Description

These Bacon-Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese & Dark Chocolate are a perfect blend of sweet, salty, and savory flavors. Stuffed with creamy goat cheese and optional rich dark chocolate, then wrapped in crispy bacon and finished with a hint of maple syrup and cayenne pepper glaze, these bite-sized appetizers offer a delicious balance of textures and tastes, ideal for parties or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale

Filling

1–2 ounces goat cheese
1–2 squares 72% dark chocolate, chopped into pieces (optional)

Main

1 (12 ounce) package bacon
20–24 pitted dates

Glaze

1–2 tablespoons maple syrup
Cayenne pepper, to taste

Instructions

Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, ensuring it has edges to catch bacon grease.
Prepare dates: Carefully split each pitted date in half without separating completely, ensuring pits are fully removed and discarded.
Stuff dates: Place a small piece of chopped dark chocolate inside each opened date, then add a small amount of goat cheese. Press the date closed gently to enclose the filling.
Wrap dates with bacon: Cut each bacon strip in half. Wrap each stuffed date with a ½ slice of bacon, securing the bacon seam side down on the baking sheet to prevent unwrapping during cooking.
Glaze and season: Brush each bacon-wrapped date lightly with maple syrup. Sprinkle cayenne pepper over them according to your heat preference. Insert a toothpick into each date for easy handling.
Bake dates: Bake for 10 minutes. Then turn each date onto its side so the toothpick lies parallel to the baking sheet. Bake for another 10 minutes.
Flip and finish baking: Flip the dates onto the opposite side and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the bacon is golden brown and crispy.
Cool and serve: Remove from the oven, transfer to a plate, allow to cool slightly, and serve immediately. Yields approximately 10 servings with 2 bacon-wrapped dates each.

Notes

Using dark chocolate is optional but adds a rich flavor contrast to the savory bacon and tangy goat cheese.
If you prefer less heat, adjust the cayenne pepper to your taste or omit it entirely.
To avoid bacon unraveling, secure the seam side down and use toothpicks if necessary.
For a sweeter variation, drizzle a little extra maple syrup before serving.
Make sure to use pitted dates for ease of stuffing and safety.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Bacon-Wrapped Dates, Goat Cheese, Dark Chocolate, Appetizer, Bacon, Maple Syrup, Cayenne Pepper, Party Snack