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 These Bacon Wrapped Dates Are 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.
How To Make This Recipe
- Heat oven to 425º. Place a wire rack over a baking sheet. Arrange the bacon slices, cut into thirds, evenly over the wire rack.
- Bake 10 minutes, or until the bacon has rendered some of its fat but is still floppy. Remove from oven and let cool slightly or until easily handled.
- Wrap each date in a piece of bacon, securing with a toothpick skewering all the way through both ends, through the bacon. Place them on the wire rack.
- Bake 10 minutes or until bacon is a rich, orangey-red and firm. Remove from oven and let cool a few minutes before serving.
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.
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!
Top Tips For Making
- 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.
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.
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.
You can use any type of bacon, but use sugar-free bacon if on a Whole30 or paleo diet.
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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Bacon Wrapped Dates
Equipment
- 18 toothpicks
Ingredients
- 18 dates, pitted See Note
- 6 slices bacon, cut into equal thirds See Note
Instructions
- Heat oven to 425 degrees Place a wire rack over a baking sheet. Arrange the bacon slices, cut into thirds, evenly over the wire rack.
- Bake 10 minutes, or until the bacon has rendered some of its fat but is still floppy. Remove from oven and let cool slightly or until easily handled.
- Wrap each date in a piece of bacon, securing with a toothpick skewering all the way through both ends, through the bacon. Place all bacon-wrapped dates on the wire rack.
- Bake 10 minutes or until bacon is a rich, orangey-red and firm. Remove from oven and let cool a few minutes before serving.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Cheryl Malik is the recipe developer, writer, and photographer behind the healthy, flavorful, family friendly recipes at 40 Aprons. She’s been a blogger for 10+ years and is known for her delicious recipes and detailed recipe instructions. Cheryl is a mom of three who lives in Memphis, TN.
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Christie says
Would you be able to make these using the air fryer instead of the oven?
Savannah | 40 Aprons Team says
Ohh, that’s a great idea!
Natasha says
Has anyone made these without pre-cooking the bacon for 10 minutes then wrapping?
Dale says
I bake in the toaster oven for 3 mnts, then flip the bacon, and bake for 1 mnt longer. These are fabulous. Many times I just eat these for a lunch…so good!!!
Barbara says
I made these as an appetizer to take to our friends for dinner and they were a big hit. I did not precook the bacon. I lined a cookie sheet with foil and baked them for 10 minutes then flipped them over and baked them for another 10 minutes. They turned out perfect!
Nat says
The dates I found are dried. Do I rehydrate them?
Savannah | 40 Aprons Team says
Dried will work!
Becky says
I basically just cook from your website. I cannot believe the things my kids will eat when I make them from your blog!! Some of my very fave meals are from here! Thanks so much for your work!!
jen says
I need these in my life . . mom used to make a similar appetizer, but I’m thinking 3 or 4 or 5 would be so excellent on a salad with blue cheese!
Cheryl Malik says
Yesss, that sounds amazing!
Linda says
Oh yum! Dates and bacon make a perfect combination of sweet and savory in one bite.
Cheryl Malik says
We agree, Linda!
Katherine | Love In My Oven says
I’ve eaten bacon wrapped dates but never made my own. I’m so glad you posted this! I will definitely be trying this.
Cheryl Malik says
Yay! Let us know how it goes. 🙂
Joni Gomes says
Bacon wrapped dates works every time! Love your simple to follow recipe!
Cheryl Malik says
Thank you!
paleoglutenfreeguy says
My absolute fave! Love how easy they are to make. I could easily eat all of them!
Cheryl Malik says
Thank you!