Bacon Wrapped Dates Recipe
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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.
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.
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
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
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.
It looks so delicious 🙂 This recipe is so easy and amazing. Thanks for sharing such a nice recipe.
Thank you, Sophia! Glad you enjoyed it.
Would you be able to make these using the air fryer instead of the oven?
Ohh, that’s a great idea!
Has anyone made these without pre-cooking the bacon for 10 minutes then wrapping?
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!!!
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!
The dates I found are dried. Do I rehydrate them?
Dried will work!
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!!
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!
Yesss, that sounds amazing!
Oh yum! Dates and bacon make a perfect combination of sweet and savory in one bite.
We agree, Linda!
I’ve eaten bacon wrapped dates but never made my own. I’m so glad you posted this! I will definitely be trying this.
Yay! Let us know how it goes. 🙂
Bacon wrapped dates works every time! Love your simple to follow recipe!
Thank you!
My absolute fave! Love how easy they are to make. I could easily eat all of them!
Thank you!