How long it takes: 55 minutes Equipment you’ll need: toothpicks, sheet pan, oven-proof wire rack Servings: 10 (3 dates each) I served these stuffed dates as an appetizer at a belated family Christmas party that finally happened in January (Christmas break colds and fevers are the worst!). These were a huge hit! I was sort of hoping there would be a few left for my breakfast but that was just wishful thinking.
Delicious Bacon Wrapped Dates
Sweet, savory, and smoky. A trifecta of deliciousness! Bacon wrapped dates have an irresistible combination of flavors, and each element is perfectly balanced. In my opinion, the brown sugar spice rub is what really makes this recipe stand out. It drives that salty-sweet combination home and adds that extra something. Contrasting textures. Flavor is important but textures matter a lot too—and like flavor, you want balance here. The chewy dates, gooey cheese, and crisp bacon give you a little bit of everything you want in a party snack. Can be made ahead. You can prep this appetizer ahead and bake it immediately before serving, which is immensely helpful when hosting a party because it frees up your time for more demanding tasks. Perfect for any occasion. Bacon wrapped dates are equally at home with game day foods as they are with more elevated apps for a formal party. They’re versatile like that.
Ingredient Notes
Dates: I used Deglet Noor dates which are smaller and firmer than Medjool dates. They’re also slightly less expensive. Store unopened containers in the pantry but once you open the package, dates should be refrigerated. Thick-cut bacon: I tested both regular and thick-cut bacon for this recipe. We liked the thicker slices much better because when the bacon-wrapped dates are baked, the more thinly sliced bacon seemed to almost disappear. We were much happier with results using thick-cut bacon. Goat cheese: Buy a log of plain goat cheese. We also tested other types of cheese but found that “melting” types of cheese had a tendency to ooze out of the dates and became tough and chewy. Goat cheese stays inside the dates. Dark brown sugar: Dark brown sugar has more molasses flavor than light which means it stands up better to the other big flavors in this recipe. That said, light brown sugar is fine too. Spices: The spices we chose, chili powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne, have a little bit of heat which works really well with the sweet dates, bacon, and cheese. The spices are mixed with brown sugar and used as a rub. Wooden toothpicks: You’ll need one toothpick per date to pin the bacon in place. They also make a nice little handle for serving.
How to Make Bacon Wrapped Dates
Prepare. Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a sheet pan with foil. Set a wire rack over the baking sheet and coat it with nonstick spray. These two steps will make your life a lot easier when it comes to clean-up time. Make a pocket in the dates. Use a sharp paring knife to cut a slit into the side of each date. While you’re doing this, you can make sure the pits have all been removed. Occasionally, you’ll find a stray pit or remnant of a pit and no one wants to bite down on one of those! Stuff the dates. Tuck ¾ teaspoon of goat cheese into the slit that you cut in the dates. I know that doesn’t sound like a lot of cheese but if you try to squeeze in too much cheese, you won’t be able to pinch the edges of the dates together. Wrap the dates. Cut the bacon into thirds. Wrap a piece of bacon around each date, closing up the cheese-stuffed slit as much as possible. Use a toothpick to hold the bacon in place. Refer to the photos to see how to do it. You want the cut side of the date facing up and the ends of the bacon facing down. That way the cheese doesn’t run out as it melts. You can stick the toothpick all the way into the date. It works perfectly as a little handle to hold the appetizer when it’s served. Make the rub. Whisk the brown sugar, chili powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne in a small bowl, breaking up any clumps of brown sugar. Coat the dates. Roll the dates in the brown sugar rub; use gentle pressure to make sure it sticks. Bake. If you’re serving them right away, bake the stuffed dates in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the bacon is crisp. Let the baked dates cool for five minutes (or longer if you want) before serving them. You don’t want to burn yourself or your guests with the hot goat cheese!
Recipe Variations
Change up the spice rub. If you want more spice than sugar, you can double the spices in this recipe. Maple sugar would also be delicious in the rub if you happen to have it on hand, or add extra cayenne for more heat. Try another cheese. As I mentioned above, I like to stuff these with goat cheese because it doesn’t run out of the dates when it’s heated. If you aren’t a fan of goat cheese, try another soft cheese, such as cream cheese, feta, gorgonzola or blue cheese. Substitute almonds. I’ve also seen bacon wrapped dates stuffed with an almond instead of cheese, and this is another great choice.. Almonds have a nice crunch and are really terrific with the sweet dates and salty bacon.
Serving Ideas
Whether you’re having a cocktail party or a Super Bowl party, you’ll want to have a nice selection of appetizers and cocktails. Here are a few suggestions (it’s by no means an exhaustive list!).
Appetizers. Sausage pinwheels are another fun finger food, and butternut squash crostini with ricotta are always popular at parties. Actually, crostini with any topping is a good idea and they are super versatile. Bacon wrapped water chestnuts with a tangy barbecue sauce are a great choice. Scroll down for more appetizer ideas below. Cocktails. Negroni cocktails make an excellent pairing with bacon wrapped dates. We also love this festive vanilla bourbon fizz or an apple cider mule (fall Moscow mule). Simple white wine spritzers are always a hit. Dips. I wouldn’t necessarily dip the bacon wrapped dates (although you could) but I don’t think any party spread is complete without at least one dip. Try this crab rangoon dip (it’s amazing!) or slow cooker spinach artichoke dip.
Storage & Reheating
Refrigerate: Store leftover bacon wrapped dates in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat: I like to reheat these bacon wrapped dates in the air fryer at 350ºF, but the regular oven works too; just remember to keep the slit side up so the cheese doesn’t spill out and don’t overheat them. Quick-Start Guide!
