These bacon goat cheese dates are the perfect combination of sweet and savory! Plus they are the easiest appetizer to throw together! The creamy goat cheese, the sweet plump dates, and the salty bacon. I mean it’s just the best combination that I guarantee almost everyone will love! Except for people like my husband who refuses to eat dates and I still can’t figure out why! To each their own. But for my other people, make these! I have a really good feeling you will love them!
What you need to make bacon goat cheese dates + substitutions:
- Dates- Medjool dates are definitely my go-to! They’re the most plump and juicy and the biggest. They’re so good. I’ve found good prices on dates at Costco and Trader Joe’s. But I will tell you, the best dates I’ve ever had are hands down Joolie’s dates. They’re so fresh and once you have those the others seem dry haha! But any dates truly will do! Also, buying dates with pits usually means they stay fresher inside and don’t dry out so they taste better.
- Goat cheese- For this recipe, you want just plain goat cheese. No herbs or anything added. The simple and creamy goat cheese just gives the perfect addition to these bacon goat cheese dates.
- Bacon- Thin sliced bacon works best here! It wraps around the dates easier and just gives the perfect ratio of bacon to date. We love getting our bacon from Whole Foods when we can, it’s so good!
- Rosemary- I used the rosemary for garnish because it’s pretty and festive and feels special! Feel free to use thyme as well just to add a little green and make it look pretty!
If you love this, you may also love:
Bacon Goat Cheese Dates
These bacon goat cheese dates are the perfect combination of sweet and savory! Plus they are the easiest appetizer to throw together! The creamy goat cheese, the sweet plump dates, and the salty bacon. I mean it's just the best combination that I guarantee almost everyone will love! Except for people like my husband who refuses to eat dates and I still can't figure out why! To each their own. But for my other people, make these! I have a really good feeling you will love them!
Ingredients
- 20 medjool dates pits removed
- 10 slices of bacon thin-sliced
- 4 oz goat cheese
- fresh rosemary for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400F degrees.
- If your dates have pits, go ahead and take each pit out without breaking the date in half. You can slice a little line in the side and remove the pit.
- Once all the pits are removed, stuff each date with goat cheese. About 1-2 tsp each or as much as you can fit it. Squeeze the date shut a bit so it stays in.
- Cut the bacon slices in half. Wrap each date with a slice of bacon. Place seam side down on a lined (I used parchment paper) baking sheet. You can place a toothpick through to make sure they don't pop open.
- Bake in the oven for 20-30 minutes until the bacon is starting to brown and crisp. If you want your bacon crispy on each side, you can flip the dates halfway through!
- Remove from the oven, serve on a plate, and garnish with fresh rosemary! Enjoy warm or room temperature!
Notes
For Making Ahead: You can prep and wrap the dates and keep them in the fridge a day ahead baking. Then when it’s time, pull them out and bake per the above directions!
For Storing: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-2 days, but I doubt they’ll last!
Pingback: Super Bowl Recipes Roundup - Daddio's Kitchen