Bacon-Wrapped Dates

If you've never tried dates before, let this bacon-wrapped party appetizer be your introduction. Filled with tangy goat cheese, wrapped in crisp bacon and brushed with a sweet and spicy maple syrup glaze, these dates have the perfect balance. The sweet dates are complemented perfectly by the salty bacon, while the goat cheese lends a creamy factor to the entire flavor-packed bite. In short, this party snack will be a guaranteed hit at any holiday party, fancy dinner or New Year's Eve celebration—they may just fly off the plate. 

Read on for our top tips, tricks and possible variations for this classic party app:

The Filling

While we think goat cheese adds the perfect creamy, tangy bite to these dates, any soft cheese will do! Blue cheese, ricotta or cream cheese would also work well if you're not a goat cheese fan. Dairy-free? Feel free to omit the filling completely! While they won't pack quite the same punch, plain bacon-wrapped dates will still have an irresistible salty-sweet flavor. 

The Bacon

We prefer our bacon fairly crispy in this dish to add that contrasting crispness to the creamy goat-cheese-filled date. Brushing on the maple syrup glaze helps to add a caramelized factor to our bacon, but if you like your bacon even more crispy, you can cook them for a few more minutes—just keep an eye on them to make sure your dates don't burn! Top Tip: Don't buy thick-cut bacon for this recipe; it will take much longer to cook and crisp up. 

The Glaze 

A glaze isn't absolutely necessary, but we think it truly takes this app up a notch. The maple syrup helps to caramelize the bacon, while the red pepper flakes add a kick of subtle heat. You can really experiment with this glaze based on your personal preferences: swap out the rosemary for another fresh herb, take out the red pepper flakes if you're not looking for any spice, or add in some of your favorite seasonings to really amp up the flavor.

Have you made these yet? If so, let us know how it went in the comments below!