Bacon-Wrapped Dates

The combination of smoky bacon, caramel-like Medjool dates, and goat cheese make for an appetizer that’s oh-so-refined yet easy to prepare!

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It’s Friday evening and you’ve just arrived at your friend’s house. The afternoon was hectic and you forgot to eat lunch, so you make a beeline for the food spread. There’s an assortment of finger foods — little morsels of something or other atop sliced cucumber rounds, mini quiches, a platter of hummus, and a bouquet of purple carrots.

Suddenly, you’re stopped dead in your tracks. What could it be? It… resembles cockroaches? You turn to your friend, the host, and ask what you’re looking at.

“They’re bacon-wrapped dates and they’re stuffed with goat cheese. To die for!”

You plop one into your mouth, and the rest is history.

Prosciutto-wrapped melon, step aside. Bacon-wrapped dates are a next-level finger food that combines a deeply smoky flavor with the sweet caramel-like taste of dates. The texture is remarkable and the goat cheese is a masterful touch. As an adult, these are the things I now notice at a party — the finger foods that knocked my socks off. At odd hours, I jot down little notes in a small legal pad that I keep beside my bed. In a frantic, delirious, 3 a.m. chicken scratch, I write, “Ask Colleen for that recipe!”

Well, this recipe for bacon-wrapped dates is the kind you’ll want to circulate amongst your friend group, because that’s what friends do. Friends exchange recipes for fabulous hors d’oeuvres that will make anyone seem like an extremely impressive culinary wizard.

Are Bacon-Wrapped Dates Healthy?

Since this recipe involves just four ingredients, I recommend using the best quality ingredients you can source. Dates provide 7g of fiber per 3.5-ounce serving, making them a good source of dietary fiber, but it’s important to note that they contain more than 50% natural sugar by weight, or about 65g of sugar per 100g serving. Taking that into consideration, along with the high fat and sodium content in bacon, this dish is best enjoyed in moderation. It is possible to use plant-based bacon for a vegetarian option or turkey bacon for a lower-fat alternative.

Ingredient Highlight: Medjool Dates

Medjool dates, commonly called the “king of dates,” are known for their large size, rich flavor, and soft, chewy texture. Originally from North Africa, Medjool dates have been grown for thousands of years and were considered a crucial crop in ancient civilizations, and especially now in the Arabian Peninsula.

These days, they’re primarily cultivated in places with particularly dry and hot climates. In the U.S. they’re grown in Southern California and Arizona. Tunisia, Algeria, and the United Arab Emirates are among the world’s top producers and exporters of these dates. Medjool dates are used in a variety of dishes, including desserts and more savory recipes, and are considered one of the world’s oldest cultivated fruits.

FAQs & Tips

How Do I Store Leftovers?

Store your bacon-wrapped dates in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 5 days. Reheat in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 6–10 minutes until warm.

Can I Use A Different Kind Of Cheese?

Yes! If you aren’t a fan of goat cheese, no problem! You can use whichever cheese you prefer. I’d suggest a tangier kind, like feta or Gorgonzola.

How Do I Prevent Dates From Burning Before The Bacon Is Fully Cooked?

It’s important that you don’t skip the step that involves pre-cooking the bacon prior to wrapping the dates, otherwise the bacon won’t have enough time to cook and the dates and cheese will inevitably burn.

Serving Suggestions

You can create a fully fleshed-out small-bites menu by adding a few colorful dishes that will complement these bacon-wrapped dates. For example, serve this pecan-crusted Cream Cheese Ball, these Almond Flour Crackers, this Whipped Feta Dip, and this Creamy Baba Ghanoush recipe along with fresh Pita Bread. Now that is a party!