By Becky Hardin
Published Nov 27, 2018
These Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese are one tasty appetizer! Everyone loves a good bacon wrapped recipe, and these dates are out of this world. They’re perfect for game day and New Year’s Eve!
Why I Love This Bacon Wrapped Dates Recipe
I never get tired of bacon wrapped recipes. It’s such a simple idea: wrap basically anything in bacon, bake it, and everyone will love it! It makes for the perfect party appetizer, and they’re especially great for game day and New Year’s Eve. The mix of crispy bacon, sweet caramelized sugar on the outside, and creamy goat cheese in the middle is so delicious!
Variations on Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates
You can stuff these dates with other soft cheeses, like blue cheese, cream cheese, or ricotta. Other nuts that pair well with dates include walnuts and almonds.
How to Store and Reheat
If you happen to have some leftovers, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days just fine. You can also make these ahead of time and just keep them in the fridge until they’re ready to be eaten. Reheat them in the oven for about 10 minutes (or until fully heated through) at 375°F.
How to Freeze
Freeze bacon wrapped dates with goat cheese in a single layer on a lined baking sheet until solid, about 1-2 hours. Transfer to an airtight container or Ziplock bag to store for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these tasty bacon wrapped dates with goat cheese with a drizzle of balsamic glaze to really make their flavor pop!
You’ll need to remove the pit from the date to stuff them. To remove the pit, use a small paring knife to cut about halfway through (lengthwise), then take the pit out.
I love the contrast of tangy goat cheese against the sweet, caramelly dates. Other good choices include blue cheese or cream cheese!
Each whole bacon wrapped date with goat cheese is just 123 calories!
More Bacon Wrapped Recipes To Try
- Sweet & Spicy Bacon Wrapped Tater Tots
- Bacon Wrapped Asparagus with Dijon
- Bacon Wrapped Crackers Appetizer
- Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts Recipe
- Bacon Wrapped Shrimp Appetizer
- Bacon Wrapped Pineapple with Brown Sugar
5-Star Review
“I made this last night and it was the moistest chicken we’ve ever had. A bit of crispy and the flavor was wonderful. I didn’t have buttermilk and did add lemon juice to 1% milk. I am making it again today. Thank you for this recipe.” – Dawn
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 18 fresh Medjool dates pitted
- ▢ 4 ounces goat cheese
- ▢ 18 raw pecan halves
- ▢ 9 slices bacon halved crosswise
- ▢ ¼ cup dark brown sugar
Video
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F and set the oven rack to middle position. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and spray the foil with nonstick cooking spray.
- Open the dates lengthwise where they have been opened to remove the pits. If a date isn’t easy to open, slice it lengthwise but not all the way through. 18 fresh Medjool dates
- With a small spoon, partially fill the cavity of both sides of the date with goat cheese. 4 ounces goat cheese
- For each date, place a pecan half in the middle of one side and press the sides together to close the date. 18 raw pecan halves
- Wrap each date with half a slice of bacon (see note) and secure it with a toothpick. 9 slices bacon
- Holding the toothpick, dip each prepared date in brown sugar and press the brown sugar all around the date. ¼ cup dark brown sugar
- Place the date on the prepared baking sheet and repeat until all dates have been filled.
- Bake the dates at 375°F for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and turn the dates over. Bake an additional 8 minutes. To caramelize the brown sugar on the dates, set the oven to broil and broil the dates about 1 minute per side. Watch the dates closely once the dates are under the broiler.
- Remove the pan to a cooling rack and set the dates on a plate to cool to touch.
- The dates can be served as is or, if a smaller bite is desired, cut each date into 3-4 slices and serve as “pinwheels”.
Equipment
- Baking Sheet
Becky’s Tips
- Note: The bacon will crisp better if wrapped around the date in one layer. Trim the bacon only long enough to wrap around once with just enough overlap to secure the toothpick through the bacon. If the bacon is too thick, it won’t crisp properly.
- This recipe uses fresh Medjool Dates, not the dried kind you find in the baking or snack section.
- You might be able to find dates at the store that are already pitted, but if not, it’s really easy to remove the pit yourself.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Bacon Wrapped Dates Step by Step
Pit the Dates: Preheat your oven to 375°F and set the oven rack to middle position. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and spray the foil with nonstick cooking spray. Open each of the 18 fresh Medjool dates lengthwise where they have been opened to remove the pits. If a date isn’t easy to open, slice it lengthwise but not all the way through.
Stuff with Cheese: With a small spoon, partially fill the cavity of both sides of the date with a portion of 4 ounces of goat cheese.
Add a Pecan Half: For each date, place a pecan half in the middle of one side and press the sides together to close the date.
Wrap with Bacon: Wrap each date with half a slice of bacon and secure it with a toothpick.
Coat in Sugar: Holding the toothpick, dip each prepared date in ¼ cup of dark brown sugar and press the brown sugar all around the date. Place the date on the prepared baking sheet and repeat until all dates have been filled.
Bake the Dates: Bake the dates at 375°F for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and turn the dates over. Bake an additional 8 minutes. To caramelize the brown sugar on the dates, set the oven to broil and broil the dates for about 1 minute per side. Watch the dates closely once the dates are under the broiler.
Cut and Serve: Remove the pan to a cooling rack and set the dates on a plate to cool to the touch. The dates can be served as is or, if a smaller bite is desired, cut each date into 3-4 slices and serve as “pinwheels”.
Bacon Wrapped Dates Recipe with Goat Cheese
Equipment
- Baking Sheet
Ingredients
- 18 fresh Medjool dates pitted
- 4 ounces goat cheese
- 18 raw pecan halves
- 9 slices bacon halved crosswise
- ¼ cup dark brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F and set the oven rack to middle position. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and spray the foil with nonstick cooking spray.
- Open the dates lengthwise where they have been opened to remove the pits. If a date isn’t easy to open, slice it lengthwise but not all the way through. 18 fresh Medjool dates
- With a small spoon, partially fill the cavity of both sides of the date with goat cheese. 4 ounces goat cheese
- For each date, place a pecan half in the middle of one side and press the sides together to close the date. 18 raw pecan halves
- Wrap each date with half a slice of bacon (see note) and secure it with a toothpick. 9 slices bacon
- Holding the toothpick, dip each prepared date in brown sugar and press the brown sugar all around the date. ¼ cup dark brown sugar
- Place the date on the prepared baking sheet and repeat until all dates have been filled.
- Bake the dates at 375°F for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and turn the dates over. Bake an additional 8 minutes. To caramelize the brown sugar on the dates, set the oven to broil and broil the dates about 1 minute per side. Watch the dates closely once the dates are under the broiler.
- Remove the pan to a cooling rack and set the dates on a plate to cool to touch.
- The dates can be served as is or, if a smaller bite is desired, cut each date into 3-4 slices and serve as “pinwheels”.
Video
Notes
- Note: The bacon will crisp better if wrapped around the date in one layer. Trim the bacon only long enough to wrap around once with just enough overlap to secure the toothpick through the bacon. If the bacon is too thick, it won’t crisp properly.
- This recipe uses fresh Medjool Dates, not the dried kind you find in the baking or snack section.
- You might be able to find dates at the store that are already pitted, but if not, it’s really easy to remove the pit yourself.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
