Bacon-Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Goat Cheese and Drizzled with Maple Syrup Recipe

If you’re anything like me, you know that some appetizers just steal the show—and this Bacon-Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Goat Cheese and Drizzled with Maple Syrup Recipe absolutely does that. I love this because it perfectly balances sweet, salty, creamy, and smoky flavors in every bite. Once I tried this combo, I was hooked, and my friends keep asking for it at every gathering. So, stick with me—I’ll walk you through making these little gems that will impress everyone at your next party!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients come together like a dream. When picking your dates, go for Medjool—they’re big, soft, and perfect for stuffing. And soft goat cheese melts just right to mingle with the smoky bacon and that lovely maple syrup glaze.

• Medjool Dates: Choose plump ones with no wrinkles for the best texture and ease of stuffing.
• Goat Cheese: Make sure it’s softened to room temperature—this makes stuffing easier and creamier.
• Bacon: Use regular thin slices rather than thick-cut; they cook evenly and crisp up faster.
• Maple Syrup: Pure maple syrup adds an essential sweet glaze that caramelizes beautifully in the oven.
• Cooking Spray: Prevents sticking and helps the bacon crisp nicely without extra oil.
• Chopped Parsley: Fresh parsley adds a pop of color and a hint of freshness for garnish.

Variations

I love tweaking this recipe depending on the occasion or what’s in my pantry. Feel free to make it your own! Here are some variations I’ve tried—and they’re tasty, too.

• Swap Goat Cheese for Blue Cheese: I tried this once when I ran out of goat cheese, and it added a sharper tang that my family adored.
• Use Prosciutto Instead of Bacon: For a lighter, saltier option, prosciutto wraps work beautifully and crisp quickly.
• Add Nuts Inside: For some crunch, I sometimes tuck in a toasted almond or pecan with the cheese to elevate texture.
• Make It Vegan: Swap bacon with smoky tempeh strips and use a plant-based cheese alternative—everyone was surprised how good it tasted!

How to Make Bacon-Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Goat Cheese and Drizzled with Maple Syrup Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prep Your Workspace

Start by heating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment or lightly coat it with cooking spray—this stops everything from sticking and helps the bacon crisp up nicely. I always like to set out my toothpicks here too, because they’ll be handy as you wrap.

Step 2: Stuff the Dates with Creamy Goat Cheese

Using a small spoon or even a piping bag, fill each pitted date with about a teaspoon of goat cheese. The key here is to press the dates gently closed without squishing the cheese out. I remember the first time I stuffed them using a spoon—it worked well, but a piping bag gave me cleaner, less messy results.

Step 3: Wrap Each Date with Bacon and Secure

Take each stuffed date and wrap it tightly with half a slice of bacon. Secure with a toothpick so it doesn’t unravel in the oven. I’ve found that if your bacon slices are too thick, it’ll take forever to crisp up, so thinner slices are your friend here.

Step 4: Brush Maple Syrup and Bake

Brush the entire batch generously with maple syrup—this gives the bacon a lovely glazed finish. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, turning the dates a couple of times so they cook evenly. You want the bacon crispy but not burnt, so keep an eye on them in the last few minutes.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve Immediately

Once out of the oven, sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and fresh flavor. Serve them right away—they’re best warm, and you’ll enjoy the contrast of crispy bacon with gooey cheese and sweet date. Pro tip: leaving toothpicks in makes serving guests simpler but removing them can make your presentation ultra-elegant.

How to Serve Bacon-Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Goat Cheese and Drizzled with Maple Syrup Recipe

Garnishes

I always finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley to add brightness and cut the richness just a little. Sometimes I toss on a few chopped toasted nuts like pistachios for crunch and visual interest—plus they add a lovely nutty layer of flavor.

Side Dishes

These dates are fantastic alongside a simple cheese board or paired with light salads featuring citrus or arugula. For a more substantial spread, I like serving them with roasted vegetables or even alongside grilled chicken skewers to provide a sweet-salty contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I arrange them on a wooden board lined with fresh herbs and put toothpicks in each for easy grabbing. One holiday season, I even threaded them onto skewers with small mozzarella balls and basil leaves—everyone went crazy for that twist!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to have leftovers (it’s rare!), store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They stay good for 2-3 days. I usually layer parchment between so they don’t stick together.

Freezing

Once cooled, these date bites freeze well. I lay them on a baking sheet to freeze individually first, then transfer to a freezer bag. That way, I can pull out as many as I need later without thawing the whole batch. Just keep in mind that the texture changes a bit—best warmed gently.

Reheating

To reheat, pop them in a 350°F oven for about 8-10 minutes. This crisps up the bacon again and warms the goat cheese without making the dates soggy. I avoid microwaving as it makes bacon chewy rather than crispy.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Bacon-Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Goat Cheese and Drizzled with Maple Syrup Recipe holds a special place in my recipe box because it effortlessly turns simple ingredients into something unforgettable. Every time I make them, I’m reminded of how a few thoughtful flavor combinations can create such magic. I wholeheartedly recommend you give this a try—you’ll enjoy the compliments, the ease, and most of all, the incredible taste. Trust me, once you’ve made these, dates will never look the same again!

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