Sweet, salty, creamy, and crispy — these Blue Cheese Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates are the easiest appetizer you’ll make, and they are ALWAYS the first dish cleared out at my family parties. They’re elegant enough for a holiday party, perfect for a cocktail hour, and basically impossible not to devour. With gooey blue cheese tucked into sweet Medjool dates and wrapped in perfectly crisp bacon, every bite hits all the best flavor notes.
Whether you’re hosting friends or bringing something to a potluck, these little bites feel special but are shockingly simple.
❤️ Why You’ll Love These Blue Cheese Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates
Sweet meets savory – The natural caramel sweetness of dates paired with funky blue cheese and crisp bacon is perfect!
Minimal Ingredients – You only need three star ingredients — Medjool dates, blue cheese (like Gorgonzola), and bacon — yet the result tastes far fancier.
Prep ahead – You can prep these the day before and bake right before guests arrive, making entertaining stress-free.
🛒 Ingredients
Pitted Medjool dates – Naturally sweet and soft, Medjool dates are the perfect base for this recipe. Their caramel-like flavor balances the saltiness of the bacon and the tangy blue cheese. Be sure they’re pitted for easy stuffing.
Blue cheese (or Gorgonzola) – Creamy, bold, and slightly funky, blue cheese adds richness and contrast to the sweet dates. Gorgonzola works beautifully here because it melts smoothly without being overpowering. Let it come to room temperature so it’s easy to stuff.
Bacon – Cut in half crosswise, bacon wraps each date in a salty, crispy layer that brings everything together. As it bakes, the fat renders and crisps the exterior while keeping the inside soft and melty.
👩🍳 How to Make Blue Cheese–Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Dates
- Prep the oven & tray
Preheat oven to 400°F and line a sheet tray with parchment. - Stuff the dates
Gently open each date, fill with about 1–1½ teaspoons of blue cheese — don’t overstuff, it will melt as it bakes. - Wrap with bacon
Wrap each cheese-filled date with half a slice of bacon. Tuck the end underneath so it stays snug. - Bake seam-side down
Place dates seam-side down on your prepared tray. This helps keep them wrapped while baking. - Flip halfway
Bake 18–22 minutes, flipping halfway, until the bacon is deep golden and crispy. - Serve warm
Let cool just slightly and serve right away — they’re best warm or at room temperature.
🪄 Tips & Tricks
- Room-temperature cheese spreads more easily without tearing the dates.
- Don’t overfill — a little cheese goes a long way and keeps the bacon wrapped without oozing.
- Flip halfway for even browning — this gives beautifully crisp bacon on all sides.
🍽 Make Ahead
You can assemble these the day before and keep them covered in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, just pop them in the oven and bake as directed — perfect for holiday hosting or last-minute appetizers.
FAQ
Gorgonzola is ideal since it’s creamy and melts smoothly without being too sharp. Any mild blue cheese works, just avoid overly crumbly varieties.
No, as long as you wrap the bacon snugly and place the dates seam-side down on the sheet tray, they’ll stay put while baking.
Yes. Assemble up to 24 hours in advance, cover, and refrigerate. Bake just before serving for the best texture.
Blue Cheese Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates
Ingredients
- 12 pitted Medjool dates
- 4 oz blue cheese or Gorgonzola
- 6 slices bacon, cut in half
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F and line a sheet tray with parchment.
- Open each date and fill with ~1–1½ tsp blue cheese.
- Wrap each date with half a slice of bacon, tucking the end underneath.
- Place dates seam-side down on the tray; bake 18–22 minutes, flipping halfway, until bacon is crisp.
- Serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy!
