Bacon Wrapped Dates Recipe

This Bacon Wrapped Dates Recipe is the appetiser that disappears first at every party. Soft, caramel sweet Medjool dates are stuffed with tangy goat cheese, wrapped in smoky bacon and baked until the bacon is crisp and the cheese is warm and creamy. Sweet, salty, smoky and tangy in a single bite.

For more party favourites, try our Spinach Artichoke Dip, our Buffalo Chicken Dip and our Baked Brie with Fig Jam and Walnuts.

What Makes These Bacon Wrapped Dates So Good

The magic is the contrast in every bite. The date is soft and honeyed, the goat cheese is cool and tangy, and the bacon turns crisp and salty in the oven. Together they hit every flavour note at once, which is why people keep reaching back for just one more, even when they promised themselves they were done.

They are also one of the easiest party appetisers you will ever make. There are only four main ingredients, the assembly takes about twenty minutes, and the oven does the rest. Make a double batch for a crowd, as a single batch never seems to be enough, and serve them warm straight from the baking sheet.

The Key Ingredients

A short list of simple ingredients builds the sweet, salty flavour.

The Dates

Medjool dates are the only choice here. They are large, soft and naturally caramel sweet, with a tender flesh that holds its shape in the oven. Smaller dates dry out and turn chewy, so buy plump, glossy Medjools and check that each one is pitted before you stuff it.

The Goat Cheese

Soft goat cheese adds a cool, tangy contrast to the sweet date and salty bacon. It melts just enough in the oven to turn creamy without running out. If goat cheese is not your favourite, cream cheese, blue cheese or a whole almond all work in its place.

The Bacon

Regular cut bacon crisps best, as thick cut bacon takes too long and can leave the dates overcooked. Cut each slice in half so it wraps neatly around one date, and secure it with a toothpick so it stays put while it bakes.

The Honey Drizzle

A light drizzle of honey and balsamic glaze at the end adds shine and a final sweet and tangy note. It is optional, but it makes the finished dates look glossy and polished on the serving plate.

How to Make Bacon Wrapped Dates

The method is simple: stuff the dates, wrap them in bacon, then bake until crisp.

• Preheat the oven: heat the oven to 400 F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Stuff the dates: fill each pitted date with a small spoonful of goat cheese and a whole almond.
• Wrap in bacon: wrap half a slice of bacon around each date and secure it with a toothpick.
• Arrange on the sheet: place the dates seam side down on the baking sheet with space between them.
• Bake until crisp: bake for 20 to 25 minutes, turning once, until the bacon is crisp and browned.
• Drizzle and serve: let them cool for 5 minutes, drizzle with honey and balsamic glaze, then serve warm.

Mistakes to Avoid

Using Thick Cut Bacon

Thick cut bacon needs longer in the oven, and by the time it crisps the dates are dried out and the cheese has leaked away. Regular cut bacon crisps in about 20 minutes, which is exactly the time the dates need.

Overstuffing the Dates

Too much cheese will bubble out in the oven and burn on the baking sheet. A small spoonful is plenty, as the cheese is a bright accent, not the main event. Press it in gently and close the date around it.

Skipping the Toothpicks

Bacon unwinds as it shrinks in the oven, leaving the date bare and the bacon curled on the sheet. A toothpick through the seam holds everything together, and it doubles as a handy handle for serving.

What to Serve with Bacon Wrapped Dates

This is a sweet, salty appetiser, and it loves simple party partners:

• A cheese board, for a grazing spread that fills the table
• Marinated olives, for a briny, savoury contrast
• Roasted nuts, for a crunchy, salty nibble
• Sparkling wine, for a festive, bubbly pairing

Make It Your Own

The recipe welcomes tweaks. Swap the goat cheese for blue cheese and a walnut half, or use a whole pecan instead of an almond. Brush the bacon with maple syrup before baking for a sweeter glaze, or add a pinch of smoked paprika to the cheese for a gentle warmth.

Make These Bacon Wrapped Dates Today

Sweet, salty, smoky and gone in minutes, these are the bites that make a party feel special. Make a batch tonight and watch the plate empty before you have even sat down. Browse more of our Snack and Appetizers recipes for more party favourites.