Bacon Wrapped Dates Recipe

Name: Bacon Wrapped Dates
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 18 dates (pitted, see Notes); 6 slices bacon (cut into equal thirds, see Notes)

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These 5-Star rated bacon wrapped dates are insanely addictive! They only need 2 ingredients and take just about 5 minutes to prepare, but they’re one of the best ever appetizers. Crispy, salty bacon wrapped around soft, sweet dates? Irresistible and so easy!

Why This Recipe Is So Good

They’re super simple! You only need 2 ingredients and a handful of toothpicks!
They are packed full of flavor! The crispy, salty bacon pairs so perfectly with soft, sweet dates.
They are perfect finger food! They are super easy to pop in your mouth and will completely disappear at every party.
You can use sugar-free bacon to make this appetizer Whole30 or paleo.

What Are The Best Dates To Use?

You can use any type of date. I prefer Deglet Noor for a better bacon-to-date ratio, and they’re often already pitted. But Medjool are delicious and rich, too, with a softer, more substantial flesh. Both will be delicious!

Can You Make This Appetizer Ahead of Time?

This appetizer is best served warm out of the oven, so if you don’t plan on serving them straight away, you can prep them ahead of time. Wrap the dates in the bacon and secure with the cocktail sticks. Place them, covered, in the fridge and then cook them when you are ready. The dates can be kept it the fridge prepped for up to one day. Cooking time may increase by 5 minutes as they will be chilled.

Close up of a pile of bacon wrapped dates

Is This a Healthy Appetizer?

Because the dates don’t need to be wrapped in much bacon, they are surprisingly not an unhealthy choice of appetizer. Each one comes in at around 50 calories and is low in fat, sodium and carbs. Choose all-natural bacon for a healthier appetizer!

Better yet, they’re made with real food and just two ingredients: dates and bacon.

You probably don’t want to eat all eighteen by yourself, but a few definitely won’t hurt!

Chef’s Tips

For paleo or Whole30, use sugar-free bacon. Make sure your bacon is Whole30-compliant if you’re on a round.
You only need a third of a strip of bacon, don’t over do it or it won’t cook through.
Cook them in a pre heated oven for the best results.

Fingers picking up a bacon wrapped date off of a plate

What cheese goes best with dates?

These bacon wrapped dates are delicious plain, but you can take them up a level by filling with almonds, feta, goat cheese, ricotta, mascarpone, cream cheese, or blue cheese. Really, any soft or crumbly cheese will work! Pick your cheese based on whether you’re craving salty, soft and mild, or blue. Yummm.

What if I don’t have toothpicks?

If you don’t have toothpicks or skewers to hold the bacon onto your dates, after wrapping the bacon, place the dates seam-side down to help hold in place.

What type of bacon should I use?

You can use any type of bacon, but use sugar-free bacon if on a Whole30 or paleo diet.

What do you do with Medjool dates?

Medjool dates are so unbelievably rich, soft, and sweet! They’re delicious alone as a snack or on a gourmet cheese plate. You can also wrap them in bacon and bake them for a sweet-salty combo. They’re also excellent for sweetening smoothies or sauces, and they make a great raw caramel dip.

More Easy Appetizers

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5 from 11 votes

Bacon Wrapped Dates

Prep:15 minutes

Cook:20 minutes

Total:35 minutes

These bacon wrapped dates are insanely addictive! They only require 2 ingredients and take just about 5 minutes to prepare, but they're one of the best ever appetizers.

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18 bacon wrapped dates

Ingredients

▢ 18 dates pitted, see Notes
▢ 6 slices bacon cut into equal thirds, see Notes

Equipment

Baking sheet
Wire rack
Sharp knife
18 toothpicks

Instructions

Heat oven to 425° Fahrenheit. Place wire rack in baking sheet. Arrange bacon slices evenly on wire rack.
Bake 10 minutes, or until bacon has rendered some fat but is still floppy. Remove from oven and let cool slightly, or until easily handled.
Wrap each date in piece of bacon, securing with toothpick skewering all the way through both ends, through the bacon. Place all bacon-wrapped dates on wire rack.
Bake 10 minutes or until bacon is rich, orangey-red and firm. Remove from oven and let cool 2 to 3 minutes before serving.

Notes

You can use any type of date. I prefer Deglet Noor for a better bacon-to-date ratio, and they’re often already pitted. But Medjool are delicious and rich, too, with a softer, more substantial flesh.
For paleo or Whole30, use sugar-free bacon. Make sure your bacon is Whole30-compliant if you’re on a round.

Video

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1bacon-wrapped date, Calories: 97kcal, Carbohydrates: 18g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 3g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 5mg, Sodium: 49mg, Potassium: 182mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 16g, Vitamin A: 38IU, Calcium: 16mg, Iron: 1mg, Net Carbs: 16g

Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.