Bacon Wrapped Dates
These bacon wrapped dates are stuffed with cheese and sprinkled with an insanely delicious brown sugar spice rub. They're going to be the hit of your next party!
Servings: 30
Ingredients
- 1 pkg. (8 oz.) pitted dates, about 30 dates (Deglet Noor works best)
- 4 oz. log plain goat cheese
- 1 pkg. (16 oz.) thick cut bacon (see note)
- ¼ cup dark brown sugar (light brown is okay, too)
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 pinch cayenne powder, or up to ⅛ teaspoon
- 30 wooden toothpicks
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Line baking sheet with foil. Place an oven-safe wire baking rack on top of the baking sheet. Spray baking rack lightly with nonstick cooking spray.
- With a sharp paring knife, cut a small slit in each date, making sure not to slice all the way. (Be sure to remove pits if you didn't buy pitted dates or if any fragments remain). Fill the opening of each date with about ¾ teaspoon goat cheese. Pinch the opening closed around the cheese.1 pkg. (8 oz.) pitted dates, about 30 dates, 4 oz. log plain goat cheese
- Cut strips of bacon into thirds. Wrap a piece of bacon around each cheese-filled date and secure with a toothpick. It’s best if the cut side of the date is facing up and the ends of the bacon are facing down (see photos).1 pkg. (16 oz.) thick cut bacon
- In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, chili powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne; stir with a fork until well-combined.¼ cup dark brown sugar, ½ teaspoon chili powder, ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 pinch cayenne powder, or up to ⅛ teaspoon
- Roll the stuffed wrapped dates in sugar mixture, pressing down lightly to secure it to the dates. Place the dates on the wire rack with the ends of the bacon facing down so the cheese doesn’t run out of the top slit.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until bacon is cooked. Cool for 5 minutes before serving. The toothpicks can remain in the dates to be used as handles.
Video
Notes
- Bacon: We used thick cut Oscar Mayer bacon. If you use a thinner or thicker bacon, cook time will vary slightly. Keep an eye on them towards the end of baking time so the bacon doesn't get too brown.
- Servings: I usually figure on about 3 stuffed dates per person but that would depend on what you're serving along with them.
- Kick it up a notch. The brown sugar topping is subtle and not spicy. If you want bolder flavor, try doubling all the spices and keeping the brown sugar measurement the same.
- Stuff them with almonds. A whole almond stuffed in each date is a great alternative to cheese. In fact, you may want to do a double batch: one with cheese and one with almonds!
- Make ahead: The stuffed dates can be made an hour or two ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to bake. However, if you want to make them a day or two ahead, assemble the stuffed dates up to the point of the brown sugar rub, then refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to 2 days. When you're ready to bake them, turn the oven on to preheat. Roll the dates in the brown sugar mixture, arrange them on the wire rack, and bake as directed.
Nutrition
Serving: 1date | Calories: 101kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 115mg | Potassium: 84mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 63IU | Vitamin C: 0.03mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 0.2mg
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