When you think of appetizers, dates may not be the first thing that comes to your mind, but I am here to tell you, they should be! After you taste these sweet and savory little bites, you will be hooked. The flavor of the sweet dates combined with the savory creamy filling of the goat cheese and then wrapped in crispy, salty bacon– it’s a symphony of flavors and textures that will have you begging for more.
Only 5 Ingredients
These tasty wrapped dates only require a few, fairly easy ingredients: Medjool dates – It is important to select the right kind of dates for this recipe. I use Medjool Dates because they are larger in size and it gives adequate space to stuff with goat cheese. They are also easy to pit and make the perfect bite-size for an appetizer. My favorite ones are from Costco and usually found in the produce section but they can also be found in most grocery stores in the dried fruit section Goat Cheese – These stuffed dates are only as good as the cheese you stuff in them. I like to get a high-quality soft goat cheese from the specialty cheese section at my grocery store. There are some great imported varieties to choose from. If you aren’t sure, ask the cheesemonger (aka the cheese specialist) at your grocery store and they will help you out. If you aren’t a fan of goat cheese, you can also use feta, blue cheese, or even cream cheese. Bacon – Be sure to use regular bacon and not the thick cut. It will not cook thoroughly if the bacon is thick. You can also use prosciutto or speck. Honey – I like brushing a little honey over the dates before serving. It just adds another sweet flavor dimension. To be honest, my very favorite way of making these is to add a little drizzle of Mike’s Hot Honey but not everyone appreciates the added kick. You can also use a little maple syrup or a sprinkle of brown sugar be Salt and pepper – Before serving I sprinkle on a little salt and pepper, which just rounds everything out nicely.
How to Make Bacon Wrapped Dates
First of all you will want to prepare the dates. Remove the stem on the end if there is one, then slice open lengthwise on one side, being careful not to slice all the way through the date. Remove the pit and gently pry the date open. Using a table knife or spoon, gather a little scoop of goat cheese and stuff the center of the date. Push the sides of the date back together to close. Cut the bacon slices in half and wrap around each date. You only want the bacon slice to wrap around about one and a half times. If it wraps around too much, the bacon won’t cook through and get crispy. Secure the bacon onto the date with a toothpick. Place the wrapped dates on a backing sheet lines with foil or parchment paper. Place the baking sheet in the cold oven and set the temperature to 375-degrees F. Bake for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, flip and bake another 5 minutes. Continue baking and flipping every 5 minutes until the bacon is browned, but before the dates start to burn. Brush with honey and sprinkle with salt and fresh cracked black pepper. Serve warm.
Tips for Serving, Storing, and Reheating
Instead of honey, you can sprinkle brown sugar over the bacon before baking. You can also use hot honey (as I mentioned above, this is my favorite), or maple syrup. These bacon wrapped dates can also be made in the air fryer. Just follow the instructions as usual and instead of baking them in the oven, put them in the air fryer at 375 degrees F for 10 minutes. Check for doneness, if necessary, turn the dates over and air fry for another 2-3 minutes. If serving at a party, keep the dates warm by placing them in a Crockpot on low heat (or on the “warm” setting). Although they are the best served warm or room temp, these bacon wrapped dates can also be eaten cold and they taste just fine. I have found myself sneaking to the fridge and popping one without re-heating and it’s a great, quick little bite. Store leftovers refrigerated in an airtight container for 3-4 days. To reheat, place in the oven at 375 degrees F for 8-10 minutes or re-heat in the air fryer at the same temp for 6-7 minutes. I don’t recommend using the microwave as the cheese may melt too fast and ooze out.
More Bite-Sized Appetizers
Looking for more easy bite-sized appetizers for your next party? Try some of these tasty bites: Bacon Wrapped Lil’ SmokiesCranberry Brie BitesCrockPot Lil’ SmokiesKielbasa AppetizerBaked Avocado Egg RollsCocktail MeatballsCaprese Chicken SlidersWhite Castle SlidersWinger’s Wings with Freakin’ Amazing Sauce We want to hear from you! Please leave a review. Rate and Review
