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Home By Meal Snacks

Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese

★★★★★ 7 Reviews Recipe Print
gf nf
By: Alex Cagan11/26/19

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

bacon wrapped stuffed dates

An easy, three-ingredient appetizer that is perfect for all your football watch parties and upcoming holiday gatherings! These bacon wrapped dates with goat cheese are the idea combination of sweet, salty, and creamy. I promise, they’re impossible to resist.

Stuffed dates are like little chewy bites of heaven. If you’ve never had a stuffed date before, you’re in for a real treat! Fresh Medjool dates (like the kind of you find in the refrigerated produce section) are truly one of my favorite snacks.

I typically make stuffed dates on the sweeter side. Think.. dates stuffed with peanut butter and chocolate for dessert. But, this time I decided to put a savory spin on the recipe and add goat cheese and bacon for the perfect appetizer. If you’re looking for other appetizer ideas, you should check out my buffalo chicken meatballs or my healthy seven layer dip.

I used ButcherBox bacon when making this recipe. If you have been following me awhile, you know I love buying ButcherBox for all my meat. All the beef is 100% grass-fed & grass-finished and pasture raised, and the pork and chicken are fed a 100% vegetarian diet. I know when I’m buying from ButcherBox, the animals were raised humanely, and I am getting high quality, antibiotic/hormone free meat.

This recipe is perfect because it requires just three ingredients and is ready in about 30 minutes, most of which is hands-off cook time in the oven. Tom and I loved these as an afternoon snack while watching football, but they would even pack well for lunch. No sad desk lunches here!

The combination of the sweetness from the dates, saltiness from the bacon, and creaminess from the goat cheese is irresistible. Add these to your Thanksgiving appetizer rotation. I promise you won’t be disappointed!

Plate of bacon wrapped stuffed dates

All about dates

Where are all my fellow date lovers at!? I feel like dates often get a bad rap because they are high in (natural) sugar. But in reality, dates are actually a very healthy snack.

There are thousands of varieties of dates, but the most popular are Medjool and Deglet Noor. Despite being lumped in with all other dried fruits, dates are actually a fresh fruit! They grow on top of tall date palms and are picked fresh.

Unlike typical dried fruits, dates do not undergo any physical drying. That’s why you’ll find them in the refrigerated produce section at the grocery store. That’s also why they are also so healthy – there are no added sugars or oils since they are not processed. Just be careful of the chopped dates you may find in the baking isle. They may be processed/coated to keep them from sticking together!

Medjool dates are my favorite to buy. They are typically larger and sweeter than Deglet Noor and have a chewier texture.

While dates are high in sugar, it is all natural sugar. They are also high in fiber, which will keep your blood sugar from spiking. Dates are also very high in potassium – more potassium by weight than bananas!

pitted dates on a plate

Variations of bacon wrapped dates

This recipe is incredible versatile. I used goat cheese and pork bacon, but do not feel limited by that.

This recipe would be great with blue cheese in place of goat cheese. Or if you’re feeling fancy, you could use an herbed goat cheese.

Don’t eat pork? Feel free to substitute turkey bacon in place! I also think this would be great with proscuitto in place of bacon. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time down, since proscuitto is much thinner than bacon.

A drizzle of honey or maple syrup after cooking would also be delicious if you want some extra sweetness. Be sure to let me know if you get creative. I love seeing what you all come up with!

uncooked bacon wrapped dates

How to make bacon wrapped dates with goat cheese

One of the best parts of this recipe is how easy these are to make. There are already a million and one things to do around the holidays. No fuss appetizers are 1000000% necessary.

You could even assemble these ahead of time and pop them in the oven right before your guests arrive!

To make these bacon wrapped dates with goat cheese, you’ll need 12 pitted dates. I used the Medjool variety. Make sure they’re pitted! You can always pit them yourself, it will just be a bit more work. You’ll also need 3 oz of goat cheese and 6 large strips of bacon.

To assemble, cut slits in each of your dates and fill with 1-2 tsp of goat cheese, depending on the size of the dates.

Then, roll the stuffed state in bacon. You’ll use 1/2 slice of bacon for each date. Just make sure that the bacon wraps around the date 1.5 times. Stick a toothpick in the middle to hold together.

Lay each date on a parchment covered baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes at 375F. Flip the dates on their side and bake for another 10 minutes to ensure crispiness.

If bacon is not cooked through after 20 minutes, bake for another 5-10 minutes. Total cook time will depend on the thickness of the bacon. My ButcherBox bacon took about 25 minutes total.

If you liked this recipe, you’ll want to try these!

  • Paleo buffalo chicken meatballs
  • Easy avocado feta dip
  • Healthy seven layer dip

If you make this recipe, be sure to comment below and let me know how it was! Also tag @erinliveswhole on Instagram and use the hashtag #erinliveswhole so I can see it and feature you!

bacon wrapped dates
★★★★★ 5 from 7 reviews

Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese

A 3-ingredient appetizer recipe that is perfect for your football watch parties or holiday menu! These bacon wrapped dates stuffed with goat cheese are quick and easy to assemble and always a crowd pleaser!

Prep: 10Cook: 20Total: 30 minutes
Yield 12 stuffed dates 1x
Print Pin it Rate

Ingredients

  • 12 pitted dates
  • 3 oz goat cheese
  • 6 large strips of bacon (I used ButcherBox)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375F and line baking sheet with parchment paper
  2. Cut slits in dates and fill with 1-2 tsp of goat cheese, depending on size of date
  3. Roll bacon around stuffed date 1.5 times and stick a toothpick through the middle to hold together
  4. Lay on baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes
  5. After 10 minutes, flip dates by laying on their side to ensure crispiness throughout and bake for another 10 minutes
  6. If bacon still isn’t cooked, let cook for another 5-10 minutes. This will depend on the thickness of the bacon. My ButcherBox bacon took about 25 minutes. 
Author: Erin MorrisseyCategory: holiday, appetizer, gluten-free, vegetarianMethod: bakeCuisine: american
bacon wrapped dates

Did you make this?

Leave a comment below and tag @erinliveswhole on social media!

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There may be affiliate links in this post! By purchasing a product I recommend, I may receive a small compensation. However, I only recommend products I absolutely love and use myself. Thank you for supporting Erin Lives Whole, it helps keep this blog afloat 🙂

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Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

  1. Margo says

    Posted on 1/27 at 3:37 pm

    Can I bake these ahead of time and just heat for a min or two in the oven or microwave? I need to take them to a brunch.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 1/27 at 3:44 pm

      Hi Margo, yes of course. I’d probably suggest reheating in a toaster oven to keep them crispy but let me know how they come out!

      Reply
  2. Kimberly Douglas says

    Posted on 12/19 at 10:35 pm

    My sister made the bacon wrapped stuffed dates and they were the BOMB !!!!!! I hope mine turns out just as good as hers

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 12/22 at 2:38 pm

      Hi Kimberly, so happy you loved them!

      Reply
  3. Pauline says

    Posted on 2/14 at 8:29 pm

    So delicious and so easy!!! Definitely will make again 🙂

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 2/15 at 12:16 pm

      Hi Pauline, so happy you loved them!!

      Reply
  4. Johanna Bertini says

    Posted on 12/9 at 9:28 pm

    Omg!!! Made these for girlfriend’s gift exchange! AMAZING!!! Thanks Erin!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 12/10 at 11:32 am

      Hi Johanna, I am so glad you loved them!!

      Reply
  5. Donna says

    Posted on 7/17 at 1:46 pm

    Are they free able?

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 7/17 at 2:59 pm

      Hi Donna, yes, you can freeze them!

      Reply
  6. Mikaila says

    Posted on 1/28 at 4:05 pm

    these are amazing! I used an herb roule since it was what I had on hand but these did not last long amongst my friends!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 1/28 at 8:13 pm

      Hi Mikaila, I am so happy you and your friends liked them!

      Reply
  7. Kerstin Pocock says

    Posted on 1/11 at 5:15 pm

    These were scrumptious……!!!

    Hands down the highlight of my Christmas delights!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 8/12 at 8:02 am

      Hi Kerstin! Thanks for your kinds words! I am so happy you enjoyed them!

      Reply
  8. Linda Shemely says

    Posted on 1/1 at 9:48 pm

    I made these for New Year’s Eve get together. Everyone liked them! SO EASY to make. This is a keeper!!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 8/12 at 8:47 am

      Hi Linda, thanks for your kind words! I am so happy everyone enjoyed them so much!!

      Reply
    • Gretchen says

      Posted on 1/1 at 5:26 pm

      What a delicious appetizer! So easy to make.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Erin says

        Posted on 1/4 at 1:02 pm

        Hi Gretchen, I am so happy you loved them!

  9. Marne Conradie says

    Posted on 12/7 at 6:20 am

    Made this as a starter for dinner last night and it was a hit!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 8/13 at 8:06 am

      Hi Marne, I am so happy you enjoyed them!!

      Reply

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I’m Erin. Creator of Erin Lives Whole, a food blog with delicious and easy healthy recipes that will leave you feeling good. We’ve got everything from wholesome baked goods to comforting savory dishes. I can’t wait to see what you whip up! Read More...

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