Easy Stuffed Dates Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese

Stuffed dates are elegant sweet-and-savory bites featuring plump Medjool dates filled with creamy cheese (typically goat cheese or cream cheese), often wrapped in crispy bacon and finished with crunchy nuts or a drizzle of honey, creating the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer that delivers an addictive combination of textures and flavors. This easy stuffed dates recipe transforms simple ingredients into sophisticated party food in just 30 minutes, making them perfect for holiday gatherings, cocktail parties, cheese boards, or anytime you want an impressive appetizer that looks and tastes gourmet but requires minimal effort. Whether you’re serving them at Christmas dinner, bringing them to a potluck, or just want an elegant snack, these bacon wrapped stuffed dates deliver that irresistible sweet-salty-creamy combination that keeps everyone reaching for more.

What makes this cream cheese stuffed dates recipe so irresistible is the perfect balance of flavors and textures—chewy-sweet dates, tangy creamy cheese, crispy salty bacon, and crunchy nuts all in one elegant bite. Unlike heavy, complicated appetizers, these come together quickly with just a handful of ingredients, yet they taste like something from an upscale restaurant. The best part? They’re naturally gluten-free, can be customized endless ways with different cheeses and toppings, and always disappear within minutes at any gathering.

This goat cheese stuffed dates recipe works beautifully for countless occasions—holiday parties, Christmas appetizers, New Year’s Eve celebrations, bridal showers, wine and cheese nights, dinner party starters, or elegant snacking anytime. They’re naturally gluten-free, impressive yet easy, can be prepped ahead, and appeal to virtually everyone who loves the sweet-savory combination. Best of all, these stuffed dates prove that simple ingredients can create extraordinary results when combined thoughtfully!

History / Background

Stuffed dates have ancient roots in Middle Eastern cuisine, where dates have been a dietary staple for thousands of years, but the modern bacon-wrapped, cheese-stuffed version represents a delicious fusion of Middle Eastern ingredients with European and American flavors. To understand these popular appetizers, we need to explore both the long history of dates in cooking and how this particular preparation became a contemporary entertaining favorite.

Dates themselves have been cultivated in the Middle East and North Africa for over 7,000 years, making them one of humanity’s oldest cultivated fruits. Ancient civilizations prized dates for their natural sweetness, long shelf life, and nutritional density. In traditional Middle Eastern and North African cuisines, dates were often stuffed with nuts, marzipan, or other dried fruits as celebratory sweets, particularly during Ramadan and special occasions.

The concept of combining dates with cheese has Middle Eastern precedents—Persian cuisine, for instance, features dates served alongside fresh cheese. However, the specific preparation of stuffing dates with soft cheese and wrapping them in bacon is a distinctly Western innovation that emerged much later.

The modern bacon-wrapped stuffed date gained popularity in American restaurants in the 1990s-2000s as chefs began exploring sweet-savory flavor combinations and fusion cuisine. The pairing proved genius: dates’ natural sweetness complemented bacon’s smokiness perfectly, while creamy cheese added luxurious texture and tanginess that balanced both elements. The dish appeared on upscale restaurant menus, often as part of tapas or small plates offerings.

The recipe exploded in popularity in the 2010s as food bloggers discovered how easy and impressive these were to make at home. Pinterest became flooded with variations—some wrapped in bacon, others not; fillings ranging from goat cheese to blue cheese to almonds. The appetizer became a holiday entertaining staple, particularly popular at Christmas parties, where the combination of ease, elegance, and crowd-pleasing flavor made them ideal.

Today, stuffed dates represent the best of modern fusion cooking—honoring ancient ingredients while creating something completely contemporary that bridges cultures and flavor profiles in one irresistible bite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These stuffed dates are about to become your go-to impressive appetizer for every gathering. This easy stuffed dates recipe delivers sophisticated, restaurant-quality flavor using just five simple ingredients and minimal hands-on time. Whether you’re hosting the holidays, bringing an appetizer to share, or want an elegant snack for wine night, you’ll appreciate how these bacon wrapped stuffed dates create maximum impact with minimal effort.

Here’s why this recipe deserves a permanent spot in your entertaining repertoire:

• Ready in 30 Minutes – Quick prep, quick cooking, no stress
• Only 5 Ingredients – Simple shopping list, big flavor
• Naturally Gluten-Free – Safe for most dietary restrictions
• Impressive Presentation – Looks gourmet and elegant
• Sweet and Savory – Addictive flavor combination
• Crowd-Pleasing – Appeals to virtually everyone
• Make-Ahead Friendly – Prep hours or days before serving
• Perfect for Holidays – Festive and special enough for celebrations
• Budget-Friendly – Affordable ingredients, feeds a crowd
• Customizable – Endless flavor variations possible
• No-Fail Recipe – Difficult to mess up
• Always Disappears – Guaranteed empty platter

Ingredient Notes

Understanding your ingredients helps you make the best stuffed dates possible. Let’s break down each component:

Medjool Dates – The star ingredient providing natural sweetness and chewy texture. Use 16-20 large Medjool dates, pitted. Medjool dates are the variety you want—they’re large, soft, sweet, and perfect for stuffing. Look for plump, moist dates without crystallized sugar on the exterior. If dates are labeled “pitted,” check each one anyway as pits occasionally remain. Deglet Noor dates are smaller and drier—they’ll work but aren’t ideal.

Goat Cheese – Provides tangy, creamy filling. Use 4 oz (about ½ cup) soft goat cheese. Goat cheese’s tang balances dates’ sweetness perfectly. Look for fresh, soft goat cheese (chèvre), not aged varieties. Cream cheese is the most popular substitute—it’s milder and sweeter. Blue cheese creates bold, sophisticated flavor. Mascarpone makes it extra luxurious.

Bacon – Adds smoky, salty, crispy element. Use 8-10 strips regular-cut bacon (not thick-cut). Regular bacon wraps and crisps better than thick-cut. Use standard pork bacon for traditional flavor, or turkey bacon for lighter option. For vegetarian version, omit bacon entirely—stuffed dates are still delicious without it.

Nuts – Provide crunchy contrast. Use ⅓ cup toasted chopped nuts—almonds, pecans, or walnuts all work beautifully. Almonds are traditional and add subtle nuttiness; pecans bring buttery richness; walnuts offer earthy flavor. Pistachios are also excellent. Toast nuts before chopping for maximum flavor.

Honey or Balsamic Glaze – Optional finishing touch. Drizzle with honey for extra sweetness or balsamic glaze for sophisticated tang. This step is optional but highly recommended—it adds beautiful presentation and flavor polish.

Optional additions – Fresh thyme or rosemary, smoked paprika, or cayenne pepper for extra flavor complexity.

Equipment Needed

You’ll need these simple tools to make perfect stuffed dates:

• Baking Sheet – For baking dates
• Parchment Paper or Aluminum Foil – Lines pan to prevent sticking
• Sharp Knife – For cutting bacon and slicing dates open
• Small Spoon or Butter Knife – For stuffing cheese into dates
• Toothpicks – For securing bacon (if using)
• Kitchen Scissors – Optional, for cutting bacon
• Small Skillet – If toasting nuts

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Tips & Variations

Transform your stuffed dates to match any preference with these creative variations:

Blue Cheese Stuffed Dates: Use crumbled blue cheese instead of goat cheese for bold, sophisticated flavor. Perfect for adventurous palates.

Cream Cheese Stuffed Dates: Substitute cream cheese for milder, sweeter flavor that appeals to everyone, especially kids.

Prosciutto Wrapped Dates: Use thin prosciutto slices instead of bacon for Italian-inspired elegance (no baking needed—serve at room temperature).

Almond Butter Stuffed Dates: Fill with almond butter or peanut butter for nut-free-friendly (ironic but true!) protein-packed version.

Chorizo Stuffed Dates: Add small pieces of cooked Spanish chorizo along with cheese for spicy twist.

Brie Stuffed Dates: Use small pieces of brie for ultra-creamy, mild filling.

Vegetarian Stuffed Dates: Skip bacon, stuff with goat cheese and toasted nuts, drizzle with balsamic reduction.

Spicy Stuffed Dates: Add pinch of cayenne pepper to cheese or sprinkle with red pepper flakes before baking.

Pro Chef Tips

Elevate your stuffed dates from good to absolutely perfect with these professional techniques:

Choose Quality Medjool Dates: Date quality matters enormously. Look for plump, moist, soft Medjool dates without crystallized sugar on the surface (which indicates they’re old). Fresh, high-quality dates are naturally soft and sweet. Dried-out dates will be tough and less flavorful. The Middle Eastern or international section often has better quality than regular produce.

Bring Cheese to Room Temperature: Cold cheese is difficult to stuff into dates and doesn’t spread easily. Let goat cheese or cream cheese sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before using. Room-temperature cheese is softer, easier to work with, and spreads more smoothly into date cavities.

Don’t Overstuff: Less is more when stuffing dates. Use about 1-2 teaspoons cheese per date—enough to fill the cavity but not so much that it squeezes out during baking. Overstuffed dates look messy and the cheese oozes everywhere, while properly stuffed dates look elegant.

Use Regular-Cut Bacon: Regular-cut bacon wraps around dates more easily and crisps better than thick-cut. Thick-cut stays chewy and doesn’t conform to date shape as well. If you only have thick-cut, you may need to partially cook it before wrapping.

Secure with Toothpicks Properly: Pierce the toothpick through the center of the date, catching the bacon overlap. This holds everything together during baking and makes them easy to pick up and eat.

Use a Wire Rack for Crispiest Bacon: For maximum crispiness, place dates on a wire rack set over the baking sheet. This allows heat circulation all around, creating evenly crispy bacon. Without a rack, bacon touching the pan may stay slightly soft.

Watch Closely at the End: Bacon can go from perfect to burnt quickly. Start checking at 12 minutes, and if needed, broil for just 1-2 minutes at the end for extra crispiness—but watch constantly.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Sidestep these frequent pitfalls for perfect stuffed dates every time:

Using Old, Dried-Out Dates: Old dates are hard, tough, and not sweet. Always use fresh, soft, plump Medjool dates. Squeeze one before buying—it should feel soft and yielding, not hard.

Overstuffing with Cheese: Too much cheese oozes out during baking, creating a mess. Use just 1-2 teaspoons per date—enough to fill but not overflow.

Not Securing Bacon Properly: Bacon that’s not secured with toothpicks unravels during baking. Always use toothpicks, and pierce through the bacon overlap to hold it in place.

Using Thick-Cut Bacon: Thick-cut bacon doesn’t wrap easily around dates and takes longer to crisp. Regular-cut bacon is ideal for this recipe.

Skipping the Toothpicks Warning: Always remind guests to remove toothpicks before eating! Consider mentioning it verbally and with a small sign if serving buffet-style.

Not Letting Them Cool: Dates straight from the oven are molten hot inside. Let them cool 2-3 minutes before serving to prevent burned mouths.

Storage & Meal Prep

Here’s how to handle storage and prep for stuffed dates:

Room Temperature: Don’t leave cooked stuffed dates at room temperature more than 2 hours. They contain cheese and bacon and must be refrigerated for food safety.

Refrigerator Storage (Cooked): Store cooked and cooled stuffed dates in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The bacon will soften during storage.

Refrigerator Storage (Uncooked): Assembled, uncooked stuffed dates can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking. This is perfect for party prep—stuff dates the day before, then bake when guests arrive.

Reheating: Reheat refrigerated stuffed dates in a 350°F oven for 8-10 minutes to warm through and crisp bacon slightly. Don’t microwave—it makes bacon rubbery.

Serving Temperature: Stuffed dates are best served warm, but room temperature is also fine if you’re making the bacon-free version.

Make-Ahead & Freezer Notes

Plan ahead with these time-saving strategies for stuffed dates:

Best Make-Ahead Method (24 Hours Before): Assemble stuffed dates completely (stuff with cheese, add nuts, wrap with bacon, insert toothpicks), place on baking sheet, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Bake straight from refrigerator when ready, adding 2-3 extra minutes to account for starting temperature.

Day-Before Prep: For ultimate party ease, do all the prep work—pit dates, soften and portion cheese, toast and chop nuts, cut bacon—the day before. Assemble and bake day-of for best texture.

Freezing (Not Ideal): Stuffed dates don’t freeze particularly well. The dates become mushy and bacon doesn’t crisp properly after freezing. If you must freeze, freeze only the stuffed dates without bacon, wrapped tightly, for up to 1 month. Thaw, add bacon, and bake fresh.

Component Prep: Dates can be pitted and stored in airtight container for several days. Nuts can be toasted and chopped days ahead.

Party Timeline: For stress-free entertaining:

• 1 day before: Assemble completely, refrigerate
• 1 hour before guests: Preheat oven
• 20 minutes before guests: Start baking
• When guests arrive: Serve warm

Serving Suggestions

Create memorable gatherings and complete the stuffed dates experience with these serving ideas:

As Elegant Appetizer:

• On a beautiful serving platter lined with fresh herbs
• Garnished with pomegranate seeds and fresh thyme
• Drizzled with honey or balsamic reduction
• Arranged on cheese board with other appetizers

Complete Appetizer Spread:

• Stuffed dates (sweet and savory)
• Cheese and crackers
• Cured meats and prosciutto
• Olives and nuts
• Fresh and dried fruit
• Crudités with hummus

Holiday Party Menu:

• Stuffed dates (passed appetizer)
• Cheese board
• Spinach artichoke dip
• Shrimp cocktail
• Holiday cookies

Wine and Cheese Night:

• Stuffed dates
• Assorted cheeses
• Fresh bread and crackers
• Fruit and nuts
• Chocolate

Beverage Pairings: Stuffed dates pair wonderfully with red wine (Pinot Noir, Tempranillo), sweet wines (Port, Sauternes), sparkling wine (Prosecco, Champagne), cocktails (Old Fashioned, Manhattan), or non-alcoholic options like sparkling apple cider.

FAQs Section

Q: Can I make these without bacon?
A: Absolutely! Bacon-free stuffed dates are still delicious. Simply stuff dates with cheese and nuts, then bake for 8-10 minutes just to warm through. They’re naturally vegetarian this way.

Q: What kind of dates should I use?
A: Medjool dates are essential—they’re large, soft, sweet, and perfect for stuffing. Deglet Noor dates are smaller and drier and don’t work as well. Look for fresh, plump Medjool dates in the produce section or international aisle.

Q: Can I make these ahead of time?
A: Yes! Assemble completely up to 24 hours ahead, cover, and refrigerate. Bake when ready to serve, adding 2-3 extra minutes since they’re starting cold.

Q: How do I keep bacon crispy?
A: Use regular-cut (not thick-cut) bacon, and bake on a wire rack set over a baking sheet if possible. This allows heat circulation all around. You can also broil for 1-2 minutes at the end.

Q: What cheese works best?
A: Goat cheese is traditional and provides perfect tangy contrast to sweet dates. Cream cheese is milder and appeals to more people. Blue cheese creates bold flavor. All work beautifully!

Q: Can I use prosciutto instead of bacon?
A: Yes! Wrap with thin prosciutto slices—no baking needed. Prosciutto-wrapped dates can be served at room temperature for elegant, no-cook appetizer.

Q: Are these gluten-free?
A: Yes! Stuffed dates are naturally gluten-free since they contain no wheat, grains, or flour. Just verify your bacon doesn’t contain gluten-containing additives (most don’t).

Q: Why are my dates leaking cheese?
A: Usually from overstuffing. Use only 1-2 teaspoons cheese per date—just enough to fill the cavity without overflow. Less is more!

Conclusion

There you have it—everything you need to create absolutely perfect, restaurant-quality stuffed dates that will make you the star of every gathering! This easy stuffed dates recipe proves that elegant entertaining doesn’t require complicated techniques or exotic ingredients. The combination of sweet chewy dates, tangy creamy cheese, crispy salty bacon, and crunchy nuts creates an appetizer that’s impossible to resist—always the first thing to disappear at any party.

Remember the keys to success: choose fresh, plump Medjool dates, don’t overstuff with cheese, use regular-cut bacon, secure with toothpicks, and watch closely during the final minutes of baking. Master these fundamentals and you’ll create bacon wrapped stuffed dates that rival any upscale restaurant.

The beauty of this goat cheese stuffed dates recipe lies in its incredible versatility and make-ahead convenience. Serve them at holiday parties, wine and cheese nights, elegant dinners, or casual gatherings, customize with different cheeses and nuts, prep completely the day before—these cream cheese stuffed dates adapt beautifully while always delivering sophisticated flavor that impresses every guest.

Ready to add the ultimate sweet-savory appetizer to your entertaining repertoire? Pin this recipe to your favorite Pinterest board so you’ll always have it ready for party time! Make these stuffed dates this weekend and let me know in the comments how they turned out. What cheese and nut combination did you use? I absolutely love hearing about your cooking adventures and seeing your delicious creations!

Don’t forget to snap a photo of your gorgeous stuffed dates and share it on social media. Tag me so I can see your masterpiece and celebrate with you! Here’s to easy elegance, crowd-pleasing flavors, and recipes that make entertaining effortless!