These bacon wrapped dates are stuffed with goat cheese, covered in bacon, then brushed with maple syrup before they go into the oven to bake to perfection. A super easy and unique 4 ingredient appetizer!
You can never go wrong with bacon, whether it’s bacon mac and cheese, bacon deviled eggs, or these sweet and savory bacon wrapped dates.
When I’m looking to serve something a little unexpected at a party, I turn to these bacon wrapped dates. They’re fun to eat, simple to make and always get rave reviews from family and friends.
These dates are one of my favorite appetizers for parties along with crockpot little smokies, grape jelly meatballs and crab stuffed mushrooms. Make your party a hit with these classic and delicious appetizers!
Table of Contents
Bacon Wrapped Dates Ingredients
To make bacon wrapped dates you will need Medjool dates, goat cheese, bacon, maple syrup and parsley.
How Do You Make Bacon Wrapped Dates?
This bacon wrapped dates recipe starts with large Medjool dates. Cut each date open and remove the pit. Fill the dates with creamy goat cheese, then wrap each date in a slice of bacon and secure the bacon with a toothpick. Brush the dates with maple syrup. Place the dates on a baking sheet or sheet pan. Bake them until the bacon turns golden brown. Sprinkle with parsley, then serve immediately and enjoy.
Tips For The Perfect Dates
- Do not use thick cut bacon for this recipe, it will take much longer to cook.
- You can serve your dates with the toothpicks intact, or remove the toothpicks for a more elegant presentation.
- Be sure to turn your bacon wrapped dates occasionally as they cook so that the bacon will crisp up on all sides. If you don’t want to turn the dates, you can bake them an oven safe wire rack on a sheet pan. A wire rack allows heat and air to reach the underside of the dates.
- You can place a sheet of parchment paper on your sheet pan if you want to prevent the dates from sticking to the sheet pan.
- You can usually find Medjool dates near the produce section of your grocery store.
- Feel free to assemble your dates up to 8 hours before you plan to bake them.
Quick Tip
You can use a small spoon to fill your dates, or a piping bag fitted with a plain tip.
Recipe FAQs
The easiest way to pit a date is to use a small paring knife. Cut a line lengthwise down each date. The cut should be about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick, you’ll know when to stop when your knife hits the pit. Gently pull the date open and remove the pit. You can also buy pre-pitted dates at many grocery stores which makes prep time go much faster.
You can store these dates in the refrigerator and reheat them for later use. Place chilled dates on a sheet pan, then bake at 350 degrees F for 6-8 minutes or until they warm through and bacon crisps.
Bacon wrapped dates are large dates that are pitted and filled with cheese and wrapped in bacon. People bake them in an oven until they are sweet and savory delicious bite-size appetizers.
Follow Me
Flavor Variations
This is an easy and simple way to do bacon wrapped dates, but there are many different ways to customize the flavors to your tastes.
- Coating: Try wrapping your dates in prosciutto or pancetta. If you use prosciutto, just know that the cook time will be reduced.
- Cheese: Instead of goat cheese, use cream cheese, blue cheese or a mixture of cheeses.
- Fillings: It is very common to add nuts to stuffed dates. Add a whole almond or a pecan half for a bit of added crunch.
- Spices: You can mix spices into your goat cheese such as Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, black pepper, garlic powder or onion powder. Fresh herbs such as minced chives are also a nice touch.
- Honey: Try brushing the dates with honey for a sweet flavor.
Impress your friends by bringing this fun snack to your next gathering. That sweet and salty combination just can’t be beat!
More Easy Appetizers
Reuben Dip
30 mins
Baked Chicken Wings
55 mins
Potato Skins Recipe
1 hr 45 mins
Avocado Dip Recipe
6 mins
Bacon Wrapped Scallops
35 mins
Bacon Wrapped Dates Video
Love This Recipe?
Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments section further down the page.
Bacon Wrapped Dates
Ingredients
- 20 Medjool dates pits removed
- 6 ounces goat cheese softened
- 10 slices bacon cut in half
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- cooking spray
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a sheet pan with cooking spray.
- Use a small spoon or a piping bag to stuff each date with about 1 teaspoon of goat cheese. Press each date shut.
- Wrap each date in a piece of bacon and secure with a toothpick.
- Brush the maple syrup all over the wrapped dates.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, turning occasionally, until bacon is browned and crispy.
- Sprinkle with parsley then serve immediately.
Notes
- You can use a small spoon to fill your dates, or a piping bag fitted with a plain tip.
- Do not use thick cut bacon for this recipe, it will take much longer to cook.
- You can serve your dates with the toothpicks intact, or remove the toothpicks for a more elegant presentation.
Hello Sara,
These were nuts good! Put them together in the morning and baked later for a Super Bowl snack. We loved them!!!
Thanks for sharing.
Great recipe! Made this as an appetizer for Christmas and the family loved it.
Delicious and so easy! We like them hot or cold!
Love making these, Great appetizer. try using the cream cheese mixture call BOUSIN?? Find it in the cheese section. YUMMMMY
I’ve also made them with strawberry swirl cream cheese. for a dessert bite
Delicious 😋. I made it with half of them goat cheese and the other half blue cheese. Both were really tasty. Will make this recipe again.
Ummmm… YUM!!! I am def making these for Christmas! Thank you for sharing!
What is your recommendation for assembling ahead of time and then Baking later?
AMAZING!!!! This tastes like a restaurant dish. So easy too. Thank you!