Name: Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese: The Ultimate Big Green Egg Appetizer
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 100 min
Ingredients: 6 slices smoked bacon (quartered into 4 strips); 24 Medjool dates; 3 oz goat cheese; 1 jalapeno; 4 oz Chorizo Sausage; Dizzy Dust BBQ Rub; Honey

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Hello everyone and welcome back to The BBQ Buddha! This post features a recipe I developed for a local EGGFest at Brownsboro Hardware in Louisville, Kentucky. By utilizing the versatile heat of the Big Green Egg, you can transform simple ingredients into a decadent, smoky treat that is always the first to disappear at any gathering. This process provides a perfect balance of salty, sweet, and creamy textures that far surpasses anything made in a conventional kitchen oven. These bite-sized snacks were a massive hit at the festival and quickly became my favorite way to showcase the bold flavors of Dizzy Pig seasonings. Because the natural sweetness of the dates pairs so perfectly with the savory crunch of the bacon, they offer a sophisticated flavor profile that appeals to every palate. Whether you are prepping for a large event or a quiet evening on the patio, these appetizers are remarkably easy to assemble and cook. Now sit back, grab an ice-cold IPA, and enjoy this post for Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese: The Ultimate Big Green Egg Appetizer.

Step 1: Gathering the Ingredients
Step 2: Preparing the Protein and Wrappers
Step 3: Mixing the Savory Filling
Step 4: Preparing the Date Pockets
Step 5: Stuffing and Wrapping the Bites
Step 6: Seasoning with Dizzy Dust
Step 7: The Indirect Smoke on the Big Green Egg
Step 8: The Pull and the Honey Drizzle
Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese: The Ultimate Big Green Egg Appetizer Recipe

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Step 1: Gathering the Ingredients

Building a complex flavor profile does not require a long list of obscure items. By selecting a few high-quality ingredients that offer contrasting textures and tastes, you ensure each bite is a balanced explosion of flavor. This process provides a foundation of sweetness, heat, and salt that works in perfect harmony on the Big Green Egg.

The ingredients for this recipe could not be any easier to source: bacon, jalapeño, Medjool dates, goat cheese, chorizo sausage, and Dizzy Pig Dizzy Dust. Each component plays a specific role in the final dish. The Medjool dates provide a rich, caramel-like sweetness, while the chorizo and jalapeño offer a savory heat that cuts through the creaminess of the goat cheese. Because Dizzy Dust features a versatile blend of spices, it enhances the natural smokiness of the bacon without overpowering the delicate fruit. Once you have these items gathered on your prep station, you are ready to assemble the ultimate wood-fired appetizer.

Step 2: Preparing the Protein and Wrappers

Ensuring the bacon and sausage are prepped correctly is the secret to a perfectly proportioned appetizer. By taking the time to slice the bacon into uniform strips, you create a wrapper that is thin enough to crisp up quickly without overwhelming the delicate date. This process provides a consistent finish where the smoky fat renders perfectly into the sweet fruit and savory filling.

Start by slicing the bacon in half and then cutting those pieces down the middle lengthwise to create thin, manageable strips. While the bacon is ready for wrapping, you must also prepare the savory interior by cooking the chorizo in a skillet until it is fully browned and crumbly. Once the sausage is finished, set it aside to cool completely before you begin the stuffing process. Because adding hot meat to the cold goat cheese would cause the filling to melt prematurely, this cooling period is essential for maintaining the integrity of the appetizer.

Step 3: Mixing the Savory Filling

Combining your filling components into a uniform mixture ensures that every bite contains a perfect balance of heat, creaminess, and salt. By folding the spicy protein and fresh peppers into the soft cheese, you create a cohesive interior that stays put during the roasting process. This process provides a reliable way to distribute the bold flavors of the chorizo and jalapeño throughout the sweet cavity of the date.

Carefully mix the cooled chorizo, goat cheese, and diced jalapeño in a small bowl until the ingredients are thoroughly incorporated. The tangy profile of the goat cheese acts as a cooling agent against the heat of the peppers and the spiced sausage. Because you diced the jalapeños finely, they offer a consistent snap of freshness without dominating the other flavors in the blend. Once the mixture reaches a smooth and spreadable consistency, you have a potent filling that is ready to transform the Medjool dates into a world-class appetizer.

Step 4: Preparing the Date Pockets

Achieving a clean, professional look for your appetizers begins with a precise prep of the fruit. By carefully opening each Medjool date, you create the ideal vessel to hold the savory chorizo and goat cheese mixture. This process provides a stable structure that allows the filling to stay nestled inside while the bacon wraps securely around the exterior.

Slice the dates lengthwise and pull out the pits to create space for your ingredients. You should aim to make little pockets rather than cutting the fruit completely in half, which makes it much easier to stuff them without the filling leaking out. Because Medjool dates are naturally tacky and flexible, they hold their shape well once you have removed the stone. Once you have a batch of uniform pockets ready, you can move quickly through the stuffing phase to ensure every date is packed with the perfect amount of spicy, creamy goodness.

Step 5: Stuffing and Wrapping the Bites

Executing the assembly with care ensures that each appetizer remains intact and presents beautifully on the serving platter. By using just the right amount of filling, you maintain the structural integrity of the fruit while allowing the flavors to meld perfectly under the bacon wrap. This process provides a tidy, bite-sized snack that is easy to handle and even easier to eat.

Put a small dollop of the chorizo and goat cheese stuffing in each prepared date. You should use just enough filling so you can still close the date easily around the mixture. Once the date is sealed, wrap it tightly in one of the thin strips of bacon you prepared earlier. Because the bacon will shrink slightly as it renders on the Big Green Egg, a snug wrap ensures it stays securely in place without the need for toothpicks. This step creates a compact package where the salty pork completely blankets the sweet fruit and savory interior.

Step 6: Seasoning with Dizzy Dust

Adding a final layer of seasoning is the key to achieving that signature wood-fired crust on the exterior of the bacon. By applying the rub just before the appetizers hit the grill, you allow the spices to adhere to the natural moisture of the pork. This process provides a savory, complex bark that complements the sweetness of the Medjool dates and the creamy heat of the filling.

Sprinkle the Dizzy Pig Dizzy Dust generously all over the bacon-wrapped dates until they are evenly coated. You should ensure that every side of the bacon receives a light dusting to maximize the flavor profile during the roasting process. Because this specific rub contains a balanced blend of sweet and peppery notes, it reacts beautifully with the rendering fat to create a caramelized finish. Once the bites are fully seasoned, they are ready to be placed on the Big Green Egg for the final transformation.

Step 7: The Indirect Smoke on the Big Green Egg

Mastering the low and slow approach is the final secret to achieving perfectly rendered bacon without overcooking the delicate fruit. By utilizing an indirect heat setup, you create a gentle roasting environment that allows the smoke to penetrate the bacon deeply. This process provides a consistent temperature that melts the goat cheese into the chorizo while the bacon reaches a signature wood-fired crunch.

Set up your Big Green Egg for indirect cooking by inserting the ConvEGGtor and stabilizing the temperature at 250°F. Add a few high-quality wood chunks to the coals to provide a subtle, smoky essence that complements the sweetness of the Medjool dates. Once the smoke looks thin and blue, place the dates on the cooking grid and let them cook for approximately 90 minutes. Because the lower temperature allows the fat to render slowly, you should monitor the bacon until it looks dark, caramelized, and perfectly crispy. This extended cooking time ensures that the flavors of the Dizzy Dust and the smoke fully marry with the savory filling.

Step 8: The Pull and the Honey Drizzle

Completing the cook with a final touch of sweetness is the hallmark of a truly balanced appetizer. By removing the dates at the moment the bacon reaches its peak crispness, you ensure the interior remains creamy and the fruit stays succulent. This process provides a professional finish that highlights the contrast between the salty, smoky pork and the floral notes of the honey.

Pull the Bacon Wrapped Dates aka Buddha Bites from the Big Green Egg once the bacon is mahogany in color and perfectly rendered. While the bites are still warm from the grill, drizzle them lightly with high-quality honey to add a glossy sheen and a fresh layer of sweetness. Because the honey reacts with the warm bacon and the Dizzy Dust seasoning, it creates a sticky, savory glaze that ties all the components together. Once you have finished the drizzle, serve these appetizers immediately to your guests and enjoy the perfect harmony of wood-fired flavors.

Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese: The Ultimate Big Green Egg Appetizer

Final Serving Suggestions

These Buddha Bites are more than just a snack; they are a concentrated explosion of flavor that defines the outdoor cooking experience. By pairing them with the right beverage and presentation, you create a memorable start to any meal or event.

Resting Period: Allow the bites to sit for roughly five minutes so the internal temperature of the goat cheese stabilizes, making them easier to handle.
The Beverage Match: Serve these with an ice-cold IPA to let the citrusy hops provide a crisp counterpoint to the rich, smoky bacon and sweet dates.
Modern Presentation: Arrange the dates on a slate platter or a rustic wooden board to highlight the beautiful caramelization of the honey and bacon.

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