If you love a bite-sized appetizer that bursts with flavors of sweet, salty, smoky, and a tangy creamy surprise, then the Bacon-Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Goat Cheese and Spiced Brown Sugar Recipe is an absolute must-try. These delectable finger foods bring together irresistibly tender Medjool dates, silky goat cheese, crunchy, smoky bacon, and a spice-kissed brown sugar coating that creates a perfect balance of textures and tastes. Trust me, once you try these little delights, they will become a star at your parties, an easy weeknight treat, or even a luxurious nibble with your favorite drink.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simple yet thoughtful ingredients, each playing a vital role in building the flavors you’ll crave. These essentials come together without fuss, making this appetizer both approachable and sophisticated.
- Pitted Medjool Dates: Their natural sweetness and chewy texture create the perfect base for stuffing.
- Soft Goat Cheese: Adds a tangy creaminess that balances the sweetness of the dates perfectly.
- Thick-Cut Hickory Smoked Bacon: Provides a smoky, crunchy embrace around each stuffed date.
- Light Brown Sugar (packed): Contributes sweetness and creates a caramelized crust when baked.
- Ancho Chili Powder: Adds subtle smoky heat that awakens the palate.
- Smoked Paprika: Enhances smokiness with a sweet pepper undertone.
- Garlic Powder: Brings gentle savory depth without overpowering.
- Onion Powder: Complements the garlic to round out the spice blend.
- Hot Honey (optional): Drizzled at the end, it adds a luscious sweet heat layer for those who love a little kick.
How to Make Bacon-Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Goat Cheese and Spiced Brown Sugar Recipe
Step 1: Preparing Your Oven and Bacon
Start by preheating your oven to 375 degrees F to get the perfect temperature for crisping your bacon just right. Next, take your thick-cut bacon and slice each strip into thirds lengthwise. This sizing allows each piece to wrap snugly around a single date without overwhelming it.
Step 2: Mixing the Spiced Brown Sugar Coating
In a small shallow bowl, combine your light brown sugar with the ancho chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir them together until the spices are evenly distributed within the sugar. This spice blend is what gives the coating its magical character, balancing sweetness with a gentle smoky warmth.
Step 3: Preparing the Dates for Stuffing
Take each pitted Medjool date and gently pry it open along its natural seam where the pit was removed. This requires a bit of patience and a delicate touch so the date stays mostly intact. Think of it like opening a tiny treasure chest for the creamy goat cheese to nestle into.
Step 4: Stuffing the Dates with Goat Cheese
Using a small spoon, add about half a teaspoon of goat cheese into the cavity of each date. The creamy texture and tanginess will contrast beautifully against the date’s honeyed sweetness. Carefully press the date sides back together around the cheese but leave enough visible to tempt anyone’s eyes.
Step 5: Wrapping Dates with Bacon
Take one slice of the sliced bacon and wrap it snugly around each goat cheese-stuffed date. Securing the bacon with a toothpick not only keeps everything in place but ensures even cooking for a perfectly crisp finish. This is where all the delicious flavors start to harmonize.
Step 6: Coating in the Brown Sugar Spice Mix
Roll each wrapped date generously in the spiced brown sugar blend until fully coated. This step is crucial for that addictive sweet crunch on the outside that complements the tender and gooey inside.
Step 7: Baking the Dates
Arrange the bacon-wrapped dates on a baking sheet and space them about one inch apart to allow the bacon to crisp evenly. Bake in your preheated oven for approximately 18 minutes or until the bacon starts to turn crispy and caramelized, enveloping all those delicious layers.
Step 8: Finishing Touches
Once baked, serve the dates warm, allowing the flavors to shine in their full glory. For an extra special kick, drizzle with hot honey just before serving. The sweet heat adds vibrant contrast that will have everyone reaching for seconds.
How to Serve Bacon-Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Goat Cheese and Spiced Brown Sugar Recipe
Garnishes
For a little elegance and added flavor, sprinkle freshly chopped fresh herbs like thyme or parsley over the plated dates. These herbs add a bright, fresh note that pairs wonderfully with the rich, smoky elements of the dish.
Side Dishes
These bacon-wrapped dates are delightful on their own as appetizers, but they also pair beautifully with a simple mixed greens salad or a sharp cheese board. The fresh greens cut through the richness perfectly while the cheese board complements the goat cheese filling with other textures and flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
Think beyond the platter by serving these dates on a rustic wooden board or stacking them artfully on a tiered serving tray. You could also skewer several together on cocktail picks for a fun finger food presentation that’s perfect for parties or casual entertaining.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover bacon-wrapped dates in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. They retain their flavors well, making them a perfect make-ahead appetizer for your next gathering.
Freezing
You can freeze these stuffed dates before baking. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper in a single layer, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. They will keep well for up to 2 months. When ready to bake, do so directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Reheating
To reheat, warm in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F for about 10 minutes or until the bacon crisps back up. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the bacon soggy and the filling too warm unevenly.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of cheese in this recipe?
Absolutely! While goat cheese adds a unique tanginess and creaminess, you can substitute cream cheese or a blue cheese for different flavor profiles. Just make sure it’s soft enough to stuff easily.
Are there alternative bacon options that work well?
Yes, you can use turkey bacon or prosciutto for a leaner or different flavor twist. Keep in mind that thinner meats might require shorter cooking times to avoid burning.
Can I prepare these without garlic or onion powders?
Certainly, those spices deepen the flavor but are not essential. You might want to add a pinch of black pepper or smoked sea salt to keep some complexity.
What size dates work best for stuffing?
Medjool dates are ideal because of their size and softness; smaller dates like Deglet Noor are too tiny and might not accommodate the filling well.
Is it necessary to use toothpicks?
Toothpicks help hold the bacon securely wrapped around the date during baking. Without them, the bacon might loosen or slide off, making the cooking process messier.
Final Thoughts
I cannot recommend this Bacon-Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Goat Cheese and Spiced Brown Sugar Recipe enough for anyone looking to impress with minimal effort. Its perfect balance of sweet, smoky, savory, and creamy flavors makes it a crowd-pleaser every time. So gather your ingredients, get baking, and enjoy sharing these irresistible bites with your favorite people.
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Bacon-Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Goat Cheese and Spiced Brown Sugar Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 21 dates
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese are a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors wrapped in crispy bacon. Stuffed with creamy goat cheese and rolled in a spiced brown sugar mixture, they make an irresistible appetizer or snack that’s easy to prepare and bake.
Ingredients
Dates & Filling
- 2 (8 ounce) packages Pitted Medjool Dates (21 dates)
- 4 ounces soft goat cheese
Bacon & Spice Coating
- 7 slices thick-cut hickory smoked bacon
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar (packed)
- 1 teaspoon Ancho Chili Powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Optional
- Hot Honey (for drizzling)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Cut each slice of bacon into thirds lengthwise to prepare for wrapping.
- Make Spice Mix: In a small shallow bowl, combine brown sugar, ancho chili powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder to create a flavorful coating mixture.
- Prepare Dates: Gently hold each pitted date and carefully pry it open along the natural seam where the pit was removed without splitting completely in half. Take your time to separate the date.
- Stuff Dates: Spoon about ½ teaspoon of soft goat cheese into each opened date. Gently press the sides to close the date partially around the goat cheese, leaving some of the cheese visible.
- Wrap with Bacon: Wrap each stuffed date tightly with a third slice of bacon. Secure the bacon by inserting a toothpick through the center, ensuring to pierce both ends of the bacon where they meet to hold in place.
- Coat Dates: Roll each bacon-wrapped date generously in the brown sugar and spice mixture so it’s fully coated.
- Bake: Place the coated dates on a baking sheet spaced about 1 inch apart. Bake in the preheated oven for 18 minutes or until the bacon is crispy and caramelized.
- Serve: Serve the bacon wrapped dates warm as is or drizzle with hot honey for an added layer of sweetness and spice.
Notes
- The key to perfectly stuffed dates is to gently open them without splitting entirely to keep the filling secure.
- Using thick-cut hickory smoked bacon adds extra smoky flavor and holds up well during baking.
- Hot honey adds a lovely sweet and spicy contrast but can be omitted if preferred.
- Baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven; watch for crispy, caramelized bacon as the indicator.
- These appetizers can be prepared ahead and baked just before serving.
