Easy Bacon Wrapped Dates With Goat Cheese
While in Palm Desert, I visited the famous Shield Date Farm. I love dates but I had no idea how difficult it is to grow a date. I learned a lot about dates at the farm and I had the opportunity to sample various type of dates. The Madjool date is the king of all dates.
Medjool dates are a FRESH FRUIT. Most people think of dates as a dried fruit because they’re thinking of the dates you buy in the baking aisle. Medjool dates are actually harvested from the date palm, cleaned, sorted and packaged right away. There’s no processing and they’re never physically or chemically dried. That’s why you’ll find them in the produce section at the grocery store. I am telling you, they are the best type of dates you can eat. I am suggesting you use this date in this recipe but not necessary.
Medjool dates have a rich, almost caramel-like taste and a soft, chewy texture whereas regular dates, commonly called Deglet Noor, are usually smaller and have a firm flesh and a sweet, delicate flavor.
Anyway, while at the Shield Date Farm, we enjoyed bacon wrapped medjool and IT WAS MIND BLOWING. I wanted to share this recipe with you so you can enjoy this during the holidays. The best!
Ideal quick appetizer if you love dates!
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or place a wire rack on top of the baking sheet.
- Stuff the dates.
- Open each pitted date and fill with about 1 teaspoon of goat cheese, cream cheese, or blue cheese.
- Gently press the date closed.
- Wrap with bacon.
- Wrap each stuffed date with a half slice of bacon.
- Secure with a toothpick.
- Bake.
- Arrange on the prepared baking sheet with a little space between each date.
- Bake for 15 minutes.
- Turn each date over and continue baking for another 10–15 minutes, until the bacon is crisp and caramelized.
- Serve.
- Let cool for 5 minutes.
- Drizzle with hot honey or balsamic glaze, if desired, and garnish with parsley.
Notes
Delicious Variations
🧀 Classic Goat Cheese
Creamy goat cheese adds a tangy contrast to the sweet dates and smoky bacon.🌰 Blue Cheese & Pecans
Stuff with blue cheese and a toasted pecan half for a bold, steakhouse-inspired appetizer.🥜 Almond-Stuffed
Insert a whole roasted almond inside each date before wrapping with bacon for extra crunch.🌶 Sweet & Spicy
Add a thin slice of jalapeño inside the date and finish with a drizzle of hot honey.🍁 Maple Glazed
Brush the bacon lightly with maple syrup during the last 5 minutes of baking for a sweet, caramelized finish.Gal Pal Tips
- Use regular-cut bacon, not thick-cut, so it crisps before the dates overcook.
- Soaking the toothpicks helps prevent them from scorching in the oven.
- For even crispier bacon, bake the dates on a wire rack so the fat can drip away.
- These can be assembled up to 24 hours in advance. Cover and refrigerate, then bake just before serving.
Perfect Pairings
These crowd-pleasing bites pair wonderfully with:- Charcuterie boards
- Brie stuffed mushrooms
- Mixed olives
- Candied nuts
- Sparkling wine or Champagne
- A Brown Derby cocktail
Storage
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Warm in a 350°F oven for 8–10 minutes or in the air fryer for 4–5 minutes until the bacon crisps back up.
