Bacon-Wrapped Dates
Medjool dates stuffed with goat cheese and an almond, wrapped in bacon and roasted until the edges crackle and the centers go completely molten.
- Course
- Appetizers
- Cuisine
- American
- Prep Time
- 20 min
- Cook Time
- 40 min
- Total Time
- 1 hr
The Story Behind This Recipe
Some dishes I chase down, and some just show up. Bacon-Wrapped Dates showed up on an ordinary evening and then refused to leave the rotation.
What keeps it in the rotation is how forgiving it is. Swap the herbs, stretch it to feed one more person, cook it a shade longer than you meant to — it holds up.
Do not crowd the pan. I say that in half the recipes on this site because it is the mistake I still make when I am hungry and impatient.
Variation Ideas
- Serve it warm in a small skillet straight from the oven.
- Add pickled chiles or hot honey for a sweet-heat finish.
- Make the base a day ahead and bake it just before guests arrive.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Goat cheese
- Feta, or cream cheese for a milder result
- Bacon
- Pancetta, or smoked paprika plus olive oil to skip the pork
- Maple syrup
- Honey, or brown sugar dissolved in a splash of water
- Nuts
- Toasted pepitas or sunflower seeds for a nut-free version
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will this last?
Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
What is the best way to reheat it?
Warm it gently — covered at 300°F or over low heat on the stove with a splash of liquid — until just heated through. Fast, high heat is what dries leftovers out.
Can I make it ahead?
Yes. Prep and refrigerate the components up to a day ahead, then combine and finish just before serving so nothing loses its texture.
It tastes flat — what should I do?
Salt and acid, in that order. A pinch more salt then a squeeze of lemon or splash of vinegar will usually sharpen everything back into focus.
Tools For This Recipe
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What to Serve With Bacon-Wrapped Dates
Recipe Card
Bacon-Wrapped Dates
By Marguerite Hale
- Course
- Appetizers
- Cuisine
- American
- Prep Time
- 20 min
- Cook Time
- 40 min
- Total Time
- 1 hr
Ingredients
- 24 Medjool dates, pitted
- 4 oz soft goat cheese
- 24 whole almonds
- 12 slices thin-cut bacon, halved
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- Black pepper
Instructions
- 1
Heat the oven to 400F and set a wire rack inside a foil-lined sheet pan so the bacon fat drains away.
- 2
Slit each date along one side, tuck in a small pinch of goat cheese and one almond, and press it closed.
- 3
Wrap each date in a half slice of bacon and secure it with a toothpick pushed all the way through.
- 4
Arrange them seam side down on the rack, grind pepper over the top, and roast for twenty minutes.
- 5
Brush them with maple syrup, roast five minutes more until the bacon crisps, and let them cool briefly before serving.
Nutrition
Estimated per serving (8 servings per recipe).
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