Herby Goat Cheese Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates

These Herby Goat Cheese Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates are filled with a creamy, tangy and herb-filled goat cheese, wrapped with smoky bacon, and brushed with a hot honey glaze. They’re easy to make and the perfect party snack or appetizer for the holidays! 

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Why You’ll Love These Bacon Wrapped Dates

1. Perfect for a crowd – This recipe makes 24 servings which is perfect if you’re serving your holiday dinner guests. It’s also incredibly easy to double or even triple the recipe if needed.
2. Full of flavor – there’s nothing new about bacon wrapped dates but my version takes the flavor to a new level with fresh herbs, lemon zest, and a hot honey glaze.
3. Easy to make – This recipe looks impressive but is super simple to make with just a few steps required. It’s elevated but still easy which is exactly the vibe I’m going for this holiday season!

Watch How to Make this Recipe

Recipe Ingredients 

Goat Cheese: You’ll want to make sure to use a really delicious, high-quality goat cheese that you love. I recommend going with a log of goat cheese instead of the pre-crumbled version, because those often include stabilizers and anti-caking agents that make it hard to actually blend the cheese with the other filling ingredients. If you want even more flavor, you could use a peppered or herbed goat cheese.

Fresh Herbs: we’re using a combination of fresh rosemary and fresh thyme to give the goat cheese filling the best flavor.  

Lemon Zest: this adds a really nice brightness to the filling. 

Medjool Dates: Medjool dates work best because they’re larger and softer than other varieties with a sweet, slightly caramel-like flavor.

Bacon: you’ll need 12 slices of bacon, cut in half. I recommend using thin-cut slices so that they cook more evenly and get crispy in the oven.

Hot Honey: you can find this in the honey section of your local grocery store. I like the slight kick it adds to the dates but you could also go with regular honey if you prefer.

How to Make

Step One: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees, and line a sheet pan with raised edges with parchment paper. 

Step Two: Add the goat cheese, rosemary, thyme, and lemon zest to a small bowl. Stir to combine, and set the mixture aside. 

Step Three: Next, cut a slit into the dates lengthwise, making sure not to cut all the way through. Remove the pit from each date. 

Step Four: Add the hot honey and a pinch of kosher salt and pepper to a second small bowl. Stir to combine. 

Step Five: Slice the bacon strips in half. 

Step Six: Next, stuff each date with a teaspoon or so of the goat cheese mixture. Then, wrap a half slice of bacon around each date, and place them on the prepared sheet pan. 

Step Seven: use a pastry brush to brush each date with teh hot honey glaze. You won’t use it all! So, reserve the rest for after baking. 

Step Eight: Bake the bacon wrapped dates for 15 to 20 minutes or until the bacon is crisp. 

Step Nine: Remove the dates from the oven, and brush the remaining glaze on top. Serve warm garnished with fresh herbs and flaky salt. Enjoy! 

My Favorite Recipe Tips and Tricks

1. Be careful not to slice all the way through the dates. You want to create a slit just large enough to remove the pit and hold the filling. 
2. Avoid overstuffing the dates or your goat cheese filling will ooze out and burn. 
3. You can use toothpicks to hold the bacon secure around the dates if needed.
4. Serve your bacon wrapped dates immediately for the best taste and texture. 

How to Store

This recipe is best served right away while the dates are still warm and the bacon is crisp! However, if you have leftovers, you can transfer them to an airtight container, and store them in the fridge for 1 to 2 days. 

Serve cold, or warm leftovers in the oven just until heated through. Be careful not to burn the bacon! 

More Crowd-Pleasing Appetizers You’ll Love

• Creamy Whipped Ricotta with Honey and Herbs
• Sweet and Sour Meatballs
• Turkey and Cheese Sliders with Cranberry Aioli
• The Best Smoked Salmon Dip
• Air Fryer Chicken Wings
• Easy Buffalo Chicken Bites
• Slow Cooker Beef Enchilada Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

I hope you give this Goat Cheese Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates Recipe a try! It’s an easy, flavorful protein option that’s great for meal prep. If you do give this recipe a try, let me know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. You can also snap a photo & tag @allthehealthythings on INSTAGRAM. Your reviews and ratings help support All the Healthy Things and make it possible for me to continue to create the recipes you trust and love.

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Recipe by: Ashlea Carver / All the Healthy Things | Photography by: Eat Love Eat