Sweet & Spicy Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates with Maple, Lemon Thyme & Bacon

Sweet, salty, creamy, smoky, and just a little spicy, these Bacon-Wrapped Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates are the kind of appetizer that disappears almost as quickly as you can put it on the table.

Juicy Medjool dates are stuffed with creamy goat cheese mixed with red pepper flakes, wrapped in crispy bacon, and baked until golden. Then, while they’re still warm, they’re finished with a drizzle of maple syrup and fresh lemon thyme.

The combination is SO good.

Even better, this appetizer is naturally gluten-free and made with just six simple ingredients. It looks fancy enough for a holiday party or dinner with friends, but it’s incredibly easy to make.

If you love an appetizer that hits sweet, salty, creamy, and spicy all at once, you need to try these.

The Perfect Sweet and Savory Gluten-Free Appetizer

One thing I love about dates is how easily they can go from a simple snack to an appetizer that feels a little more elevated.

Medjool dates are naturally sweet with an almost caramel-like flavor. Stuffing them with tangy goat cheese helps balance that sweetness, while the bacon adds a salty, smoky crunch.

But we’re not stopping there.

A little red pepper flake gives the goat cheese some heat, maple syrup adds another layer of sweetness, and fresh lemon thyme brightens everything up.

Every bite has a little bit of everything.

These stuffed dates are also naturally gluten-free, which means there’s no need for special gluten-free flour, crackers, breadcrumbs, or substitutions. As always, double-check the labels on your bacon and other packaged ingredients if you’re cooking for someone with celiac disease.

Why You’ll Love These Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Dates

Only six ingredients. You don’t need a long grocery list to make an impressive appetizer.

Naturally gluten-free. They’re an easy option for gluten-free entertaining.

Sweet and savory. The dates and maple syrup balance perfectly with salty bacon and tangy goat cheese.

A little spicy. Red pepper flakes keep these from being overly sweet.

Easy to prep. Stuff, wrap, bake, and drizzle. That’s basically it!

Great for entertaining. Make them for holidays, game day, girls’ night, dinner parties, or anytime you need an easy appetizer.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Medjool Dates

You’ll need 12 pitted Medjool dates. I love Medjool dates for this recipe because they’re large, soft, and naturally sweet, making them easy to stuff.

Creamy Goat Cheese

Four ounces of creamy goat cheese creates the tangy filling. Allowing it to soften slightly can make it easier to mix and stuff into the dates.

Bacon

You’ll need six thin slices of bacon, cut in half to create 12 pieces. Thin-cut bacon works especially well because it has time to get crispy before the dates become overcooked.

Red Pepper Flakes

A teaspoon of red pepper flakes adds a spicy kick that balances the sweetness of the dates and maple syrup. If you’re serving these to kids or prefer less heat, you can easily reduce the amount.

Fresh Lemon Thyme

Fresh lemon thyme gives the finished dates a bright, herby flavor that works beautifully with the goat cheese.

Maple Syrup

Just a teaspoon of maple syrup drizzled over the warm dates ties all of the flavors together. A little goes a long way!

Tips for the Best Stuffed Dates

Use thin-cut bacon. Thick-cut bacon can take longer to crisp, which may cause the dates to become overly soft before the bacon is done.

Don’t overstuff the dates. It’s tempting to pack in as much goat cheese as possible, but too much can spill out while baking.

Adjust the heat. For a milder version, use ¼-½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes. If you love some heat, keep the full teaspoon.

Use pure maple syrup. You only need a small drizzle, so the flavor really comes through.

Keep an eye on the bacon. Bacon thickness varies, so start checking around the 20-minute mark.

Make Them Kid-Friendly

If your kids aren’t fans of spicy foods, there’s an easy solution.

Before adding the red pepper flakes, divide the goat cheese into two bowls. Leave one portion plain for the kids and mix the red pepper flakes into the other portion for the adults.

You still get the same creamy, sweet, salty combination without the extra heat.

Can I Make Bacon-Wrapped Dates Ahead of Time?

Yes! This is one reason they’re such a great party appetizer.

Stuff the dates with goat cheese and wrap them in bacon, then arrange them in an airtight container and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake.

For the best flavor and texture, wait to add the maple syrup and fresh lemon thyme until after baking.

What to Serve with Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates

These dates are delicious on their own, but they’re also perfect as part of a larger gluten-free appetizer spread.

Serve them alongside hummus, fresh vegetables, gluten-free crackers, cheeses, nuts, fruit, olives, or your favorite gluten-free dips.

They’re especially good when you want something warm and savory to balance out a snack board.

Easy Variations

Once you’ve made the original recipe, it’s easy to change it up.

For extra sweetness, drizzle a little more maple syrup over the top just before serving.

For additional crunch, add a chopped pecan or walnut inside each date with the goat cheese.

If you can’t find lemon thyme, regular fresh thyme works too. You can also add a tiny amount of fresh lemon zest to mimic that bright citrus flavor.

For less heat, simply reduce or leave out the red pepper flakes.

The Gluten-Free Appetizer Everyone Will Reach For

Sometimes the best recipes are the simplest ones.

These Bacon-Wrapped Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates only require a handful of ingredients, but every ingredient brings something different to the table.

You get sweetness from the Medjool dates and maple syrup, creamy tanginess from the goat cheese, salty crunch from the bacon, heat from the red pepper flakes, and a fresh finish from the lemon thyme.

They’re easy enough to make for a casual night at home but impressive enough to put out for guests.

And when the entire tray disappears? You might want to make a double batch next time.

Print Recipe

Gluten Free

Bacon-Wrapped Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates

Author: Liz Satkowski Cooking Method: Baking, Roasting Courses: Appetizer Recipe Keys: Gluten Free

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 15 mins Cook Time 20 mins Total Time 35 mins

Servings: 12 Calories: 125

Best Season: Suitable throughout the year

Description

Sweet, savory, creamy, and a little spicy, these Bacon-Wrapped Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates are an easy gluten-free appetizer made with Medjool dates, creamy goat cheese, crispy bacon, red pepper flakes, maple syrup, and fresh lemon thyme. Perfect for holidays, parties, game day, or anytime you need a simple crowd-pleasing appetizer.

Ingredients

Servings

• 4 ounces creamy goat cheese
• 12 medjool dates (pitted)
• 6 slices thin cut bacon (cut in half)
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon thyme (chopped)
• 1 teaspoon maple syrup
• 12 toothpicks

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven

   Preheat your oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

1. Make the Goat Cheese Filling

   In a small bowl, combine the creamy goat cheese and red pepper flakes. Mix until the pepper flakes are evenly distributed throughout the cheese.

1. Stuff the Dates

   Using a small knife, carefully slice each Medjool date lengthwise without cutting all the way through.

   Open the date slightly and fill the center with the goat cheese mixture. Gently press the date back together around the filling.

   Repeat with all 12 dates.

1. Wrap the Bacon

   Wrap one half-slice of bacon around each stuffed date.

   Secure the bacon with a toothpick and arrange the dates on your prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one.

1. Bake Until Crispy

   Transfer the baking sheet to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the bacon is cooked and beginning to crisp.

   For more even browning, you can carefully turn the dates about halfway through cooking

1. Add the Maple and Lemon Thyme

   Remove the dates from the oven and carefully transfer them to a serving platter.

   While they're still warm, drizzle the dates with maple syrup and sprinkle the chopped fresh lemon thyme over the top.

1. Serve

   Serve your bacon-wrapped goat cheese stuffed dates warm or at room temperature and ENJOY!

Nutrition Facts

Servings 12

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Amount Per Serving

Calories 125kcal

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 4.5g7%

Saturated Fat 2.5g13%

Cholesterol 12mg4%

Sodium 150mg7%

Total Carbohydrate 18.5g7%

Dietary Fiber 1.7g7%

Sugars 16g

Protein 4g8%

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* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

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