These Bacon Wrapped Dates combine sweet Medjool dates, creamy garlic herb cheese, and crisp bacon for an appetizer that hits sweet, salty, and savory in every bite. They bake quickly in the oven and come out caramelized on the outside with a warm, creamy center.
A Quick Look at the Recipe
✅ Recipe Name: Bacon Wrapped Dates
🕒 Ready In: ~30 minutes
👪 Serves: 24 pieces
🍽 Calories: ~95 per date (estimated)
🥣 Main Ingredients: Medjool dates, bacon, garlic herb cheese, honey
📖 Dietary Info: Gluten-free
👌 Difficulty: Easy - stuff, wrap, and bake
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Filling the dates with garlic herb cheese adds richness and structure, while a light brush of honey enhances the natural sweetness of the dates and helps the bacon caramelize. A touch of fresh rosemary and red pepper flakes balances the richness with herbal and subtle heat.
If you enjoy appetizers like these, you might also like our Cranberry Whipped Feta Dip, Gluten-Free Crab Cakes, Cranberry Pecan Cheeseball, or Roasted Red Pepper Hummus. These easy appetizers are perfect for entertaining and pair well on a party spread or holiday table.
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Why You'll Love Bacon Wrapped Dates:
Perfect Sweet-Savory Balance: Naturally sweet Medjool dates pair with salty bacon and creamy garlic herb cheese in every bite.
Simple but Elevated: A short ingredient list creates an appetizer that feels special without complicated prep.
Crispy and Creamy Texture: Crisp bacon on the outside with a warm, soft center once baked.
Great for Entertaining: Easy to assemble ahead of time and bake just before serving.
Always a Crowd Favorite: These disappear fast at parties, holidays, and game day gatherings.
Key Ingredients:
- 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.
- rosemary. Finely chopped to infuse the glaze with earthy flavor, pairs perfectly with the bacon and honey.
Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this page for exact quantities.
Easy Substitutions & Variations:
- Different cheese: Swap garlic herb cheese for goat cheese, cream cheese, blue cheese, or feta.
- No honey: Skip the honey glaze or use maple syrup for a slightly deeper sweetness.
- Spicy option: Add extra red pepper flakes or a thin slice of jalapeño inside each date.
- Herb swap: Use thyme or sage instead of rosemary for a different herbal note.
- Air fryer method: Cook at 375°F for 10-12 minutes, turning halfway, until the bacon is crisp.
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.
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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.
Bacon Wrapped Dates FAQs:
Yes. Bacon wrapped dates can be assembled up to 24 hours in advance. Arrange them on a baking sheet, cover tightly, and refrigerate. Bake just before serving for the best texture.
Place each bacon wrapped date seam-side down on the baking sheet so the bacon cooks closed. Using a wire rack also helps the bacon crisp evenly without shifting.
Yes. Bacon wrapped dates can be cooked in an air fryer at 375°F for 10-12 minutes, turning halfway, until the bacon is crisp.
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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 fresh 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.
Mason says
The bacon turned out perfectly crisp and the dates were soft and sweet inside. The sweet and salty combo is so good and they disappeared fast at our table. Such an easy appetizer that feels fancy.