Bacon Wrapped Dates {stuffed with goat cheese}

salty bacon, tangy cheese and sweet dried dates makes a burst of flavor that is divine.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 20

Total Time 35

Servings dates

Calories 274kcal

Cost $10

Preheat oven to 400
Cut the bacon into thirds or halves depending on the size of your dates.
Slice each date vertically down one side and open it up like a book, fill with goat cheese, and close.
Roll each stuffed date in one third of a slice of bacon. Place seem side down on a parchment paper or foil lined rimmed baking sheet.
Bake for 20 minutes, or until browned and crispy.
Serve warm or room temperature.

Depending on how many slices of bacon in your package is how many dates you will get. I find there are usually 8 or 9 slices of bacon in a 12 oz package.
Usually a third of a strip of bacon for each date is sufficient, however, sometimes you may need to use a half a strip of bacon, depending on the size of your dates. If they are really large, a half of a strip works better.
When you wrap them, seal the end of the bacon by pressing it gently, getting it to stick.
If you’re worried about the dates coming apart during baking time, use toothpicks! Push one through the center of each, starting where the seams meet. As long as I've had the seam side down, I've not had a problem with this.

MAKE AHEAD INSTRUCTIONS:

If you’re just trying to prep for a party, assemble these and keep them covered in the fridge (even overnight is fine). Then, pop them in the oven just before your guests arrive!
To freeze for future use, assemble them, but don't bake them, flash freeze*** them on a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Once frozen, transfer to zip lock bag and store in the freezer for 1-2months.
bake them straight from the freezer, adding about 10 minutes or so to the time. Or, thaw them in the fridge for a few hours first.

***Flash freezing is freezing the item individually first, so that when you package them together to store them, they don't stick together. This allows you to take out as many as you need for the time.