Ingredients
Scale
- 24 Medjool dates, pitted
- 4 ounces goat cheese (chèvre), softened to room temperature
- 12 strips regular-cut bacon, each cut in half
- Optional: 24 whole roasted almonds
- Optional: honey or balsamic glaze for drizzling
- 24 wooden toothpicks, soaked in water for 10 minutes
Instructions
- Preheat Oven – Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup. For crispier bacon, place a wire cooling rack on the baking sheet.
- Prep the Dates – If your dates aren’t already pitted, make a lengthwise slit in each date and remove the pit. Be careful to keep the date mostly intact—you’re creating a pocket for stuffing, not splitting it completely in half.
- Stuff with Cheese – Using a small spoon or your fingers, stuff about 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of softened goat cheese into each date cavity. Press gently to close the date around the cheese. If using almonds, tuck one into each date along with the cheese.
- Wrap with Bacon – Take one half-strip of bacon and wrap it around the stuffed date, covering as much surface as possible. The bacon should wrap around once, with ends meeting or slightly overlapping. Secure with a soaked wooden toothpick, pushing it all the way through to hold everything together.
- Arrange on Pan – Place the bacon-wrapped dates seam-side down on your prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart. This allows air circulation for even crisping.
- Bake – Bake for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking (around 8-9 minutes). The dates are done when the bacon is crispy and golden brown on all sides. Watch carefully during the last few minutes to prevent burning.
- Drain and Rest – Remove from oven and let rest on the pan for 2-3 minutes. This allows the bacon to crisp up even more as it cools slightly. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate if needed to absorb excess grease.
- Serve Warm – Transfer to a serving platter while still warm. Drizzle with honey or balsamic glaze if desired. Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Make-Ahead: Assemble completely up to 24 hours ahead, cover, and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature for 15 minutes before baking.
- Bacon Crispness: For extra-crispy bacon, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end of cooking, watching very carefully.
- Cheese Options: Substitute cream cheese, blue cheese, feta, or boursin for different flavor profiles.
- Nut-Free: Simply omit the almond if making for guests with nut allergies.
- Securing Bacon: If bacon won’t stay wrapped, use two toothpicks or a small piece of kitchen twine.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 pieces
- Calories: 215
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 340mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 25mg