If you've never had turkey bacon wrapped dates before, prepare yourself, this is one of those uniquely mouthwatering combos that always disappears first at parties! These bite-sized treats are the perfect mix of sweet, salty, creamy, and crunchy all in one irresistible bite. I love serving these for dinner parties, game days, or holiday gatherings because they look fancy but take very little time to make!!
The best part? They're naturally gluten-free, easy to make dairy-free, and you can mix up the fillings to match your favorite flavors!
Why You'll Love this recipe
- Crowd favorite: These will be a huge hit at any dinner party or family gathering!
- The perfect appetizer: They're small, flavorful, and oh-so-pretty on a serving platter.
- Quick and simple: Just stuff, wrap, bake, and drizzle!
- A next-level bite: Sweet Medjool dates, creamy goat cheese, and salty turkey bacon come together in the most delicious way.
If you love this recipe and you're looking for some more easy and delicious appetizers, you will love my apple and brie crescent rolls, my healthy sausage balls, and 3 ingredient apple caramel cheesecake dip, my 3 ingredient boursin fig dip and my easy 4 ingredient boursin dip!
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Ingredients
Here's what you'll need to make my simple recipe:
- Dates: I recommend Medjool dates for their natural sweetness and chewy texture.
- Fig and honey goat cheese: Adds a tangy, creamy filling that balances the sweetness of the dates.
- Walnuts: For that satisfying crunch and nutty flavor.
- Rosemary: A few fresh leaves give each bite a hint of herby freshness.
- Turkey bacon: Keeps things leaner while still giving you that crispy, salty bacon flavor.
- Hot honey: The drizzle that ties it all together with a little sweet heat.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Here are the simple steps to make my bacon-wrapped dates!
- Step 1: Prep the dates: Slice each date lengthwise (just enough to open it) and remove the pit if it's still inside.
- Step 2: Stuff the dates: Add about 1 teaspoon of fig and honey goat cheese inside each date, followed by a walnut piece and a couple of rosemary leaves.
- Step 3: Wrap and secure: Take half a slice of turkey bacon, wrap it around the stuffed date, and secure it with a toothpick.
- Step 4: Bake and drizzle: Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 400°F for 8-10 minutes, flip, then bake another 8 minutes or until crispy. Remove, drizzle with hot honey, and enjoy!
Substitutions
- Dairy-free: Use a dairy-free goat cheese alternative or creamy cashew cheese.
- Vegetarian: Skip the turkey bacon and enjoy as is without baking!
- Gluten-free: These are naturally gluten-free as written, just double-check your bacon and cheese labels to be sure.
Variations
- Try a different cheese mixture: Swap in blue cheese, cream cheese, or feta for a new flavor combo.
- Add a glaze: Drizzle balsamic glaze or maple syrup instead of hot honey for a different kind of sweetness.
- Make it nut-free: Omit the walnuts
- Regular bacon: You can use regular or thick-cut bacon instead of turkey bacon,just adjust the cooking time as needed for even cooking.
Equipment
- Baking sheet or sheet pan
- Parchment paper
- Toothpicks
- Small paring knife or small spoon
Storage
Store any leftover dates in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, place them back on a baking tray and warm at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the bacon soggy!
Christina's Dietitian tip:
These stuffed turkey bacon wrapped dates are a great option for when you want a party appetizer that feels indulgent but still offers balance! The dates provide natural fiber and sweetness, the walnuts add healthy fats, and using turkey bacon keeps the saturated fat lower than traditional bacon. It's the perfect example of how small swaps can make a big difference without sacrificing flavor!
FAQ
Yes! You can assemble the stuffed dates up to a day in advance and refrigerate them. When ready to serve, bake as directed and drizzle with hot honey right before serving.
Appetizers
Looking for other easy appetizer recipes like this? Try these:
Jump to: Recipe
Turkey Bacon Wrapped Dates (6 ingredient appetizer)
Equipment
- Baking sheet or sheet pan
- Parchment paper
- Toothpicks
- Small paring knife or small spoon
Ingredients
- 12 pitted Medjool dates
- 4 oz fig and honey goat cheese or any goat cheese
- 12 Whole walnuts
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary leaves only
- 6 slices turkey bacon cut in half (for 12 pieces)
- Drizzle of hot honey for serving
Instructions
- Pre-heat your oven to 400 F and set the rack to the middle position.
- Prep the dates: Slice each date lengthwise with a small paring knife and remove the pit if necessary.
- Stuff the dates: Spoon about 1 teaspoon of goat cheese into each date. Add one walnut half and a couple of rosemary leaves on top of the cheese mixture.
- Wrap and secure: Wrap each stuffed date with half a slice of turkey bacon and secure with a toothpick. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake and drizzle: Bake at 400°F for 8-10 minutes, flip, then bake another 8 minutes until crispy. Remove from the oven, drizzle with hot honey, and serve warm.
Notes
Nutrition
Food Safety
- Cook turkey bacon to a minimum temperature of 165 F
- To prevent cross-contamination with raw turkey bacon, follow standard safe food handling procedures from the USDA: separate raw meat from ready-to-eat foods and maintain a clean preparation area
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
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