Preheat oven to 400F. Line baking sheet with foil and rack.

Lay the bacon on the rack. Transfer to oven and bake until cooked but not crispy. 12-15 min. Let cool 5 min, then cut into 1/2 in pieces.

Lower oven to 350F. Remove rack from baking sheet. Replace foil with parchment paper.

Cut lengthwise slits in dates, just long enough to carefully remove pits. Fill each date with scant teaspoon of goat cheese. Carefully insert a piece of bacon into each date. Bake stuffed dates 15 min. Serve warm.