Bacon wrapped dates with goat cheese
Looking for a crowd-pleasing appetizer this holiday season? Try bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with creamy goat cheese! Perfect for holiday parties or Friendsgiving gatherings, these flavorful bites are guaranteed to impress. I recently made them for a friend's "Sip and Dip" party, choosing something unique over the usual queso, artichoke dip, and salsa. To take it up a notch, I paired the stuffed dates with a homemade rosemary red pepper honey for dipping—an absolutely irresistible combo!
Ingredients
20 Medjool dates, pitted
10 slices of thin-cut bacon
4 ounces of goat cheese
Toothpicks
Honey (optional: infuse with rosemary and red chili pepper flakes for extra flavor)
Directions
Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F.
Prep the Dates: Slice each date lengthwise on one side to create an opening, and remove the pit.
Stuff the Dates: Use a small spoon to fill each date with goat cheese, then press the sides together to close.
Wrap in Bacon: Cut the bacon slices in half. Wrap each stuffed date with a half-slice of bacon and secure it with a toothpick.
Drizzle the honey onto the dates so the bacon gets nice and caramelized in the oven.
Bake: Arrange the dates on a baking sheet with raised edges to catch any grease. Bake for 10 minutes then turn the dates onto their sides. Continue baking for 5–8 minutes, flipping as needed, until the bacon is evenly browned.
Cool and Serve: Let the dates rest on a paper towel-lined plate for 5-10 minutes before serving. Drizzle with more honey or serve with a side of honey for dipping.