Bacon Wrapped Dates are a SIMPLE 3 ingredient appetizer that is loved by EVERYONE! Crispy bacon is wrapped around a sweet date that has been stuffed with an almond for a sweet and salty, irresistible appetizer!
Have you ever had a bacon wrapped date?
They are a magical appetizer!
This simple appetizer recipe is sweet, salty, chewy, and crispy. Just PERFECTION!
Bacon Wrapped Dates
The first time I had a bacon wrapped date was at a cocktail party for a Cystic Fibrosis Fundraiser.
The server came around and asked who wanted a Devil on Horseback AKA Bacon Wrapped Date.
After one bite, I fell in LOVE! And I can almost guarantee you will as well.
These Bacon Wrapped Dates are perfect for parties:
- They can be made in minutes.
- They only have 3 ingredients!! YES, 3!!
- Paleo
- Gluten-Free
- Dairy-Free
- They will make you the most popular person at the party, as EVERYONE loves them!
Ingredients for Bacon Wrapped Dates
There is really ONLY 2 ingredients that are essential for this recipe for bacon wrapped dates.
- Whole Dates
- Look for whole, pitted dates in the produce section of your grocery store.
- Bacon
- If you can, use an uncured, nitrate free bacon.
Filling Options for Bacon Wrapped Dates
I personally like to fill my pitted date to add an element of flavor and texture. I often opt for almonds for a crunch factor, but cream cheese, goat cheese or blue cheese are options as well.
- Almonds
- Place a roasted almond inside the date (where the pit was removed)
- Cream Cheese
- Open up the date lengthwise.
- Spread 1/2-1 teaspoon cream cheese inside the cavity of the date before wrapping in bacon.
- Goat Cheese
- Open up the date lengthwise.
- Spread 1/2-1 teaspoon goat cheese inside the cavity of the date before wrapping in bacon.
- Blue Cheese
- Open up the date lengthwise.
- Place a few crumbles of the blue cheese inside the cavity of the date before wrapping in bacon.
How to Make Bacon Wrapped Dates
Prepare Toothpicks
- If using wooden toothpicks or skewers, soak for 30 minutes in water. This will prevent them from burning while baking.
Prepare Dates
- Open up a date (you will find a small slit where the pit was removed).
- Place an almond, cream cheese, goat cheese, or blue cheese inside the date.
- Wrap the date in 1/2 of strip of bacon.
- Skewer with a toothpick to skewer bacon to date.
Bake Bacon Wrapped Dates
- Place prepared dates on broiler pan or baking sheet topped with a metal rack.
- Bake until bacon is rendered and crispy.
A Few Tips For Bacon Wrapped Dates
- If you want to keep this appetizer Paleo and Dairy Free, be sure to use almonds as your filling for bacon wrapped dates.
- What if you don’t have toothpicks or skewers? No problem, just place your bacon seam side down on baking sheet, without the toothpick.
- Be sure to line your broiler pan or baking sheet with foil to minimize clean up.
- To prepare Bacon Wrapped Dates prior to serving. Assemble and refrigerate until ready to bake. Bake right before serving.
More Party Appetizers
- Antipasto Skewers
- Easy Baked Sauerkraut Balls
- Easy Baked Vegetable Egg Rolls
- The Most Amazing Taco Dip
- Simple Greek Pinwheels
- Homemade Salsa Recipe
- Instant Pot Chicken Wings
Bacon Wrapped Dates
Ingredients
- 24 whole pitted dates
- 12 slices of Bacon cut in half
Filling Options for Bacon Wrapped Dates (optional)
- 24 whole almonds
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- 4 ounces blue cheese
- 4 ounces goat cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees and soak toothpicks in water.
- Open up date (open slit where the pit was removed.) If desired, fill the center of the date with 1 almond or 1 teaspoon of either goat cheese, cream cheese, or bleu cheese. Use a spoon or your fingers to be sure filling is inserted fully into date and not oozing out sides.
- Cut each strip of bacon in half. Wrap one piece of cut bacon around date. Either secure with a pre-soaked toothpick, or place seam side down on a baking tray.
- Bake for 7 minutes and flip dates. Bake for additional 5-8 minutes, or until bacon is crispy.
- If you need to make these prior to serving. Assemble and refrigerate until ready to bake. Bake right before serving or bake and then reheat in microwave for 2 mintues.
delicious an so easy! I made them with just dates and the bacon, but next time I will add one of the cheese options.
I am so glad you enjoyed Rachel! Have fun with the different combinations.
Nice looking appetizer I can easily make tysm.
I made these for New year’s and people loved them!
I am so glad you all enjoyed! Happy New Year!
How long do you par bake the bacon for? I LOVE these– I might stuff them with a little goat cheese for a little creamy-tanginess 🙂
Hi Erin! I actually don’t precook my bacon. But you could for 5 minutes at 400 degrees to cut down on time you cook dates. And the goat cheese is a great idea.
I love the simplicity of these! And I agree – bacon has to be crispy… My mom will send back her bacon if it isn’t crispy.
Bacon totally needs to be crispy!
Sweet and salty – the ultimate combo!
Totally agree Ally!
I love dates. These were really popular when I was growing up and I am so glad that shows like Mad Men are making vintage recipes popular again. I used to sneak them off the trays before they were served at my parents cocktail parties!
Ha! Well, now you can sneak them off the trays of your own parties!
These sound ridiculously tasty! Thank you so much for sharing! I hope you’ll come back again this week for Awesome Life Friday!
Thanks Lynda, it is so easy and so good.
Wow, these sound fantastic! Pinned. I hope to see you later today for the next Retro Re-Pin Party starting at 8 p.m. ET. Also, great photography.
Thanks–I am really working on photography. I have a LONG way to go, but that compliment means a ton! I hope to party tonight!
Kristen,
These look incredible!! I have some dates and bacon leftover from a party and I can’t wait to make some of these!! I’m stopping by from the Retro Re-Pin Party because I wanted to let you know that I’ll be featuring them at this week’s party over at Sustaining the Powers. It will go live Tuesday night at 8pm ET. Thanks for sharing them with us!
-Stephanie
Yea!! Thanks for the feature Stephanie!! You will love these–so simple and the perfect combo of sweet and salty. See ya at the party 🙂
I just love this appetizer, it is delicious. Thanks so much for starting 2015 with Full Plate Thursday and have a great week.
Happy New Year!
Miz Helen
I’m pretty certain my hubby would die over these bad boys!! 😉 They sound delish!
Thanks Jocelyn! I hope your hubby loves them as much as mine does!!
Yum, yum, yum; so love these!
I love the addition of the almond in place of the removed pit!! Genius!!
Love bacon!! I hate dates but somehow like them when they are wrapped in amazing bacon. 😀
My husband doesn’t like dates or almonds but loves these:)