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Ideal quick appetizer if you love dates!

Sweet, smoky, and irresistibly delicious, these bacon-wrapped dates are one of the easiest appetizers you'll ever make. The caramelized dates pair perfectly with crispy bacon, and adding a creamy cheese filling takes them over the top. Perfect for holiday parties, cocktail hours, game days, or elegant entertaining.
Print Recipe
Servings: 8 people
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 20 Medjool dates pitted
  • 10 slices regular-cut bacon cut in half crosswise
  • 4 oz goat cheese cream cheese, or blue cheese (optional but highly recommended)
  • 20 toothpicks soaked in water for 15 minutes
  • Optional Garnishes
  • Hot honey
  • Balsamic glaze
  • Chopped fresh parsley
  • Cracked black pepper

Method
 

  1. 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.
  2. Stuff the dates.
  3. Open each pitted date and fill with about 1 teaspoon of goat cheese, cream cheese, or blue cheese.
  4. Gently press the date closed.
  5. Wrap with bacon.
  6. Wrap each stuffed date with a half slice of bacon.
  7. Secure with a toothpick.
  8. Bake.
  9. Arrange on the prepared baking sheet with a little space between each date.
  10. Bake for 15 minutes.
  11. Turn each date over and continue baking for another 10–15 minutes, until the bacon is crisp and caramelized.
  12. Serve.
  13. Let cool for 5 minutes.
  14. 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.
Gal Pal Tip: Double the recipe if you're entertaining. These appetizers disappear from the platter in minutes, and guests always ask for the recipe! 🥓✨