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! 

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

goat cheese stuffed dates ingredients

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.

goat cheese mixture in small bowl

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. 

stuffed dates on baking sheet lined wit parchment

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! 

stuffed dates on baking sheet lined with parchment paper and brushed with honey

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! 

bacon wrapped dates on serving platter being drizzled with honey

More Crowd-Pleasing Appetizers You’ll Love

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 INSTAGRAMYour 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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bacon wrapped dates on serving platter

Herby Goat Cheese Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 2 reviews
  • Author: Ashlea Carver
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x
  • Category: Appetizers
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

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! 


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 ounces goat cheese, room temperature (herbs, black pepper)
  • 1/2 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
  • 1/2 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 24 medjool dates
  • 12 slices of bacon, cut in half
  • 1/4 cup hot honey
  • pinch of kosher salt and black pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line a sheet pan (with raised edges) with parchment paper.
  2. Make the Herby Goat Cheese: Add the goat cheese, fresh rosemary, fresh thyme, and lemon zest to a small bowl. Stir together until well combined and set aside.
  3. Prep the Dates: Cut a slit into the dates, lengthwise, being sure not to cut the dates all the way through. Remove the pit.
  4. Prep the Hot Honey Glaze: Add the hot honey and a pinch of kosher salt and pepper to a small bowl. Stir until well combined.
  5. Prep the Bacon: Slice the bacon in half.
  6. Assemble the Dates: Stuff each date with a teaspoon or so of goat cheese. Then, wrap the half slice of bacon around each date and place on the lined sheet pan.
  7. Use a pastry brush to brush each of the dates with the hot honey glaze. You won’t use it all so reserve the rest for after the dates have baked.
  8. Bake the dates at 400 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes or until the bacon is crisped.
  9. Remove from the oven and brush the remaining glaze over the dates. Serve warm, garnished with additional fresh herbs, and flaky salt.

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

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2 Comments

  1. Made it as a Thanksgiving appetizer and it was amazing!






  2. So so so so good!! Easy and delicious, can’t ask for more.