hot_biteEasyMediterranean

Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates

Medjool dates stuffed with herbed goat cheese and wrapped in bacon

⏱️ Prep: 20min🍳 Cook: 20min⏰ Total: 40min👥 Serves: 2🌡️ hot

✓ gluten-free

⚠️ Contains: 🥛 Dairy

Ingredients

12Medjool dates(pitted)
4 ozgoat cheese(softened)
1 tbspfresh herbs(thyme, rosemary - minced)
6 slicesbacon(halved)
1 tbsphoney(for drizzling)
freshly cracked black pepper

📝 Make Ahead

Can be assembled ahead. Bake just before serving.

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F
Mix goat cheese with herbs
Make slit in each date and remove pit if present
Stuff each date with goat cheese mixture
Wrap each stuffed date with bacon half, secure with toothpick
Place on wire rack set over baking sheet
Bake 15-20 minutes until bacon is crispy
Drizzle with honey and black pepper
Let cool slightly before serving - filling will be hot

💡 Pro Tips

Medjool dates are larger and softer than other varieties. Don't overstuff or cheese will ooze out. Thin-cut bacon crisps better. The wire rack allows bacon to crisp all around. Let cool slightly - the cheese filling gets very hot. Remove toothpicks or warn your date.

📜 History

Bacon-wrapped dates have become a modern appetizer classic, playing on the timeless sweet-salty combination. The goat cheese filling adds tangy creaminess that balances the caramel sweetness of Medjool dates. They're irresistible and disappear quickly.

🍸 Pairs Well With

Elder Fashion

Whiskey's depth complements rich, savory dishes

Maple Irish Coffee

Whiskey's depth complements rich, savory dishes

Ward Eight

Whiskey's depth complements rich, savory dishes

Fireball Shot

Whiskey's depth complements rich, savory dishes

Black Manhattan

Whiskey's depth complements rich, savory dishes

Maple Whiskey Sour

Whiskey's depth complements rich, savory dishes

Also pairs well with:

bourbonred-winescotchsherry