Bacon Wrapped Dates with Honey Herb Glaze (2024)

Making these classic bacon wrapped dates recipe is your next best decision! They’re much like the traditional appetizer, but there’s a crunch inside and a sweet honey glaze on top.

Looking for another delicious appetizer recipe? Try fried goat cheese, beef satay, or beef tenderloin roll-ups with caramelized onion and goat cheese.

Bacon wrapped dates have long been a classic appetizer. They’re rich in flavor from the goat cheese and bacon and sweet from from the dates. I tried to switch it up a bit in this recipe by adding some crunch on the inside and a sweet and sticky herb glaze on top.

Bacon Wrapped Dates Ingredients

• Large dates (medjool dates are great)
• Goat cheese
• Pecan halves
• Bacon (nitrate free and low sugar when possible)
• Honey
• Rosemary and thyme
• Salt and pepper

Substitutions

Here are some great options if you want to customize this recipe to you and your family/friends:

• Goat cheese: swap in blue cheese or cream cheese
• Pecans: omit them completely or use a walnut
• Bacon: try wrapping them in proscuitto (an Italian cured ham)
• Honey: swap in pure maple syrup
• Fresh herbs: use half the amount of dried herbs or omit completely

How to Make Bacon Wrapped Dates

Prep and Stuff

1. Start by pitting the dates: Slice your dates lengthwise, opening them up and discarding the pit.
2. Fill the dates with softened goat cheese using a knife or pastry bag.
3. Place half a pecan inside the dates and goat cheese (sideways so they fit better).
4. Wrap each date in bacon and place on a plate or baking sheet seam side down. (don’t forget to wash your hands now!)

Make the Glaze and Sear

5. Mix together the honey glaze ingredients and set aside.
6. Heat a large frying pan over medium-high heat with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
7. Once the oil is hot, place each bacon wrapped date in the pan, seam side down, to sear and seal the seam.
8. While they’re searing, drizzle each date with the prepared honey glaze. It’s ok if there’s some extra you can save it for topping at the end!

Finish Baking in the Oven

9. How long to cook bacon wrapped dates: Transfer the dates to a 400°F oven and bake for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
10. Remove from the oven and use tongs to turn the dates around in the pan to coat in any extra honey glaze. Transfer to a serving platter and drizzle with any additional honey.

Recipe Tips

• Allow the goat cheese to come to room temp before stuffing. This makes it easier to spread and stuff the dates.
• Use a knife, small spoon or piping bag to fill the dates
• Don’t forget to turn your dates halfway through cooking so the bacon and cook evenly.
• Use a large, oven-safe pan or a cast-iron skillet.
• Choose a bacon that is nitrate free and minimal sugars.

Make the In Advance

Pit, stuff and wrap the dates in bacon up to 8 hours before cooking. When you’re ready, remove from the fridge, make the honey herb topping and cook according to instructions.

How to Reheat

Yes, you can reheat them! Place them back in the oven at 350°F until warmed all the way through or warm them in a large frying pan over medium heat.

If you love this recipe as much as I do, don’t forget to follow me in Instagram and tag me with @what_mollymade so I can see it and feature you.