Bacon Wrapped Dates Recipe - 3 Ingredient Appetizer - with Goat Cheese (2024)

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These 3 ingredient Bacon Wrapped Dates are a crowd favorite! Only 20 minutes to whip up this sweet and salty appetizer!

You guys! You needto make these bacon wrapped dates ASAP!

Chewy and sweet from the date, tangy and creamy from the goat cheese, and perfectly salty from the bacon.

Be ready to eat more than your fair share, because these are SO addicting. 😉

What are bacon wrapped dates?

Bacon wrapped dates are just what they sound like! A date stuffed with cheese that’s wrapped in bacon and baked until golden perfection! They’re a supersimple, delicious appetizer with just three ingredients! They’re salty, sweet, AND so easy to make!

Traditionally bacon wrapped dates are made with medjool dates and goat cheese, but feel free to play around with different dates and cheeses!

Ingredients

I always have these ingredients on hand for last minute appetizer emergencies!

• Goat Cheese– adds a creamy texture and tangy flavor to balance out the sweet dates and salty bacon.
• Medjool Dates– chewy, caramel-y, and super sweet. The perfect complement to the salty, savoriness of the bacon.
• Bacon– adds a crispy texture and savoriness to balance out the sweetness of the date.

How to make bacon wrapped dates

Three ingredients and five minutes of prep . . . idiculously easy to make and even easier to eat!

1. Remove the pit from each of the dates.
2. Stuff the dates with goat cheese.
3. Wrap each date in a piece of bacon.
4. Line the bacon wrapped dates on a baking sheet lined with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
5. Bake, cool, then serve and enjoy!

How long do you cooked bacon wrapped dates?

Cook bacon wrapped dates for 15 minutes at 375 degrees F.

If the bacon isn’t crisped to your liking, bake for another 2 minutes. Add more time, as necessary, but they should be good to go after 20 minutes!

What cheese to use for bacon wrapped dates?

I LOVE the creamy, tanginess of the goat cheese, but feel free to play around with different kinds. Here are some other cheeses that would tastedelicious with bacon wrapped dates.

• Flavored goat cheese: herb, honey, peppered, etc.
• Blue Cheese
• Brie (I’d suggest removing the rind)
• Feta
• Ricotta
• Cream Cheese

Do you need toothpicks?

You don’t need toothpicks to make bacon wrapped dates. The toothpicks simply help hold the bacon in place.

If you don’t have any, be sure to wrap the bacon around the date, so the date opening is facing up, but the seam of the bacon is placed down on the baking sheet. This ensures that the bacon won’t unravel, but the filling won’t fall out.

Tips for making the best bacon wrapped dates

• Use half pieces of bacon. A whole piece will wrap too many times around the date. You don’t want it to overlap too much or the bacon won’t cook fully.
• Soften your cheese to room temperature. This will make itmuch easier to scoop and spoon into each date.
• Bake longer to crisp the bacon.If you prefer crispier bacon, leave the dates in the oven for a couple more minutes.
• Use a spoon or piping bag.I used a small spoon to scoop the cheese into the date.
• Use thin-cut bacon.This ensures that it cooks fully!
• Remove the pits from the dates. This may go without saying, but make sure you remove the pits from each date before you spoon in the cheese. You could even replace it with an almond for some extra crunch!

Variations

This easy appetizer is delicious as is, but if you’re feeling adventurous, here are some ways you can get creative with the recipe!

• Use a different cheese.Try substituting goat cheese with blue, brie, feta, ricotta, or cream cheese!
• Use a different dried fruit.This recipe would also work with figs, apricots, or even prunes.
• Use a different meat. Try prosciutto instead of bacon. Keep in mind the cook time will be affected!
• Add nuts.Tuck half a pecan or a whole almond inside the date before adding the cheese for a little extra crunch.
• Spice it up.Mix spices, seasonings, or herbs into your cheese like paprika, garlic, chives, etc.
• Caramelize them.Coat the dates in honey or maple syrup before baking! Personally, I find this too sweet, but some people enjoy this!
• Make vegetarian.Omit the bacon, then top with maldon sea salt to compensate for the salty flavor and crunch the bacon would’ve provided.

What to serve with bacon wrapped dates?

Pair with other appetizers for a co*cktail party or serve these before dinner for a complete meal:

Other Appetizer Pairings

• Cranberry Brie Bites
• Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers
• Bruschetta

To Make into a Meal

• Honey Dijon Ham
• Pear, Blue Cheese, Candied Pecan Salad
• Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
• Balsamic Roasted Veggies
• Rolls or other fluffy carb of choice

Can bacon wrapped dates be made ahead of time?

These are best served right after cooking, but you can prep them ahead of time! Simply prep everything, secure with toothpicks (if using), cover the baking sheet, and store in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking.

You can also flash freeze the prepped dates then store them in the freezer for up to a month before baking. Let them defrost on a cookie sheet in the fridge a day before baking.

Keep in mind, this may affect the cook time since the dates will be cold.

Can you freeze bacon wrapped dates?

I don’t recommend freezing the dates after they’re baked but youcan prep and freeze them beforehand!

Place prepped dates on a baking sheet and freeze for 2-3 hours. Once they’re completely frozen, transfer them to an airtight container or ziplock baggie and freeze them for up to 1 month!

Defrost on a cookie sheet in the fridge a day before baking.

How to store

Although these are best served immediately, you can still store cooked and cooled dates in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days.

I don’t recommend storing these in the freezer after they’re already baked because the texture of the dates will change.

Can you reheat bacon wrapped dates?

To reheat your dates, place them back on the baking sheet and bake at 375 degrees F for 5-7 minutes or until they’re heated through and the bacon is re-crisped.

– Jennifer

This post has been updated to provide more detailed content.