Description
Sweet, smoky, and creamy, these Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese are the perfect appetizer to impress your guests. Medjool dates are stuffed with tangy soft goat cheese, wrapped in thick-cut hickory smoked bacon, coated in a spiced brown sugar mixture, and baked until crispy and caramelized. Finished with an optional drizzle of hot honey, they offer a delightful balance of flavors—sweet, savory, and a hint of heat—in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Dates & Filling
- 2 (8 ounce) packages Pitted Medjool Dates (21 dates total)
- 4 ounces soft goat cheese
Bacon & Coating
- 7 slices thick-cut hickory smoked bacon
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar (packed)
- 1 teaspoon Ancho Chili Powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Optional
- Hot honey (for drizzling)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the dates.
- Prepare Spice Mix: In a small shallow bowl, mix together the brown sugar, ancho chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder to create a flavorful coating.
- Open Dates: Carefully hold each pitted date and use your fingers or a small paring knife to find the natural seam where the pit was removed. Gently pry it open without splitting the date entirely, working slowly to separate if needed.
- Stuff Dates: Spoon about ½ teaspoon of the soft goat cheese into each opened date. Press the sides gently to partially close it around the cheese, leaving some visible.
- Wrap with Bacon: Cut bacon slices into thirds lengthwise. Wrap one piece of bacon snugly around each stuffed date, securing it with a toothpick through the center to hold the bacon in place.
- Coat Dates: Roll each bacon-wrapped date in the spiced brown sugar mixture generously, ensuring an even coating.
- Bake: Arrange the coated dates on a baking sheet, spaced about 1 inch apart. Bake in the preheated oven for 18 minutes or until the bacon is crisp and caramelized.
- Serve: Serve warm as is, or drizzle with hot honey for an extra touch of sweetness and heat before serving.
Notes
- Use thick-cut bacon for best results, as it holds its shape well during baking.
- Pitted Medjool dates are preferred for their size and natural sweetness.
- To prevent sticking, line your baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- The hot honey drizzle adds a spicy sweet finish but is optional if you prefer less heat.
- Ensure you secure the bacon with toothpicks to keep the wrapping intact while baking.
- Leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven to retain crispiness.
