overcooking the dates.
Goat cheese: Creamy tangy goat cheese adds a rich contrast to the sweet dates and salty bacon.
Maple syrup: A drizzle of maple syrup adds warmth and extra caramelized sweetness.
Fresh thyme: Adds a savory earthy note that balances the dates’ richness.
Flaky sea salt: A little goes a long way here! Just a sprinkle over the top enhances all the flavors.
How To Make Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Dates
1. Preheat the oven. Turn your oven on to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Pit the dates. Slice each date in half length-wise and remove the pit.
3. Stuff. Take a small amount of goat cheese and stuff it into the dates. Give them a gentle squeeze to “seal” the filling inside.
4. Wrap. Place one date at the end a slice of bacon and roll the date until you complete 1½ rolls. (It helps to “stretch” the bacon slightly while roling to create a thinner layer.) Take a sharp knife and cut the bacon so the “seam” is underneath the date. Continue the process until all the dates are wrapped. (Alternatively, you can secure the dates and bacon together with toothpicks if you’re nervous about the bacon unraveling.)
5. Bake. Place the wrapped dates on the prepared baking sheet with the “seam-side” down. Bake for 15 minutes then brush them with a maple syrup. Place the dates back in the oven and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes or until the bacon is crispy.
6. Serve! Transfer the dates to a serving tray and let them cool for at least for 5-10 minutes. (The bacon will crisp up as they cool.) Dizzle extra maple syrup over the top and garnish with flaky sea salt and fresh thyme leaves. Serve immediately.
Variations
Use flavored goat cheese! Cranberry cinnamon, honey, blueberry vanilla or even an herbed goat cheese would all be delicious.
Swap the cheese! Try blue cheese for a bolder bite, cream cheese for something milder or whipped feta for extra tang.
Adds some crunch! Mix some chopped almonds, pecans or pistachios into the goat cheese or sprinkle them over the dates.
Use a different drizzle! Finish the dates with honey, hot honey or your favorite balsamic glaze.
Switch the herbs! Try fresh rosemary or sage for a cozy holiday vibe.
Expert Tips
Buy whole dates – not pitted dates! (They’re bigger AND cheaper.😉)
Allow the goat cheese to soften at room temperature before stuffing the dates. It’s more pliable this way and easier to stuff.
Don’t overstuff the dates! A little filling goes a long way here.
Stretch the bacon while you roll the dates to create a thin layer. This helps the bacon cook evenly and crisp up more. (I can usually roll 3 dates per bacon slice depending on their size. Sometimes I’ll trim my bacon slices if they’re wider than my dates.)
Secure the dates and bacon together with a toothpick if you’re nervous about them unraveling.
Why you’ll love this stuffed date recipe!
- Sweet, salt & delicious! Caramel-like dates, creamy goat cheese and smoky bacon create that irresistible balance of flavors everyone goes crazy for.
- The perfect make-ahead appetizer! Prep them earlier in the day (or even the day before), then bake right before serving.
- Customizable! Swap the cheese, add nuts, drizzle with maple or hot honey – you can make them sweet, spicy, savory, or all three!
- Fancy yet easy! Just a handful of ingredients + minimal prep – they’re perfect for parties, holidays, or last-minute appetizers.
More appetizer recipes you might like:
- Baked Cranberry Brie Bites
- Pomegranate White Cheddar Cheese Ball
- Crockpot Cranberry BBQ Meatballs
- Baked Spinach Artichoke Bites
[Made one of my recipes? Tag my Instagram @kalefornia_kravings & leave a review in the comments – I love seeing what you create!]
Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese
Ingredients
- 24 medjool dates
- 6 oz. goat cheese, regular or flavored
- 8-12 bacon slices
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- Salt, to taste (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven. Turn your oven on to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Pit the dates. Slice each date in half length-wise and remove the pit.
- Stuff. Take a small amount of goat cheese and stuff it into the dates. Give them a gentle squeeze to "seal" the filling inside.
- Wrap. Place one date at the end a slice of bacon and roll the date until you complete 1½ rolls. (It helps to "stretch" the bacon slightly while roling to create a thinner layer.) Take a sharp knife and cut the bacon so the "seam" is underneath the date. Continue the process until all the dates are wrapped. (Alternatively, you can secure the dates and bacon together with toothpicks if you're nervous about the bacon unraveling.)
- Bake. Place the wrapped dates on the prepared baking sheet with the "seam-side" down. Bake for 15 minutes then brush them with a maple syrup. Place the dates back in the oven and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes or until the bacon is crispy.
- Serve! Transfer the dates to a serving tray and let them cool for at least for 5-10 minutes. (The bacon will crisp up as they cool.) Dizzle extra maple syrup over the top and garnish with flaky sea salt and fresh thyme leaves. Serve immediately.
