These bacon-wrapped dates are the perfect blend of sweet and savory – a crowd-pleasing appetizer ready in just 22 minutes. The natural sweetness of dates pairs beautifully with crispy, salty bacon for an irresistible bite-sized treat that disappears fast at any gathering.
With only two main ingredients and minimal prep work, you’ll have an elegant appetizer that looks and tastes like it came from a high-end restaurant.
Ingredients for Bacon-Wrapped Dates
- Bacon: 12 slices thin-cut bacon, halved for perfect wrapping
- Dates: 24 fresh medjool dates, ensure they’re pitted
- Goat Cheese: 4 oz plain, room temperature for easy stuffing
- For the Glaze:
- Maple Syrup: 1/4 cup pure syrup for natural sweetness
- Cilantro: 1 tablespoon, finely chopped for freshness
- Sweet Onion: 1 tablespoon, minced for subtle flavor
- Red Pepper Flakes: A pinch for optional heat
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prep the Oven: Heat to 400°F and arrange a metal cooling rack on a lined baking sheet
- Create Glaze: Mix maple syrup, cilantro, minced onion, and pepper flakes until well combined
- Prepare Dates: Create a lengthwise slit and fill each date with a teaspoon of goat cheese
- Wrap with Care: Envelop each stuffed date with half a bacon slice, secure with a toothpick
- Apply Glaze: Brush each wrapped date with the maple mixture
- Bake to Perfection: Cook for 15-20 minutes until bacon turns crisp
- Finish: Drizzle remaining glaze and serve warm or at room temperature
Cooking Techniques
The magic of these bacon-wrapped dates happens at 400°F – the perfect temperature to get your bacon crispy while keeping those dates wonderfully tender! The cooling rack trick is a game-changer here.
By lifting the dates off the baking sheet, hot air can circulate all around them, giving you perfectly crispy bacon on all sides. No more soggy bottoms!
Mix and Match Options
While goat cheese adds amazing tang to these little bites, you can totally switch things up! Blue cheese brings bold flavor, while cream cheese offers a milder, creamy alternative. Not a cilantro fan? Fresh basil or parsley work beautifully in the glaze. For a spicier kick, add extra red pepper flakes or a tiny drop of sriracha to your maple glaze.
Serving Ideas
These sweet and savory bites shine as party appetizers! Arrange them on a pretty platter with fresh herbs for color. They’re perfect for holiday gatherings, game day snacks, or fancy brunches. Want to make them extra special? Put out small bowls of extra maple glaze and crushed nuts for dipping and sprinkling.
Storage Tips
Made too many? Lucky you! Keep these tasty morsels in an airtight container in your fridge for 2-3 days. When you’re ready to eat them again, just pop them in a 350°F oven for about 5 minutes to warm them up and crisp the bacon. The maple glaze might separate a bit in the fridge – just give it a quick stir before using.
Bacon Wrapped Dates
Equipment
- Baking sheet
- Metal cooling rack
- aluminum foil or parchment paper
- Toothpicks
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 12 slices bacon thin cut
- 24 medjool dates fresh, pitted
- 4 oz goat cheese plain
Glaze
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon sweet onion minced
- 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes if desired
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Place a metal cooling rack on top of a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil or parchment.
- Make glaze by stirring the glaze ingredients together. Set aside.
- Cut a slit in the center of the dates, lengthwise. Remove pit, if needed. Stuff the opening with a teaspoon of cheese.
- Cut bacon strips in half and wrap the bacon around each date, securing it with a toothpick. Place on prepared baking sheet.
- Brush a light coating of maple syrup glaze over each (reserve the extra).
- Bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes, or until bacon is crisp.
- Remove from oven and drizzle with any remaining glaze.
- Serve warm or at room temperature (refrigerate after 2 hours sitting out). Leftovers will keep for 2-3 days in the fridge.
