Description

These Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese are a delightful appetizer combining sweet, smoky, and creamy flavors. Pitted Medjool dates are stuffed with tangy soft goat cheese, wrapped in thick-cut hickory smoked bacon, rolled in a spiced brown sugar mixture, and baked until the bacon is perfectly crispy. Drizzle with hot honey for an extra touch of sweetness and spice, making them an irresistible party snack or appetizer.

Ingredients

Scale

Dates and Filling

2 (8 ounce) packages Pitted Medjool Dates (about 21 dates)
4 ounces soft goat cheese

Bacon and Coating

7 slices thick-cut hickory smoked bacon, cut into thirds lengthwise
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

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Instructions

Preheat and prepare bacon: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Cut each slice of bacon into thirds lengthwise, creating smaller strips perfect for wrapping the dates.
Mix coating spices: In a small shallow bowl, combine the brown sugar, ancho chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder to create a flavorful coating mixture.
Open the dates: Hold each pitted date in your hand and gently pry open the natural seam where the pit was removed, taking care not to split the date completely in half. Work slowly if the date is stuck together to form a small pocket for the cheese.
Stuff with goat cheese: Spoon about ½ teaspoon of soft goat cheese into the cavity of each date. Press the sides gently to close the date partially, leaving some goat cheese visible for added appeal.
Wrap with bacon: Take one of the bacon strips and wrap it snugly around the goat cheese-stuffed date. Secure the bacon by inserting a toothpick through the center, piercing both ends where the bacon meets to keep it in place.
Coat in brown sugar mixture: Roll each bacon-wrapped date generously in the prepared spiced brown sugar mixture, ensuring an even coating for sweet and smoky flavor.
Bake to crisp: Arrange the dates on a baking sheet spaced about 1 inch apart. Bake in the preheated oven for 18 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and caramelized.
Serve: Serve the bacon-wrapped dates warm as a delicious appetizer. Optionally, drizzle with hot honey before serving for a sweet and spicy finish.

Notes

Pitting Medjool dates beforehand saves preparation time; ensure they are soft and fresh for best results.
Using thick-cut hickory smoked bacon adds deep smoky flavor and holds together well during baking.
If hot honey is not available, substitute with a drizzle of regular honey or maple syrup with a pinch of cayenne for heat.
To keep bacon in place, toothpicks are essential; remove them before eating to avoid injury.
For a vegetarian version, omit bacon and bake stuffed dates topped with a sprinkle of extra brown sugar and spices.