Bacon wrapped dates are the perfect combination of sweet and salty and will be the most talked about appetizer at your next party. Sweet tender dates wrapped in bacon and drizzled with honey and you won’t believe how amazing these are! I love an easy appetizer that is simple to prepare and tastes incredible. These bacon-wrapped dates are my go-to appetizer because the flavors are so unique. Any appetizer that has bacon in it is always a hit! Try the most amazing 5-minute dip, classic jalapeño poppers with bacon, or these bacon pinwheels.
What Are Bacon Wrapped Dates?
The combination of bacon and dates may raise some eyebrows, but I am telling you they are a MUST try recipe. Crispy salty bacon on the outside with a soft plump date on the inside. They are creative, unexpected, and the flavors are out of this world. One bite and you will be hooked! I love the flavor combinations of sweet and savory! The sweetness added to a savory dish is so delicious becuase it adds so much depth! You have to try these amazing pork chops because they have a sweet apple bacon sauce. I also love these brussel sprouts becuase of the added maple syrup. Or try this maple roasted vegetable recipe, it is SO good!
Ingredients For the BEST Appetizer
This easy appetizer requires very little ingredients. The ingredients needed for these bacon-wrapped dates are simple and you most likely have most of them on hand. Follow the recipe card for exact measurements and quantities.
Medjool dates: Make sure the dates are pitted to make assembling easy. If you can’t find already pitted then make sure you remove the pit before assembling.Bacon: Bacon makes everything taste better! Be sure to cut the bacon into thirds before wrapping each dates.Honey: Honey is delicious added sweetness on top of the bacon! Feel free to use maple syrup if you prefer.Kosher Salt: Garnish with salt while the dates are warm out of the oven. The extra salt helps balance out the sweet and adds great depth and flavor to the dates.Parsley: Fresh chopped parsely is beautiful for garnishing.
Bacon Wrapped Dates Recipe
Assembling these bacon-wrapped dates are easy and FUN! My kids love to help me make them. Be sure to secure them all with a toothpick so the bacon doesn’t unravel during baking. It keeps it all nice and secure! Once they cool, feel free to remove the toothpicks for serving if you would like.
Avoid Large Dates: Smaller dates are best for this appetizer. The smaller ones are the perfect size and sweetness ratio for the bacon. Trust me on this one!Wrapping Tips: Make sure to cut your bacon so you aren’t wrapping it more than twice around the date. My bacon pieces wrap around the dates 1.5 times. If the bacon is too thick, it won’t cook all the way through or crisp up.Add in Cheese: Creamy cheese tucked inside the date is incredible! Try stuffing the date using cream cheese, blue cheese, or goat cheese. Simply cut a slit halfway through the date, but not all the way through. Stuff the date with any cheese you would like, wrap it tightly with bacon, and follow the remaining instructions on the recipe card.Use Pancetta or Proscutitto: Try replacing the bacon with prosciutto or pancetta. Remember that the thinner the wrapping, the faster the cooking time will be.Add in Nuts: Bacon-wrapped stuffed dates are delicious with cheese but you should try nuts! It is common to see nuts stuffed inside the dates. Add a whole almond or a pecan half for a bit of added crunch.
In the Refrigerator: Store leftover bacon-wrapped dates in the refrigerator and reheat for later use. Store in an airtight container.In the Freezer: Bacon-wrapped dates can be made ahead and either refrigerated overnight or frozen. Freeze on a baking sheet and transfer to a freezer storage bag for up to 1 month.To Reheat: Place chilled dates on a sheet pan, then bake at 350° Farenheit for 6-8 minutes. Bake until the dates are warmed through and the bacon is crisp on the outside.
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All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods and portion sizes per household.