Cheese Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Date Appetizers

Date appetizers are always a party fave. These cheese stuffed dates with bacon are salty and sweet and everyone asks for the recipe!

One of the easiest ways to start a party is to serve these date appetizers.

I make these a lot and because they are such an easy appetizer I’ve never felt the need to write up the recipe.

But now I must because my friend asked me for it!

These super simple stuffed dates are perfect for any occasion.

Imagine plump sweet dates combined with salty bacon, stuffed with blue cheese or creamy goat cheese or mascarpone or Manchego cheese or Parmigiano Reggiano…

Well, I could keep going with all the possibilities!

These bacon wrapped dates are quite common in our house as I almost always have the ingredients on hand.

A favorite appetizer of mine, stuffed dates can also be made ahead and served at room temperature, making them a great finger food.

Plus there isn’t a better appetizer to satisfy those who are gluten free!

What are the best kind of dates to use in this date appetizer?

There are over 1200 varieties of dates and they are categorized by soft, semi dry and dry.

A plump and soft sweet date is recommended for this appetizer and they are easily found at the grocery stores in the produce section.

Though dates are dried, they are not dehydrated, which makes them soft and sticky and a great dried fruit to keep in the pantry.

Large sweet Medjool dates are my preference because they are easy to stuff and easy to find!

Dates are full of fiber – 3.2 grams from just two dates. But remember dates are also full of sugar, so watch your intake even though they are thought to be low on the glycemic index.

How do you pit a date?

You may choose to pit your own dates but I buy pitted dates just to keep things simple.

Begin this appetizer with a pitted date. If yours have pits, it is very easy to pit them yourself using a small paring knife. Just make a lengthwise slit in the middle of the date and extract the long oval-ish little pit.

Stuff all of the dates at one time with your choice of cheese. Figure about 6 ounces of soft creamy cheese to about 24 dates.

I love the honey goat cheese stuffed into the center of the dates. So good! But blue cheese also gives these a great flavor, too.

Once they are stuffed, it is time to wrap them up.

Buy thin bacon slices and cut them in half. Using a half slice of bacon, wrap the dates and place bacon seam side down on a parchment paper lined, rimmed baking sheet.

The cheese side should be facing up!

No need for toothpicks if the bacon is tucked securely underneath.

Bake at 400 for about 25 minutes, being careful to remove them from the oven before they are not quite fully crisp.

Otherwise you may end up with burned bottoms!

You could stop here but I drizzled this little bite with hot honey before serving, however a few grinds of fresh black pepper would taste great also.

A drizzle of maple syrup would be awesome, but then be sure to use the black pepper!

How many bacon wrapped dates with goats cheese appetizers should I make per person?

Figure about 2 -3 of these make ahead appetizers per person. They are filling.

If you have any leftover they can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge and eaten as a sort of healthy snack!

Want to make these ahead and bake them right before guest arrive? No worries there. And like I said, they can also be served at room temperature.

Yes, these are the perfect party appetizer and are always a huge hit. Place a few on a charcuterie serving platter and see what disappears first!

Figure out your favorite combinations when making these stuffed dates. Stuffing an almond inside or even peanut butter, is also a great way to make this tasty appetizer.

So no joke! This simple date appetizer is the key to party success.

And everyone will ask for the recipe!

Need a Few More?

Easy Chicken Dinner with Dates and Lemon

Bacon, Bourbon and Mushroom Dip

Bacon Crisps

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