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Baked Goat Cheese Dip with Bacon, Figs and Pecans

This delicious baked goat cheese appetizer combines the sweet and savory flavors of bacon, candied pecans, wine-braised figs, honey, and creamy goat cheese. It will be the star of your next party!

Baked goat cheese dip on a tray with toasted bread

My inspiration for this goat cheese dip came from The Tasting Room wine bar and restaurant in Houston. After one bite, I knew I'd stumbled onto something heavenly. I've had many variations of cheese dips in my life, but the combination of flavors and textures in this particular dip knocked my socks off. It has a well balanced creamy-crunchy-chewy texture and salty-sweet flavor profile, and when you add toasted bread to the mix, it becomes perfection on a plate.

While the heartiness of this goat cheese dip makes it a perfect winter appetizer or holiday appetizer, it can be served any time of year, especially if you're looking for something that pairs well with red wine.

This recipe does require some advance prep, but once the ingredients are ready, it is super simple to prepare. You can make it easier on yourself by buying candied pecans if you can find them, but if you don't see them at the store, you can make them yourself in just 5 minutes.

I used the 5-minute stovetop candied pecans recipe (cut in half) by Fifteen Spatulas to make the candied pecans. Just try not to eat them all before you add them to the recipe. :)

More appetizer recipes: Lox Potato Bites

Candied pecans cooling on a baking sheet

Look for the dried figs in the bulk section of your grocery store, or in the aisle with raisins and other dried fruits. To give the figs an extra punch of flavor, I braised them on the stovetop in a little bit of red wine. This step can be omitted if you want to make things a little easier (or if you don't keep red wine in the house), but it only takes a few minutes.

Related recipe: Baked Crab Dip

Once the figs and nuts are prepared, you simply soften the goat cheese and stir those ingredients together. While the dip is baking, you crisp up some bacon in the microwave and dice it up.

Make Ahead Tip:

This dip tastes best right out of the oven, but it's easy to make ahead. Just prepare the nut, fig, and goat cheese mixture (as pictured above), and then refrigerate until you're ready to bake. You may need to bake it a few extra minutes if it's cold, but you won't have to worry about any last minute scrambling.

Baked Goat Cheese Dip with Bacon, Figs & Pecans

This baked goat cheese dip is comfort food at its finest.
5 from 14 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 230kcal
Author: Kate

Ingredients

  • 8 oz plain goat cheese
  • ½ cup dried sweetened figs
  • 1 tablespoon dry red wine
  • 2 tablespoon honey
  • 4 slices bacon
Candied Pecans
  • ½ cup pecan halves
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • teaspoon salt
  • teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon water

Instructions

  • To make candied pecans, combine brown sugar, salt, cinnamon and water in a nonstick skillet. Cook over medium/low heat for 2 minutes until mixture is liquefied and has begun to thicken. Add pecans and stir for 2-3 additional minutes. Remove to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and allow to cool. Chop into 1/2 inch pieces and set aside.
  • Dice figs into 1/2 - 3/4 inch pieces. In a small saucepan, combine chopped figs with 1 tablespoon red wine. Stir over low heat until wine is absorbed into the figs. Set aside.
  • In a small baking dish (approx 6" round), add goat cheese. If not already softened, microwave until soft (30-60 seconds). Using a small spatula, stir in braised figs and candied pecans until combined.
  • Bake in a 400 degree oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the edges are brown and the dip is beginning to bubble.
  • While the dip is baking, microwave bacon slices on high for 5 minutes, or until crisp. Dice into small pieces.
  • Remove dip from oven and top with a generous drizzle of honey and cooked bacon. 
  • Serve immediately with toasted baguette slices or toasted bread of your choice.

Nutrition

Calories: 230kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 216mg | Potassium: 126mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 295IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 65mg | Iron: 1mg
Recipe Rating




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Cathy

Sunday 14th of January 2024

Can this be made with fresh figs?

Kate

Friday 9th of February 2024

Fresh figs have a very different flavor. I would maybe dip fresh figs into the goat cheese dip, but not necessarily add them to this dip.

Jealith

Friday 10th of November 2023

This sounds amazing! Can't wait to make it for the family this year. I'm making it ahead of time then taking it to the family gathering where it will be baked then served. I can already see I will have to make two.

Genevieve

Saturday 2nd of November 2019

This recipe sounds super delicious and perfect for the holidays!

Adrianne

Saturday 2nd of November 2019

I am a huge dip fan and goats cheese is amazing. Pairing it with figs is the perfect way to serve it. I can tell I will be making this soon. Cheers!

Anita

Saturday 2nd of November 2019

What a lovely dip. This will be perfect for this year Christmas party. :)

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