Bacon Wrapped Dates
Posted Mar 15, 2026
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Make these bacon wrapped dates (with or without goat cheese) and they’ll be the first appetizer to disappear at any gathering. Dates are stuffed with goat cheese, wrapped in bacon and topped with a spiced brown sugar topping.
These bacon wrapped dates might be my favorite appetizer of all time (along with guacamole of course).
This sweet and savory, bite-sized snack is so delicious you won’t be able to eat just one. In this recipe, pitted dates are stuffed with goat cheese (or not, it’s up to you), wrapped in bacon and topped with a spiced brown sugar mixture. Then, they’re baked to crispy perfection and served warm.
Every time I make them, they’re the first appetizer to disappear – seriously they’re so delicious you have to make them asap!
Bacon Wrapped Dates: Ingredients & Substitutions
- Bacon. Use your favorite variety, I suggest using a thin-cut bacon so it doesn’t take too long to bake.
- Pitted dates. I suggest medjool dates. Make sure they are pitted!
- Goat cheese. I suggest using plain goat cheese. But herbed or even honey-flavored work well too. You can use feta or cream cheese in place of goat cheese.
- Light brown sugar. dark brown sugar is a good choice.
- Paprika/Garlic Powder/Pepper. Use your favorite spices. I love this mixture but you really can use anything you like.
How to Make Bacon Wrapped Dates
Let’s walk through this recipe together step-by-step, and be sure to watch the video for additional guidance.
Begin by carefully slicing each date in half lengthwise ¾ of the way. Do not cut all the way through the date, you want to make sure the halves stay connected and in tact.
Then, spread about 1 teaspoon of goat cheese in the middle of each date.
Use your hands to gently squeeze the date until it’s closed.
Next, cut the slices of bacon in half (see photos).
Wrap one, half slice of bacon around each date (either stuffed with cheese or not) and secure with a toothpick.
Do this until all the bacon and dates are used.
Then, make the brow sugar topping. This is optional but adds great flavor. Combine the brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder and pepper in a small bowl.
Next, sprinkle about ½ teaspoon of the topping onto each of the bacon wrapped dates.
To prepare in advance
You can assemble them up to 24 hours in advance by stuffing the dates with goat cheese and wrapping in bacon. Place them on a baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator.
Then, make the brown sugar mixture and store it at room temperature in an airtight container. When you’re ready to bake, sprinkle the mixture on the dates and bake!
Then, bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the bacon is fully cooked and slightly crispy.
Serve
Serve the bacon wrapped dates slightly warm with your favorite appetizer recipes like a charcuterie board, candied pecans or whipped goat cheese dip.
I love serving this as a holiday appetizer for Christmas, Easter, New Year’s Eve, etc. or a snack while we watch football!
Store
Store leftover bacon wrapped dates in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a covered baking dish in the oven set to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius) until warmed through.
Bacon Wrapped Dates Recipe FAQS
Yes, you can assemble them up to 24 hours in advance by stuffing the dates with goat cheese and wrapping in bacon. Place them on a baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator.
Then, make the brown sugar mixture and store it at room temperature in an airtight container. When you’re ready to bake, sprinkle the mixture on the dates and bake!
No, you don’t have to stuff them with goat cheese if you prefer not to and they’re still delicious.
Medjool dates are the best choice because they’re large, soft, and naturally sweet—perfect for stuffing and wrapping with bacon.
If your dates get soggy, you can try baking them on a wire cooling rack on a baking sheet instead of directly on the baking sheet.
Yes, you can serve them warm or at room temperature.
Yes, reheat them in a covered baking dish in the oven set to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius) until warmed through (about 5 minutes).
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Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese
Video
Ingredients
- 10 Ounces bacon (12 slices)
- 24 medjool dates (pitted, 6.5 ounces)
- 2 ounces goat cheese
Brown Sugar Topping
- 3 Tablespoons light brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Heat oven 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius)
Stuff with Goat Cheese
- Carefully cut each date in half lengthwise ¾ of the way through the date (do not slice all the way through, keep the halves attached).
- Place about 1 teaspoon of goat cheese in the middle of each date, then close the date by squeezing the halves back together.
Wrap with Bacon
- Cut slices of bacon in half.
- Wrap one, half slice of bacon around each date (either stuffed with cheese or not) and secure with a toothpick.
Add the Brown Sugar Topping
- Combine the topping ingredients in a small bowl.
- Sprinkle about ½ teaspoon of the topping onto each date.
Bake & Serve
- Bake the dates for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the bacon is cooked. Rotating the baking dish once halfway through.
- Transfer the dates to a serving plate and serve warm.
Notes
- Bacon. Use your favorite variety, I suggest using a thin-cut bacon so it doesn’t take too long to bake.
- Pitted dates. I suggest medjool dates. Make sure they are pitted!
- Goat cheese. I suggest using plain goat cheese. But herbed or even honey-flavored work well too. You can use feta or cream cheese in place of goat cheese.
- Light brown sugar. dark brown sugar is a good choice.
- Paprika/Garlic Powder/Pepper. Use your favorite spices. I love this mixture but you really can use anything you like.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
