Crispy Bacon-Wrapped Dates
A quick and easy savory-sweet appetizer featuring smoky bacon wrapped around sweet, caramelized Medjool dates, optionally stuffed with cheese and nuts for added flavor and texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings (2 dates per serving)
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- Medjool dates, pitted (choose plump, soft dates)
- Bacon slices (thick-cut recommended)
- Soft cheese (optional, such as cream cheese or goat cheese)
- Almonds or pecans (optional, for stuffing)
- Toothpicks (to secure bacon around dates)
- Black pepper (optional, freshly cracked)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- If dates aren’t pitted, slice them lengthwise on one side and remove the pit carefully.
- Optional: Stuff each date with about 1 teaspoon of soft cheese and/or one whole almond or pecan.
- Cut each bacon strip in half crosswise.
- Wrap each stuffed date with a piece of bacon and secure with a toothpick.
- Place the wrapped dates seam-side down on a wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet.
- Optionally sprinkle freshly cracked black pepper over the dates.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until bacon is golden and crispy but not burnt.
- Remove from oven and let cool on the rack for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
For extra crispy bacon, use a wire rack to allow fat to drip away. Flip dates halfway through baking for even crispiness. Pre-cook very thick bacon for 2-3 minutes if desired. Let dates cool on rack after baking to keep bacon crispy. Reheat leftovers in oven, not microwave, to maintain texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 dates
- Calories: 150
- Fat: 9
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 5
Keywords: bacon-wrapped dates, appetizer, savory-sweet, easy recipe, party food, potluck, snack