Name: Bacon-Wrapped Dates with Herbed Goat Cheese
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 8 large Medjool dates; 4 slices bacon; 3 tablespoons goat cheese (, softened, room temp); 2 teaspoons chopped fresh tarragon; 1/4 rounded teaspoon lemon pepper; 1/2 clove garlic (minced fine)

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Celebrate the holidays with an indulgent yet super easy appetizer like Bacon-Wrapped Dates with Herbed Goat Cheese.

Just six ingredients and 10 minutes in the oven delivers a uniquely sweet, savory, smoky flavor bomb.

Bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with herbed goat cheese on a grey plate with a red striped towel around it. — Bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with herbed goat cheese.

Stuffing the dates before they get their bacon jacket gives it just the added complexity we think dates and bacon needs. We blend fresh tarragon into tangy chevre to take bacon-wrapped dates to a whole new level.

Simple, elegant, and satisfying, stuffed dates wrapped in bacon are a stand out choice for holiday parties.

Bacon and clove of garlic on a cutting board with goat cheese, dates, and fresh tarragon beside the board. — Ingredients for bacon-wrapped dates with goat cheese.

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Ingredient Breakdown

Medjool dates are our go-to for stuffing and wrapping with bacon as they are slightly sweeter and softer than Deglet Noor dates. Their soft texture makes them easy to pit and quick to bake in this application.
Medjool dates are fresh fruit so you’ll most often find them in the produce section of the store.
Chevre (pronounced “SHEV-ruh”) is a soft cheese made from goat milk with an earthy, tangy flavor similar to cream cheese but slightly more tart.
Goat cheese is drier and less creamy at room temperature making it easier to mix but softens to a beautifully creamy texture when warmed.
Fresh tarragon has subtle anise or licorice flavor to it that pairs well without overpowering. I don’t recommend using dried tarragon which tends to have a musty flavor to it. If you can’t find fresh tarragon, fresh chervil or fennel fronds are suitable, and fresh parsley will do in a pinch!
Lemon pepper and fresh garlic are the only seasonings you’ll need to balance the richness of the dates, bacon, and cheese combo.
Thick cut Applewood-smoked bacon wraps Medjool dates with the perfect combination of salty-smoky flavor, but don’t hesitate to try a different type. I don’t recommend a maple type flavored bacon for this date appetizer because more sweet is not needed.

TIP: Thinner bacon cooks faster; Thicker bacon takes a little longer.

Step by step guide to bacon wrapped dates appetizer.

Bacon-Wrapped Dates Step by Step

Remove pits from dates.
Mix cheese, garlic, and herbs.
Stuff dates with cheese mixture.
Wrap dates with bacon.
Bake at 500°F for 10 minutes.

Recipe Variations

Try different bacon types—with the rise of bacon fan culture you’ll find products boasting of dry rubs and various woods for truly unique flavors. NOTE: For a hearty flavor, we also recommend Black Forest Bacon from Wellshire Farms for this appetizer and use their uncured corned beef in Reuben Sandwiches too.
Halve the dates and set them like boats for the cheese filling (double the cheese filling). Then wrap the bacon around the date boats, being careful to keep the seam on the bottom of the date so it can keep the cheese upright. Securing a toothpick on the bottom can help too. NOTE: This approach will take fewer dates and less bacon but will require more cheese.

Bacon wrapped around dates filled with goat cheese on a plate with parsley leaves scattered around it.

Recipe Tips

Thick or thin, the bacon rules the baking time.
Plan a serving size of 2 dates per person for an appetizer, as they are quite rich.
Dates soften as they cook, so it is important to get the bacon crispy for the perfect texture balance.
Prep up to 2 days in advance; remove stuffed and wrapped dates from the refrigerator 20 minutes before baking.
Reheat leftover bacon-wrapped dates under the broiler for 2 minutes or chop up and mix into savory homemade bread.

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