Goat Cheese-Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Dates

Say hello to your new party trick: Goat Cheese-Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Dates. These little babies are the perfect marriage of sweet, creamy, smoky, and savory all in one. The best part? They're ridiculously easy to make but taste like gourmet magic. Bonus points for gluten-free and endlessly customizable. Trust us, your guests will be talking about these long after the party is over.

What you need:

• 24 Medjool dates, pitted
• 4 oz goat cheese
• 12 slices No-Sugar Signature Dry-Rub Uncured Bacon, cut in half
• 24 toothpicks
• Optional: a drizzle of honey or a sprinkle of smoked paprika

Instructions:

1. Prep: Carefully slice each date down one side to create a pocket (don’t slice all the way through!). Remove the pit if it’s still inside.
2. Stuff the Dates: Use a small spoon (or your fingers!) to stuff each date with about 1 teaspoon of goat cheese. Be generous but don’t overfill, as the goat cheese may ooze out during baking.
3. Wrap the Bacon: Wrap each stuffed date with half a slice of bacon, securing it with a toothpick.
4. Bake: Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper (this makes cleanup easier). Place the bacon-wrapped dates seam-side down on the sheet. Bake for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the bacon is crispy.
5. Optional: For extra flavor, drizzle the finished dates with honey or sprinkle them with smoked paprika while they’re still warm.

Tips for Success:

• Make Ahead: You can assemble these a few hours ahead of time and store them in the fridge. Just pop them in the oven when your guests arrive!
• Fillings to Play With: Don't like goat cheese? Experiment with cream cheese, blue cheese, or for a fun variation, roasted almond.
• Crispy Bacon Hack: If you like your bacon super crispy, you can par-cook it for 2–3 minutes before wrapping the dates.

Let us know how they turn out, and don’t forget to tag us, @tenderbelly, in your creations!