Crispy Beef Bacon Wrapped Dates (Printable)

Bacon-wrapped Medjool dates filled with creamy goat cheese and baked until crispy. An elegant, easy appetizer for any occasion.

# What You'll Need:

01 - 16 large Medjool dates, pitted

02 - 4 oz goat cheese, softened

03 - 8 slices beef bacon, cut in half

04 - 1 tablespoon honey, for drizzling

05 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

02 - Gently open each pitted date. Fill each date with approximately 1 teaspoon of softened goat cheese, then press closed gently.

03 - Wrap each stuffed date with half a slice of beef bacon, securing with a toothpick if necessary.

04 - Arrange the wrapped dates seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer.

05 - Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, turning halfway through, until the bacon is crispy and deeply browned.

06 - Transfer to a serving plate. Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with chopped parsley if desired. Serve warm.

01 -

These little morsels have this magical quality where the goat cheese gets warm and creamy while the outside turns gloriously crisp, creating the most satisfying textural contrast.
You can prep them hours ahead and just pop them in the oven when guests arrive, giving you those precious extra minutes to actually enjoy your own gathering.

02 -

After burning the bottoms of an entire batch once, I discovered that elevating the dates slightly on a wire rack helps the heat circulate more evenly and prevents the sugar from scorching.
Letting them rest for 3-5 minutes after baking allows the molten cheese center to settle to the perfect temperature and consistency, sparing your guests from the cheese-burn that claimed my impatient tastebuds the first time I made these.

03 -

For the ultimate crispy bacon exterior, pat the bacon slices dry with a paper towel before wrapping to remove excess moisture that can make it soggy rather than crackling.
If your dates are on the smaller side, mix the goat cheese with a touch of heavy cream to make it more spreadable, allowing you to pipe it into even the tiniest dates without frustration.