Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese and Honey

Bacon wrapped dates are the ultimate sweet and salty party bite. Soft, caramel-like Medjool dates are stuffed with tangy goat cheese, wrapped in bacon, and baked until the bacon is crispy and the cheese is warm and creamy. A drizzle of honey at the end makes them glisten.

They take only three main ingredients and about 15 minutes of prep. Every time I bring them to a holiday party, someone asks for the recipe.

Pair them with whipped goat cheese with hot honey, cranberry brie filo crackers, and a glass of something bubbly.

JUMP TO

• Why You’ll Love This Bacon Wrapped Dates
• What Is Bacon Wrapped Dates?
• Ingredients
• Kitchen Equipment
• Ingredient Tips
• How to Make Bacon Wrapped Dates
• Expert Tips for Perfect Bacon Wrapped Dates
• Delicious Variations
• What to Serve with Bacon Wrapped Dates
• Storage Instructions
• Can You Make It Ahead?
• Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Estimated Nutrition
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Conclusion

Why You’ll Love This Bacon Wrapped Dates

These little bites deliver big flavor with almost no effort.

Sweet and Salty

Caramel dates and smoky bacon are a perfect match.

Three Ingredients

Dates, goat cheese, and bacon.

Make-Ahead

Assemble a day early.

Naturally Gluten-Free

Great for guests with allergies.

Elegant

Looks fancy on any holiday spread.

What Is Bacon Wrapped Dates?

Bacon wrapped dates, sometimes called devils on horseback, have been a cocktail party favorite for decades. They became popular in tapas bars in Spain and then in American restaurants.

Medjool dates are large, soft, and very sweet, almost like candy. When baked, the sugars caramelize and pair beautifully with salty bacon.

The filling can be goat cheese, blue cheese, almonds, or chorizo. Goat cheese is the most popular because its tang balances the sweetness.

Ingredients

Dates

Ingredient	Amount	Purpose
Medjool dates, pitted	24	Sweet base
Goat cheese, softened	4 ounces	Creamy filling
Slices regular-cut bacon, halved crosswise	12	Crispy wrap

Finishing

Ingredient	Amount	Purpose
Honey or hot honey	2 tablespoons	Glossy sweetness
Flaky sea salt	Pinch	Contrast
Fresh thyme or chopped chives (optional)	1 teaspoon	Garnish

Kitchen Equipment

• Rimmed baking sheet
• Wire rack (optional)
• Paring knife
• Small spoon or piping bag
• Toothpicks

Ingredient Tips

Use Medjool Dates

They are big and soft enough to stuff.

Regular-Cut Bacon

Thick-cut bacon will not crisp before the dates burn.

Soft Goat Cheese

Room temperature cheese pipes easily.

Pitted Dates

Buy pitted to save time, but still check for pits.

Cheese Swaps

Try blue cheese, cream cheese, or manchego.

How to Make Bacon Wrapped Dates

Step 1: Heat the Oven

Heat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and set a wire rack on top if you have one.

Step 2: Stuff the Dates

Cut a slit along one side of each date. Fill with about 1 teaspoon goat cheese and press closed.

Step 3: Wrap in Bacon

Wrap each date with a half slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick, or place seam side down.

Step 4: Bake

Bake 18 to 22 minutes, flipping once halfway, until the bacon is crisp.

Step 5: Finish

Drizzle with honey, sprinkle with flaky salt and thyme, and cool 5 minutes before serving.

Expert Tips for Perfect Bacon Wrapped Dates

Use a Rack

Bacon fat drips away for crispier bites.

Pipe the Cheese

A zip-top bag with the corner snipped is fast and neat.

Do Not Overstuff

Cheese will melt out.

Soak Toothpicks

Soaking keeps them from burning.

Let Them Rest

Dates are very hot inside.

Delicious Variations

Almond Stuffed

Tuck a smoked almond in with the cheese.

Blue Cheese

Use gorgonzola for a bold flavor.

Prosciutto

Wrap in prosciutto for a thinner, crispier wrap.

Balsamic Glaze

Drizzle with balsamic instead of honey.

Spicy

Add a sliver of jalapeño inside.

What to Serve with Bacon Wrapped Dates

Serve them warm on a slate board or wooden platter with toothpicks.

They are great with a holiday cheese board, stuffed mushrooms, and sparkling wine.

They also pair with a cranberry Christmas cocktail.

Storage Instructions

Storage Method	How Long	Best Practice
Refrigerator (baked)	3 days	Airtight container
Refrigerator (unbaked)	1 day	Covered
Freezer (unbaked)	1 month	Freeze on a sheet, then bag

Reheat in a 375°F oven or air fryer for 5 minutes.

Bake frozen dates without thawing, adding a few minutes.

Can You Make It Ahead?

Stuff and wrap up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate.

Bake right before serving and finish with honey.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Thick Bacon

The dates burn before the bacon crisps.

Overstuffing

Cheese leaks and burns.

No Rack

Bacon stays chewy in its fat.

Forgetting Pits

Always double-check.

Serving Too Hot

The sugars can burn mouths.

Estimated Nutrition

Nutrient	Amount Per Serving
Calories	260
Carbohydrates	38g
Protein	7g
Fat	9g
Saturated Fat	4g
Fiber	3g
Sugar	33g
Sodium	290mg
Cholesterol	20mg

Estimate per 3 dates, based on 8 servings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Bacon wrapped dates prove that the simplest appetizers are often the best. Sweet, salty, creamy, and crispy, they are irresistible.

Make a tray for your next holiday party and watch them vanish.

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