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!

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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

    Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (12)

  • 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.

Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (20)

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”.

Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (23)

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 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.

Where do bacon wrapped dates come from? ›

While this appetizer was en vogue in the 1970s and 1980s, it has never gone out of style. In fact, it dates back to Victorian England, when bacon-wrapped oysters or prunes (also known as angels or devils on horseback) were eaten before or after a meal.

What cheese goes well with date? ›

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.

Does Trader Joe's have bacon wrapped dates? ›

Bottom line: Trader Joe's Uncured Bacon Wrapped Dates Stuffed With Goat Cheese: 7 out of 10 Golden Spoons.

What meat pairs well with dates? ›

Lamb: Enhance the flavour of your lamb with dried fruits such as cranberries, dates, prunes & raisins. Smaller, delicate cherries pair well with lamb salads while heartier dishes like lamb stew work best with apricots and other stone fruits.

How many dates per pound? ›

Includes 17-23 dates per pound, or Between 34-40 dates per 2 lb box. Unpitted.

How long do dates last? ›

Dates should be kept in an air-tight container and can be stored at room temperature or refrigerated up to 6 months, and frozen for up to 1 year. If purchasing dates in bulk meets your personal needs, you may opt to refrigerate or freeze any excess dates.

What is special about Medjool dates? ›

Medjool dates can help you increase the potassium in your diet, supporting these nervous system functions. The B vitamins in Medjool dates, such as pantothenic acid, folate, and niacin, help manage the metabolic processes that convert food to energy. Research shows this can help fight tiredness and fatigue.

What fruit did dates come from? ›

Dates grow on trees. Great big trees called "date palms," actually. They're native to the Middle East and have been a part of the region's cuisine for thousands of years(!!!). Dates grow in large clusters, kind of like bunches of grapes, which hang higher than fifty feet off the ground.

How to make 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.

What spices go well with dates? ›

Lastly, the fruits pair well with many assorted spices, especially cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Although, some date-based recipes call for chili and other spicier seasonings depending on the dish.

How many dates to eat per day? ›

It is ideal to have 100 g of dates or a handful of dates daily to get all the essential nutrients. However, the quantity to be consumed may differ from person to person based on calorie needs and underlying health conditions. You can ask a nutritionist how many dates you need to eat daily.

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.

Where do Trader Joe's Medjool dates come from? ›

Trader Joe's Organic Medjool Dates are organically grown in the Coachella Valley of Southern California—a region renowned for this fruit, long before music festivals were a thing. Our supplier selects only the best ones: large (about two inches long), with very soft and sweet, mildly fibrous flesh.

Are Trader Joe's dates good? ›

Trader Joe's Medjool dates are great in sweet or savory dishes. More often than not, I find supermarket dates are too dry, sweet, and expensive. However, I found some of the best, most affordable dates at Trader Joe's, perfect for both sweet and savory recipes.

What does dates go well with? ›

Dates pair well with cured meats, cheeses, and nuts (aka the most common additions to boards). Thus, you cannot go wrong by adding these dried fruits to your next charcuterie board. Dates can be presented on their own or stuffed with other tasty ingredients.

What do you pair bacon with? ›

Alright, here are our top 10 bacon pairings you may have never thought of:
  • Bacon & Brown Sugar.
  • Bacon & Biscuits.
  • Pork Belly & Local Colorado Whiskey.
  • Big Wave & a BLT.
  • Apples & Bacon.
  • Bacon & Brownies.
  • Seafood & Bacon.
  • Popcorn & Bacon.
Apr 23, 2024

How do you eat packed dates? ›

You can enjoy them fresh by simply removing the pit and consuming the sweet flesh. They are also used in baking, smoothies, and as a natural sweetener in recipes. Stuffed dates with nuts or cheese are popular snacks, and dates are often added to salads or oatmeal for extra flavor and nutrition.

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