Easy Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates are a sweet and savory appetizer that’s always the star of the party. With only a few ingredients, you can whip up this easy recipe in no time for your next gathering.
about these bacon wrapped stuffed dates
So you love bacon. And you love goat cheese. What do you do? Of course, you stuff goat cheese inside meaty dates with a touch of fresh thyme and wrap them in bacon. Add a drizzle of hot honey at the end, and you have an unforgettable appetizer that your guests won’t stop eating.
Don’t worry though! The thyme and hot honey drizzle are totally optional. Of course, those two little upgrades to three ingredients bacon wrapped dates really make a difference in the flavor.
When it comes to making a bite-sized recipe to feed a crowd, I want it to have only a handful of ingredients and I want it to be easy.
This recipe covers both those points, while also delivering a punch of sweet and salty flavor!
let’s talk about why you’ll love the recipe:
If you know me at all, you know I am a sucker for a classic recipe with a little twist. Nothing is more classic than bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with cheese!
- There are just a few ingredients! It’s all about simplicity here.
- You can both sweet and salty in one perfect bite-sized appetizer! The saltiness from the bacon combined with the sweetness of the dates and the tangy goat cheese is irresistible.
- Prep them ahead of time easily! You can prep them a few days in advance for the fridge or up to a month in advance with our freezer option described below.
what are bacon wrapped dates?
Bacon wrapped dates, also known as “Devils on Horseback”, are exactly what you think they are. Dates are stuffed with a cheese mixture and wrapped in bacon. Baked until the bacon is crispy, it’s a simple recipe that everyone will love.
ingredients
dates. Medjool dates are my personal favorite to use because of their size, soft texture, and flavor. I buy them with pits because they tend to be softer and taste fresher. However, you can also buy them with the pits removed if you want to save yourself this step in the recipe.
cheese. This recipe uses goat cheese (use your favorite kind!). You can also use blue cheese, gorgonzola, or feta cheese.
thyme. Fresh thyme is preferred! It is an optional ingredient, but I really like the added flavor it brings.
bacon. Use regular bacon for this recipe. Do not use thick cut bacon as it will not cook through in the oven.
honey. The honey is optional for drizzling on top, just before serving. You can use regular honey, but I prefer hot honey.
toothpicks. Pro tip – be sure to soak your toothpicks in water for about 10 minutes before using. This will help prevent them from burning too much in the oven!
this recipe’s must haves
You will need a bowl from a set of mixing bowls and a spoon to stir together the goat cheese and fresh thyme.
To bake them, you will need a half sheet baking pan.
here’s how to make bacon wrapped stuffed dates
remove pits
Slice the dates lengthwise with a small paring knife to create an opening. Remove the pits and discard.
stuff
Add goat cheese and fresh thyme to a bowl, stirring to combine. Stuff each date cavity with a small amount of the goat cheese mixture.
wrap
Cut the bacon slices in half. Use one half to wrap each stuffed date, overlapping the ends slightly and then securing with a toothpick.
bake
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Place assembled dates in a single layer, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
Bake for 10 minutes. Flip the dates over carefully and bake for another 6 to 8 minutes, until the bacon is crispy.
Remove from oven and place on a plate lined with paper towel. Let cool for about 5 minutes at least before serving (if you serve them straight out of the oven, they will burn your mouth!). I like to drizzle mine with a little hot honey and sprinkle them with chopped parsley just before serving!
tips and tricks
don’t stuff the dates with too much cheese. Make sure that you are only stuffing the dates with just enough cheese to fill them. If you put too much in there, it will all come oozing out in the oven.
do not wrap your dates with too much bacon. If you are wrapping your dates in a full slice of bacon, they will never cook through. Instead the bacon will be raw and the dates will burn. Make sure that you are only wrapping your bacon about 1 time with the half slice of bacon with just a bit of overlap to easily secure it with a toothpick. This is how to get your bacon to cook through properly, without the hassle of pre-cooking the bacon.
variations
Here are just a few ideas to make these bacon wrapped dates your own! It’s a fun idea to make a couple of different fillings to give your guests other flavors to try out.
- change the cheese – use blue cheese or gorgonzola instead of goat cheese! You can also use feta if you would like.
- add more fresh herbs – If you love fresh herbs, add in more to the party! You can use herbs like parsley, basil, and rosemary to add more flavor.
- use flavored goat cheese – I love to use a flavored goat cheese as an easy shortcut to adding new flavors to the mix. Plus you can skip adding in the fresh herbs if you want to!
- add nuts – use chopped pistachios, walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, pecans, or your favorite type of nut. It adds a fun little extra crunch!
For even more ideas, check out our stuffed dates with 4 different filling recipes and even MORE ideas.
prep them in advance
There are two ways you can prepare these bacon wrapped dates in advance.
refrigerator
Assemble the dates. Store on a plate or tray and cover them with plastic wrap. They will last in the refrigerator for about 2 to 3 days.
Bake as instructed.
freezer
Place assembled dates in a single layer on a lined baking sheet pan. Be sure that the dates are not touching each other. Freeze until frozen solid, which will take about 4 to 5 hours.
Store the frozen dates in a resealable bag for up to 1 month.
Thaw them overnight in the refrigerator. Bake as instructed.
More delicious easy appetizers to try: Marinated Mozzarella Balls | Greek Hummus | Cheese Corn Balls | Tomato Puff Pastry Tarts
can you freeze bacon wrapped dates?
No, I do not recommend freezing the cooked bacon wrapped dates. The texture ends up not being very good when you thaw and reheat them.
You can freeze them prior to baking if you want to prep them ahead of time, as I’ve outlined above.
how do you reheat dates wrapped in bacon?
If you have leftovers, you can easily reheat them later to enjoy again! Preheat the oven to 350˚F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place dates on the baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 5 to 7 minutes, until fully heater through.
do dates go on a cheese board?
Yes, these dates can certainly be incorporated on your cheese board or charcuterie board. It’s a fun little snack that will liven up the typical spread of cheese and meats.
can these be served cold?
I do not recommend serving these cold! They are best warm or at room temperature.
can I make these in the air fryer?
Yes, you can easily make this is the air fryer! Preheat the air fryer to 400˚F. Once hot, add prepared dates to the basket in an even layer. Space them apart so they do not touch (you will likely need to work in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer). Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, then flip. Cook for another 5 to 6 minutes until the bacon is crisp. Enjoy!
what kind of bacon should I use?
Use regular cut bacon when you are making this recipe. I do not recommend using thick cut bacon as the bacon will not cook through before the dates start to burn in the oven.
Need more inspiration for appetizers? Check out my appetizer recipes page!
what to serve with these bacon wrapped dates with goat cheese
These bacon wrapped dates are the perfect party food for any occasion, so I’m usually serving it with other party food! You could add these dates to a charcuterie board or a cheese board. There are also a bunch of other party recipes you can whip up:
Mashed potato fritters are tender and creamy on the inside with a golden brown, crunchy exterior.
For something meaty, try a tray of roast beef sliders with caramelized onions.
Savory sausage stuffed mushrooms are a flavorful classic that everyone loves.
Bacon wrapped water chestnuts are another easy favorite that everyone will gobble up.
BBQ bacon wrapped shrimp is a simple appetizer with only a few ingredients!
If you are serving these for New Year’s Eve, check out our full list of New Year’s appetizers!
To go with these party snacks, you’ll need a big batch cocktail. Here’s some of our favorites – one for every season:
Spring: A limoncello spritz only needs three ingredients and can easily be made into a big batch!
Summer: Refreshing vodka strawberry lemonade is made with fresh lemons and strawberries, making it perfect for a lazy summer afternoon.
Fall: If you love ginger beer, this cranberry orange moscow mule is for you! For a pomegranate cocktail, try this pomegranate negroni.
Winter: Festive Christmas punch or easy Christmas sangria are big batch holiday drinks that are meant to serve a crowd.
how to store and reheat
Store. Leftover dates can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Note that you can also assemble the dates and store them covered with plastic wrap on a plate until you are ready to bake them. They will last for about 2 to 3 days like this.
Reheat. Reheat in the oven preheated to 350˚F. Place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and bake for about 5 to 7 minutes, until fully heated through.
Freeze. To prep these ahead of time, assemble the dates in a single layer on a lined baking sheet. Do not let them touch each other or they will stick together. Freeze until solid, about 4 to 5 hours. Place in a resealable freezer-safe bag for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight then bake as instructed. Do not freeze them after they have been baked as this will impact the texture and they don’t reheat well after cooking.
more tasty goat cheese recipes
Try a tangy twist on spinach artichoke dip by incorporating goat cheese into the mix!
A simple cranberry walnut goat cheese ball is an easy appetizer that can also be part of your favorite cheese board.
Whipped goat cheese dip is a no-fuss appetizer that’s perfect for anytime of year.
Finally, if you make this stuffed bacon wrapped dates recipe, please be sure to give this recipe a rating and/or leave a comment! I love to hear when you all make recipes, and I do take the time to respond to every single comment.
Feel free to drop questions below too, if you have them!
Oh and be sure to tag me on Instagram if you make the recipe! I love being able to see these recipes come to life in your homes – it’s my favorite thing to look through those photos. It really means the world to me!
Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates
ingredients
- 16 Medjool dates
- 4 oz goat cheese
- 1 tsp freshly chopped thyme optional
- 8 slices bacon do not use thick cut as it will not cook all the way through
- Honey for drizzling
- Toothpicks
instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350˚F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Slice dates lengthwise with a small paring knife to create an opening. Remove the pits and discard them.
- Stir together goat cheese and fresh thyme in a bowl. Stuff each date cavity with a small amount, about 1 to 2 teaspoons of the goat cheese mixture.
- Cut bacon slices in half. Use each half to wrap each stuffed date, overlapping the ends slightly and securing with a toothpick.
- Place assembled dates in a single layer, spacing them about 1 inch apart, on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 10 minutes. Flip the dates over carefully and bake for another 6 to 8 minutes, until the bacon is crispy.
- Remove from oven and place on a plate lined with paper towel. Let cool for about 5 minutes at least before serving (if you serve them straight out of the oven, they will burn your mouth!). I like to drizzle mine with a little hot honey and sprinkle them with chopped parsley just before serving!
