Bacon-Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese & Dark Chocolate
Sweet and savory bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with tangy goat cheese and a piece of rich dark chocolate. These little bites are such a fun, delicious appetizer and are guaranteed to impress guests!
Servings 10 servings
Calories 120cal
Ingredients
- 1-2 ounces goat cheese
- 1-2 squares 72% dark chocolate, chopped into pieces (this is optional)
- 1 (12 ounce) package bacon
- 20-24 pitted dates
- For the glaze:
- 1-2 tablespoons maple syrup
- Cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. You’ll want to make sure your baking sheet has some edges, as the bacon does produce lots of grease when cooked.
- Prepare the dates: Split each date in half without breaking them fully apart. Make sure the pit is fully removed and discarded from the date if it already isn’t.
- Stuff the dates: Add a small piece of dark chocolate to your opened date. Spread a small amount of goat cheese mixture inside, and press together to close your date. Repeat with all of your dates.
- Wrap the dates: Next, cut your strips of bacon in half. Take one date and wrap ½ piece of bacon around it. Repeat this step until each date is wrapped in ½ slice of bacon.
- Place all bacon-wrapped dates on large baking sheet with the bacon seam side down.
- Brush each bacon wrapped date with a little maple syrup. Sprinkle cayenne pepper on each date (use more if you like spicy flavors, and omit or only use a small pinch if you do not like spicy flavors). Stick a toothpick into each date.
- Bake: Bake in the oven for 10 minutes, then turn date on its side so that the toothpick is parallel to the baking sheet. Bake for 10 more minutes. Then flip dates to other side and bake again for 10 minutes or until bacon is slightly golden brown. Transfer to a plate to cool. Serve immediately. Serves 10, 2 bacon-wrapped dates each.
Notes
To store: if you happen to have any leftovers, simply store these bacon wrapped stuffed dates in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
Make them ahead of time: assemble the bacon wrapped dates completely and then store them in an airtight container in the fridge the day before you'd like to serve them. On the day-of, simply bake as directed.
Nutrition
Serving: 2dates | Calories: 120cal | Carbohydrates: 12.7g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 6.1g | Saturated Fat: 2.7g | Fiber: 1.2g | Sugar: 11.9g