This delicious Bacon Wrapped Dates recipe (aka Devils on Horseback) has a date stuffed with creamy goat cheese and wrapped in crispy bacon. The homemade glaze takes it over the top and makes it one of the absolute best appetizers!

A sheet of easy Bacon Wrapped Dates, freshly baked with a delicious glaze.

Bacon Wrapped Dates are the appetizer that steals the show.

This has got to be one of my favorite appetizer recipes! I love trying new foods and am often inspired by restaurants, which is what happened with these Bacon Wrapped Dates. They are inspired by the “Devils on Horseback” appetizer I enjoyed at The Pearl restaurant in Dublin, OH. I personally love the goat cheese center, but you can leave it out if you want or replace it with an almond. They simple but sure to impress, and I can’t wait for you to try them.

Some other fun and impressive party appetizers to try include Jalapeño Poppers, Blistered Shishito Peppers, Pepper Jelly, and Easy Homemade Crab Cakes.

How to make Bacon Wrapped Dates:

Glaze: Make the glaze by combining maple syrup, cilantro, red pepper flakes, and sweet onion.

Prep Dates: Use a knife to make a lengthwise slit in the center of the date and remove pit (if needed).

Assemble: Slice bacon strips in half. Scoop a teaspoon of goat cheese inside the date and wrap a piece of bacon around each date, securing with a toothpick. Arrange on a metal cooling rack on top of an aluminum lined baking sheet. Lightly brush a coating of the glaze over each date (save the rest).

Two images showing how to make bacon wrapped dates or Devils on horseback by stuffing goat cheese inside each date, then wrapping in bacon and brushing on a glaze.

Bake at 400°F for 15-25 minutes, until bacon is crispy. Remove from oven and drizzle with remaining glaze. Serve warm or at room temperature. Refrigerate after 2 hours of sitting out. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

Two images showing a goat cheese bacon wrapped dates recipe on a serving tray, then one of them being picked up with a toothpick.

Make Ahead and Freezing Instructions:

To Make Ahead: fully assemble the dates with the goat cheese and bacon wrapped around them, cover and refrigerate for up to 48 hours (depending on how fresh the bacon is).

Store: leftovers covered in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

To Freeze: Follow the steps to assemble the bacon wrapped dates with the goat cheese and securing the wrapped bacon with a toothpick. Arrange in a freezer safe container and keep in the freezer for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator before continuing the recipe with brushing on the glaze and baking.

Recipe Variations:

Cheese: Swap out goat cheese for your favorite soft cheese like boursin, cream cheese, bleu cheese, or omit the cheese altogether.
Nuts: Instead of the cheese, use a crunchy almond stuffed inside the date, instead.

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Recipe

5 from 7 votes

Bacon Wrapped Dates

Easy Bacon Wrapped Dates recipe (aka Devils on Horseback) with dates stuffed with goat cheese and wrapped in crispy bacon. The homemade glaze on top makes it one of the best appetizers!

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Author Lauren Allen

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Servings 12

Calories 177

Cost 16

Prep 10

Cook 20

Total 30

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Ingredients

▢ 12 slices bacon , thin cut
▢ 24 medjool dates , fresh, pitted
▢ 4 oz goat cheese , chèvre, plain

Glaze:

▢ 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
▢ 1 Tablespoon fresh cilantro , finely chopped
▢ 1 Tablespoon sweet onion , minced
▢ pinch crushed red pepper flakes , if desired

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Place a metal cooling rack on top of a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil or parchment. (I like to cook the dates on a baking tray, to allow air to circulate under them, for crispy bacon).
Make glaze by stirring the glaze ingredients together. Set aside.
Fill dates: Cut a slit in the center of the dates, lengthwise. Remove pit, if needed. Stuff the opening with a teaspoon of cheese.
Wrap in bacon: Cut bacon strips in half and wrap the bacon around each date, securing it with a toothpick. Place on prepared baking sheet. Brush a light coating of maple syrup glaze over each (reserve the extra).
Bake at 400 degrees for 15-25 minutes, or until bacon is crisp. Remove from oven and drizzle with any remaining glaze.
Serve warm or at room temperature (refrigerate after 2 hours sitting out). Leftovers will keep for 2-3 days in the fridge.

Notes

Yield: 24 bacon wrapped dates, Servings size: 2 bacon wrapped dates.

Goat Cheese: We use plain, but you may use herb flavored, or replace with your favorite soft cheese like boursin, cream cheese, bleu cheese.

Nuts: Instead of the cheese, use a crunchy almond inside instead.

Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Dates: Preheat air fryer to 390 degrees. Place assembled dates inside and air fry for 7-8 minutes. Open air fryer and flip the dates to a new side. Air fry for 3-5 more minutes or until crispy.

Make Ahead Instructions: Follow the recipe to assemble the dates with the goat cheese and bacon wrapped then cover and keep in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours (depending on how fresh your bacon is).

Storing leftovers covered in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

Freezing Instructions: Fill dates with cheese and wrap in bacon. Place in a freezer safe container and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator before adding glaze and baking.

Nutrition

Calories: 177kcalCarbohydrates: 41gProtein: 3gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.05gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 56mgPotassium: 353mgFiber: 3gSugar: 36gVitamin A: 169IUVitamin C: 0.04mgCalcium: 51mgIron: 1mg