Description
Deliciously sweet and savory Dates with Goat Cheese Wrapped in Bacon, perfectly baked until crispy and drizzled with honey, topped with fresh thyme and parsley for an elegant appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 14 oz. dates
- 4 oz goat cheese
- 1 package bacon, cut into halves or thirds depending on size of dates
- 4 Tbsp. honey
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Fresh thyme leaves for topping
- Fresh parsley for topping
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the dates.
- Prepare Dates: Slice each date in half lengthwise and remove any pits present, ensuring the dates are ready for stuffing.
- Stuff Dates: Fill each date half with about 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of goat cheese, stuffing them generously but carefully to avoid overflow.
- Wrap with Bacon: Wrap each stuffed date with 1/3 to 1/2 piece of bacon, securing the bacon with a toothpick to hold it in place during cooking.
- Arrange for Baking: Place the wrapped dates on a baking rack set on top of a baking sheet to allow even cooking and bacon crisping.
- Bake: Bake the dates in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, turning them halfway through to ensure bacon crisps evenly on all sides.
- Add Honey and Season: Remove from the oven and immediately drizzle the baked dates with honey, then sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish and Serve: Let the dates cool slightly, then garnish with fresh parsley and thyme leaves before serving as a flavorful appetizer.
Notes
- Use medjool dates for a softer texture and natural sweetness, but any pitted dates will work.
- Cut bacon pieces to appropriately wrap around the dates without too much excess.
- Turning the dates halfway through baking ensures evenly crispy bacon on all sides.
- For a milder goat cheese flavor, use less cheese or mix with cream cheese.
- Honey drizzle can be substituted with maple syrup for a different sweetness profile.
- Remove toothpicks before serving for easier eating if preferred.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed date
- Calories: 110 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
