This Bacon Wrapped Dates recipe is one tasty appetizer! Everyone loves a good bacon wrapped recipe, and these bacon wrapped dates with goat cheese and pecans are out of this world. They’re perfect for game day and New Year’s Eve!
Bacon Wrapped Dates
It’s time to celebrate because I’m back with more bacon wrapped appetizers! We’ve got Bacon Wrapped Crackers, Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts, and Bacon Wrapped Tater Tots. Now it’s time to add another amazingly delicious option into the mix: a Bacon Wrapped Dates recipe!
More specifically, bacon wrapped dates with goat cheese and pecans. This bacon wrapped recipe is the perfect appetizer for game day, New Year’s Eve, any holiday, or any party. The mix of flavors is incredible and they’re so easy to make too.
If you like dates, you’re really going to love dates wrapped in bacon…what’s not to love? A juicy little fruit (with plenty of health benefits, by the way), stuffed with goat cheese and pecans, then wrapped in everyone’s favorite thing (BACON!). Have I mentioned the bacon yet? Yup, you’re going to love these!
This Bacon Wrapped Dates recipe is the PERFECT appetizer for game day and holidays! Dates wrapped in bacon and stuffed with goat cheese and pecans. Yum!
FAQ for Bacon Wrapped Dates
What temperature do you cook bacon wrapped dates?
In this recipe, we are cooking the dates at 375°F for about 20 minutes total. Full details are in the recipe card below.
How do you remove a pit from a date?
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 half way through (lengthwise), then take the pit out.
How long do bacon wrapped dates last?
If you happen to have some leftovers, you can store them in the refrigerator for a couple of 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.
Can I freeze bacon wrapped dates?
These can be frozen if you want to make them well ahead of time, or if you have leftovers that you want to last longer. They can be frozen up to 3 months.
- Make sure they have fully cooled before storing.
- Place the dates in a single layer in a freezer-safe container.
- Use parchment paper to separate layers if you have a lot to store in one container.
- When ready to use, let them thaw fully in the refrigerator (overnight or up to 24 hours).
- Reheat them in the oven for about 10 minutes (or until fully heated through) at 375°F.
How to Make Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese
Dates wrapped in bacon are so easy to make, which means they’re the perfect party appetizer! Just stuff each one with goat cheese and pecan, wrap in bacon, then bake.
Here’s a quick overview:
- After removing the pit, fill the middle of each date with goat cheese and a pecan, then close it.
- Wrap a slice of bacon around each one and secure it with a toothpick.
- Dip each one in brown sugar then place it on a baking sheet.
- Bake them for 10 minutes at 375°F, then flip them and back another 8 minutes.
The mix of crispy bacon, sweet caramelized sugar on the outside, and creamy goat cheese in the middle is so delicious! Check the recipe card below for more detailed instructions.
Tips for Making Dates Wrapped in Bacon
Here are a few extra tips to help you with this recipe:
- This recipe uses fresh Medjool Dates, not the dried kind you find in the baking or snack section.
- I recommend using thinner strips of bacon to make sure it cooks fully.
- Be sure to cut the bacon strips the right length. You want the bacon to wrap fully around each date, but just barely. Secure it with a toothpick.
- This recipe makes 18 full dates wrapped in bacon. They are pretty big, so you can slice each one in half or into quarters. This will create the perfect little bite-sized pinwheels.
- 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.
Bacon Wrapped Recipes
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.
Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese are just the tip of the iceberg. You have to try these other recipes too:
- 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
I know you guys are going to love these dates wrapped in bacon and stuffed with goat cheese. I mean, YUM! What’s not to love? Make them for your New Year’s Eve appetizers, or make them for Superbowl Sunday. Your guests will devour them!
See the recipe card below for details on how to make Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese. Enjoy!
If you like this recipe, try these other tasty appetizers:
- Cheesy Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms
- Baked Bloomin’ Onion
- Herb Marinated Mozzarella
- Fried Goat Cheese Balls
- Classic Sausage Balls Recipe
- Ham and Cheese Roll Ups
Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese and Pecans
Ingredients
- 9 slices bacon halved
- 18 medjool dates pitted
- 4 ounces goat cheese
- 18 pecan halves
- ¼ cup dark brown sugar
Instructions
- Heat 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.
- With a small spoon, partially fill the cavity of both sides of the date with goat cheese.
- For each date, place a pecan half in the middle of one side and press the sides together to close the date.
- Wrap each date with ½ half slice of bacon (*see note) and secure with a toothpick.
- With the toothpick, dip each prepared date in 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 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”.
- Enjoy!
Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!
Becky’s tips
Nutrition Information
My last post it said order but it was supposed to read or derbs
I made these to take to a Christmas party They were delicious and gobbled up very fast I everyone. Next day at church The host of the Christmas party said to me “Your orders were delicious but there was only 1 problem, There wasn’t enough! So next time could you please make a double batch.” That was a great compliment I however did not use the brown sugar because they are sweet enough in the pecans that I used where Pre line coated Pecans. Next time I will definitely try the spicy Nut that another reviewer suggested sounds delicious
Thanks for sharing!!
Most frustrating site ever to actually find the recipe. Never using it again.
I am sorry, the ads are sadly necessary to keep this site going so you can have access to free recipes. There is an option at the top of the website to jump straight down to the recipe and skip everything in between!
I made this recipe today as part of a Tapas weekend meal. I am not fond of sweets so I left the brown sugar out. I am glad I did. I also did not have pecans. What this recipe needs is a spicy pecan on the inside. I searched for and found one. Next time I make this I will have a spicy surprise inside to round out the sweetness!
That sounds delicious! I’ll have to try it!
I’ve been making these for a few years (but without the coating). Will try your recipe soon…..holidays on the horizon!
A few comments follow for consideration by your readers.
An easier & faster way to remove pits without cutting the date: I use a new, washed & sterilized 1/4-inch little Allen wrench to push out the pits (tool in one end, pit pops out the other end). This is it’s only purpose. Easy!
Can substitute 8 oz. bleu cheese crumbles mixed with 2 oz. cream cheese for the feta.
For a little zing, I finely grate a little orange zest & add to the filling before stuffing the dates (use baggie with one corner snipped off).
That is so helpful!! Thank you, Marjorie!