Bacon Wrapped Dates
This Bacon-Wrapped Dates recipe is an easy appetizer packed full of incredible taste. The perfect combination of sweet, savory and salty flavor, this takes a cheese-stuffed date and wraps it in a piece of bacon.
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It is simply incredible how much flavor is in these little bites. Our favorite thing about this easy appetizer is that you can make it in just about a half hour.
The important thing is the flavor. With garlic herb cheese in the center of the date providing savory flavor, the date providing sweetness, and perhaps the best part, a strip of bacon tying it all together. It gets better! The wrapped bacon is then brushed with honey, providing natural sweetness and a bit of caramelization.
Not only does the concoction of different flavors impress in this tasty appetizer, but the texture, too. The softness of the cheese and date gives way to a little crunch from the salty bacon and caramelized honey.
As a tip, we’ve found that it does matter what kind of bacon you use. The thickness of your bacon can have an effect on how your dish turns out. If it’s too thick, it may not crisp up as well as you’d like!
You can modify some of the flavors, like using maple syrup instead of honey, which goes great with a smoky bacon. You can also use a tangy cheese like feta cheese.
Bacon Wrapped Dates are a good food to serve during the holiday season, especially for dinner parties. This savory bite of goodness is a perfect appetizer and I promise they will go quick!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
Sweet, salty, and savory: The perfect party bite, caramelized bacon wrapped around warm, sweet dates stuffed with creamy cheese.
Crowd-pleasing appetizer: Always the first to disappear at gatherings, potlucks, or holiday spreads.
Easy to assemble: Just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep.
Baked, not fried: Oven-baked for crispy bacon without the mess.
Elevated flavor: A drizzle of honey, rosemary, and chili flakes adds a gourmet finish.
Ingredients to Make Bacon Wrapped Dates:
- bacon slices. Regular-cut bacon works best; thick-cut takes longer to cook and won’t crisp up as easily. Cut each slice in half to wrap around the dates.
- medijool dates. Naturally sweet and soft, look for fresh, plump dates and make sure they’re pitted before stuffing.
- garlic herb cheese. A soft, spreadable cheese like Boursin or herbed goat cheese adds creamy, savory contrast to the sweet dates.
- honey. Adds a sticky-sweet glaze that caramelizes while baking.
- rosemary. Finely chopped to infuse the glaze with earthy flavor, pairs perfectly with the bacon and honey.
- red pepper flakes. Adds subtle heat to balance the sweetness, adjust to taste or omit for a milder bite.
How to Make Bacon Wrapped Dates:
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and place a wire rack on top (optional, for crispier bacon).
- Slice each pitted date open lengthwise with a small paring knife, being careful not to cut all the way through. Fill each date with about ½–1 teaspoon of garlic herb cheese. Gently press closed.
- Wrap each stuffed date with a half slice of bacon and place seam-side down on the baking sheet. Lightly brush the tops of each bacon-wrapped date with the honey glaze.
- Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until bacon is crisp and caramelized.
- Let cool for a few minutes before serving. Optionally, brush with a little extra glaze just before serving for added shine and flavor.
Recipe Notes & Tips:
- Use a wire rack if possible: It helps the bacon crisp up evenly all around and prevents sogginess on the bottom.
- Don’t overfill the dates: A small amount of cheese goes a long way, overstuffing can cause them to burst while baking.
- Secure with toothpicks if needed: If your bacon doesn’t stay wrapped, insert a toothpick through each date before baking (just remember to remove before serving).
- Bake until deeply golden: The bacon should be fully rendered and slightly crisp, if it needs more time, bake in 2-minute increments until done.
- Double the batch: These go fast at parties, consider making extra!
- Make ahead tip: Assemble and brush with glaze up to 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate, then bake just before serving.
Serving Suggestions:
- Roasted Acorn Squash
- Pecan Pie Bars
- Crab Stuffed Mushrooms
- Homemade Eggnog Recipe
- Cranberry Pecan Cheeseball
How to Store:
Refrigerator: Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Freeze before or after baking, just place in a single layer until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 1 month.
Reheat: Warm in a 350°F oven for 8–10 minutes, or until heated through and bacon is crisp. If frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
FAQs:
Garlic herb cheese like Boursin or whipped herbed goat cheese works best. Cream cheese can be used, but it’s milder in flavor.
It’s not recommended, thick-cut bacon takes longer to crisp and may not fully render before the dates overcook. Stick with regular-cut or thin-cut bacon.
They’re best served warm or at room temperature. The bacon is crispest fresh out of the oven, but they’re still tasty once cooled.
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Bacon Wrapped Dates
Ingredients
- 12 bacon slices, halfed
- 24 medijool dates, pitted
- 4 ounces garlic herb cheese
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 tablespoon rosemary
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and place a wire rack on top (optional, for crispier bacon).
- Slice each pitted date open lengthwise, being careful not to cut all the way through. Fill each date with about ½–1 teaspoon of garlic herb cheese. Gently press closed.
- Wrap each stuffed date with a half slice of bacon and place seam-side down on the baking sheet. Lightly brush the tops of each bacon-wrapped date with the honey glaze.
- Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until bacon is crisp and caramelized.
- Let cool for a few minutes before serving. Optionally, brush with a little extra glaze just before serving for added shine and flavor.
Nutrition
Notes
- Use a wire rack if possible: It helps the bacon crisp up evenly all around and prevents sogginess on the bottom.
- Don’t overfill the dates: A small amount of cheese goes a long way, overstuffing can cause them to burst while baking.
- Secure with toothpicks if needed: If your bacon doesn’t stay wrapped, insert a toothpick through each date before baking (just remember to remove before serving).
- Bake until deeply golden: The bacon should be fully rendered and slightly crisp, if it needs more time, bake in 2-minute increments until done.
- Double the batch: These go fast at parties, consider making extra!
- Make ahead tip: Assemble and brush with glaze up to 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate, then bake just before serving.
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