Bacon-Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese

Goat Cheese–Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Dates

4.5

(4)

3 Reviews

These bacon-wrapped dates are stuffed with creamy goat cheese for the perfect salty-sweet appetizer bite. Deglet Noor dates are smaller than Medjool dates and work best for this recipe. Center-cut bacon has had fat removed from either side of the strip, making it a leaner choice. If you’re having trouble keeping the bacon in place, secure it with a wooden pick before baking.

Amanda Stanfield

Published on November 17, 2023

Tested by

Julia Levy

Reviewed by Dietitian

Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD

a recipe photo of the Goat CheeseâStuffed Bacon-Wrapped Dates — Photo:
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

Active Time:

20 mins

Total Time:

35 mins

Servings:

8 servings

Nutrition Profile:

Sesame-Free Nut-Free Soy-Free Egg-Free Gluten-Free

Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

2 ounces soft goat cheese
1 tablespoon warm water
1/2 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme, plus more leaves for garnish
32 small dates, such as Deglet Noor
11 slices center-cut bacon, cut into 2 1/2-inch pieces

Directions

Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Mix goat cheese, water and thyme in a medium bowl until well blended and smooth.

Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
Using a paring knife, cut a slit lengthwise down one side of each date; remove pit. Place the dates on the prepared baking sheet.

Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
Fill each date with about 1/2 teaspoon of the cheese mixture. Press the date closed. Wrap each date tightly with 1 bacon piece (reserve any remaining bacon pieces for another use); place the dates seam-sides down on the baking sheet, 1 1/2 inches apart. (If the bacon pieces are loose, use wooden picks to secure them.)

Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
Bake for 15 minutes. Flip the dates and bake until the bacon is crispy, 12 to 13 minutes more. Transfer to a platter. Garnish with thyme leaves, if desired.

Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

Equipment

Parchment paper

Nutrition Information

Serving Size: about 4 dates

Calories 144, Fat 5g, Saturated Fat 2g, Cholesterol 15mg, Carbohydrates 21g, Total Sugars 18g, Added Sugars 0g, Protein 5g, Fiber 2g, Sodium 182mg, Potassium 198mg

Frequently Asked Questions

Are dates good for you?

Dates are a naturally sweet source of energy-enhancing carbohydrates and offer a nice boost of fiber. Dates are also rich in antioxidants, which means they offer disease-fighting properties, too. Of note, how you store your dates can influence their antioxidant content. Store them in a cool, dry place or in the refrigerator to help maintain the highest level of antioxidants.
Is goat cheese healthy?

Like cow’s-milk cheese, goat cheese offers a variety of nutrients, including being an excellent source of vitamin A. If you are lactose-intolerant, you might be able to tolerate goat’s milk and cheese better than cow’s milk and cheese. However, this isn’t necessarily due to goat milk’s lower lactose content, as it’s not that much lower than cow’s milk. It may, instead, be due to the smaller fat molecules in goat’s milk compared to cow’s milk, which make it easier to digest.
Can I use a different type of cheese?

Yes, you can! Feel free to use any type of soft cheese, such as blue cheese or feta cheese. Be sure to blend it well with the water and thyme until a semi-soft mixture forms, which makes it easier to fill the dates.
What type of dates should I use?

We recommend using small dried dates, such as Deglet Noor dates, which are smaller than Medjool dates and work best for this recipe. Deglet Noor dates have a narrow, elongated oval shape and are golden amber in color.
What is center-cut bacon? Is there a substitute?

Center-cut bacon has had fat removed from either side of the strip, making it leaner than regular bacon. The thinner strips are also the perfect width because they’re easier to wrap around each date. You can substitute it with regular bacon with the fatty edges trimmed off.
How can I make the bacon extra crispy?

For crispy bacon, it’s key to flip the bacon-wrapped dates about halfway through the baking process so that they cook evenly on both sides. If you prefer crispier bacon, you can bake the dates for a couple of extra minutes, but watch them carefully so that they don’t burn. Avoid using thick-cut bacon, which will have a chewier texture and won’t crisp up as much as center-cut bacon.