Bacon Wrapped Dates

Mouthwatering Bacon Wrapped Dates are the perfect sweet and savory appetizer! These bite-sized delights are stuffed with creamy goat cheese, crunchy nuts and a touch of cinnamon, wrapped in crispy bacon and brushed with a sweet glaze. Effortless, elegant and exploding with flavor!

Looking for more delicious appetizers? Here are some of our favorites: Cranberry Pecan Mini Goat Cheese Balls, this impressive yet easy Charcuterie Board and these crowd-pleasing Stuffed Mushrooms!

Bacon Wrapped Dates Recipe

We are seriously obsessed with these easy bacon wrapped dates! You can make these stuffed dates quickly with just a handful of ingredients. An ultra creamy filling made with your choice of goat cheese or cream cheese gets an added crunch with the addition of walnut or pecans and a dash of cinnamon.

Once the sweet and chewy stuffed dates are wrapped in bacon, you simply brush them with a honey butter glaze and bake until mouthwatering. They’re perfect for holiday parties, game day gatherings, or any time you want to wow your guests with minimal effort.

Anytime these are served at a dinner party, potluck, or event of any kind, they’re always the first to run out. Easy to make and impossible to resist, they’ll steal the spotlight at any gathering.

Trish’s Tip: Keep the toothpicks in the dates after baking – makes them easy to pick up!

Why You’ll Love Stuffed Dates

A party favorite with a gourmet twist! These Bacon Wrapped Dates are stuffed with a blend of creamy cheese, nuts, and cinnamon, wrapped in crispy bacon, and brushed with a sweet glaze. They’re a guaranteed hit at any event!

• The flavors! Sweet, salty, crunchy, creamy – this bacon wrapped dates recipe has it all! Plus the softer texture of the dates and cream cheese wrapped in the crispy bacon is such a treat!
• They’re unique. The name sounds a little fancy, but the recipe is astoundingly easy. Dates aren’t too common on ingredients lists so I find this is a fun recipe to get party goers to try. I grew up on dates – my Nana loved them – so this recipe is a serious winner in my book.
• Easy to make. With just a handful of ingredients and easy steps, this appetizer comes together in no time.
• Crowd favorite. These bite-sized treats always disappear quickly at parties and gatherings – in fact, I always at least double the recipe.

Stuffed Dates Ingredients

Bacon Wrapped Dates are a sophisticated and delicious appetizer. They’re always a crowd pleaser at special functions! As always, you can find the full printable recipe with complete instructions in the recipe card at the end of this post. Let’s take a look at what you’ll need…

• goat cheese or cream cheese – Softened goat cheese or cream cheese is the foundation of the filling in these stuffed dates. I find that full fat has the best flavor.
• chopped walnuts – Pecans and almonds work great too. Toast the nuts for even more flavor. Finely chop the nuts.
• ground cinnamon – A couple of pinches for spice. You can omit if you prefer but I love the depth of flavor and warmth it adds to this recipe.
• bacon – Thinly sliced, not thick cut.
• Medjool dates – Remove the pits if needed.
• honey – You could swap for maple syrup.
• butter – Salted or unsalted, melted.

How To Make Bacon Wrapped Dates

Sweet dates are stuffed with goat cheese or cream cheese and chopped walnuts, wrapped in bacon, brushed with honey butter and baked to perfection. These tasty bites are perfect for special occasions!

Let’s take a quick look at how to make this mashed potatoes casserole and, as always, you can find the full, printable recipe card at the end of this post.

1. Combine the cheese, chopped nuts and ground cinnamon in a small bowl.
2. Stir together until combined.
3. Remove the pits from the dates if needed.
4. Stuff the dates with about a tablespoon of the cheese mixture.
5. Cut each slice of bacon in half and wrap the pieces around each date. Secure the bacon to the date with a toothpick.
6. Arrange the dates on a lined baking sheet.
7. Combine the melted butter and honey in a small bowl.
8. Brush the mixture over each date.
9. Bake the bacon wrapped dates for 15 to 20 minutes at 350°F or until bacon is crispy.

Toast the nuts for more flavor! Spread walnuts (or pecans) in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 5 to 8 minutes, stirring frequently. Let cool before chopping and adding to the cheese.

Storage Information

An effortless appetizer that’s as elegant as it is delicious! These dates are best served straight from the oven but here are options for making ahead, storing leftovers, freezing and reheating:

• Make Ahead: Dates can be prepped (pitted and stuffed) a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container until ready to bake.
• Leftovers: Leftover stuffed dates should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to crisp up the bacon.
• Reheating: You can reheat leftover dates by baking at 350°F for about 7 minutes!.
• Freezing: Dates wrapped in bacon can be frozen before baking. Place them on a baking sheet and flash freeze for 30 minutes to freeze individually. Transfer dates to a freezer-safe bag or container. Bake straight from the freezer but add a few extra minutes to the baking time.

Variations to Try

I always recommend trying the recipe once as written and then have some fun with these customizations:

• Swap in a flavored cream cheese for an instant flavor upgrade.
• Skip the nuts and add a sprinkle of dried cranberries or chopped figs to the filling. Any other dried fruit will work as well.
• Try pistachios, almonds, pecans or your favorite nut in this recipe.
• Consider wrapping the dates with prosciutto for a quicker cook time.
• Add a dash of cayenne pepper to the filling or drizzle with hot honey after baking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use other types of dates?

Yes, but Medjool dates are ideal because of their size and natural sweetness. Smaller dates may need less filling and shorter baking times.

What if I don’t like goat cheese?

Cream cheese is a great substitute, or you can experiment with other soft cheeses like mascarpone or ricotta.

Can I make these in an air fryer?

Absolutely! Cook at 375°F for about 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the bacon is crispy.

What exactly are dates?

Dates are a type of fruit! They come from the date palm tree. A lot of times you’ll find them dried, similar to prunes. They’re sweeter than prunes but can have a similar texture when dried. 

How do I remove the pit from the dates?

The easiest way to remove the pits from the dates is to carefully slice each one open with a small paring knife. Remove the pit and discard. Stuff and complete as directed!

Trish’s Tips and Tricks

• You can swap the goat cheese for cream cheese or bleu cheese – both are great options to try.
• If the stuffed dates come out too greasy due to the bacon, blot them with a paper towel before plating and serving. 
• Thinly sliced bacon is the best to use because of its quick cook time. You want the bacon to fully cook and crisp up but you don’t want the dates to burn. Thicker cut pieces of bacon would take too long to cook all the way through.
• Feel free to change up the spices in the cream cheese for something more savory, spicy, or even sweet.
• Ensure the dates are stuffed but not overfilled, so the filling stays in place during baking.
• For extra crispy bacon, broil the bacon wrapped dates for 1-2 minutes after baking. Watch closely to avoid burning.
• If the bacon doesn’t stay wrapped, secure with toothpicks for easy handling.

More Amazing Appetizers

1. Cranberry Brie Pinwheels
2. Olive Dip
3. Chex Mix Recipe
4. Antipasto Charcuterie Wreath
5. Spinach Artichoke Dip
6. Baked Bacon Cheese Dip