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    Home » Appetizers

    Bacon Wrapped Dates (Devils on Horseback)

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on August 8, 2022, updated November 15, 2023 - 2 Comments

    Total time: 25 minutes minutes
    Prep time: 5 minutes minutes
    5 from 4 votes
    Jump to Recipe

    These super easy Bacon Wrapped Dates are made from just 2 ingredients and will be the star of any dinner party. Sweet & salty and just the right size, there's just never enough of them!

    top down view of bacon wrapped dates on a plate

    I'm not sure when I had my first bacon-wrapped date, but I know it was a long time ago. Mallorca -07, perhaps? Or even earlier? Who knows!

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    By now they're such an ingrained part of my repertoire that when shopping for any dinner party these ingredients just end up in my bag without me even thinking. It's so easy, you know?

    Everyone loves them, and they're the perfect party appetizer to snack on while the main dinner's getting ready. Just make sure you make enough, these always go quickly!

    A delicious appetizer on its own, and even better as one in a tasty snackable spread alongside favorites like baked brie and smoked salmon paté.

    Jump to:
    • Why you will love this recipe
    • What you need to make them
    • How to make them
    • Tips & tricks
    • Recipe FAQ
    • Possible variations
    • More snackable appetizers
    • Recipe
    • Reviews

    Why you will love this recipe

    • It's so, so easy - you won't believe it
    • It's so quick - just a few minutes of prep and 15-20 minutes in the oven
    • Salty & sweet is a winning combination
    • Everyone loves them - yes, they will be the first thing to finish

    What you need to make them

    ingredients for bacon wrapped dates

    Ingredient notes

    • Fresh dates - I prefer Medjool dates with the pit intact
    • Bacon slices - you can do one strip or half a strip of bacon per date, I usually do half. If you use whole pieces of bacon, they will need at least 20 minutes in the oven.

    How to make them

    how to make bacon wrapped dates
    1. Remove the pit from the dates
    2. Wrap each date in a half or whole slice of bacon
    3. Place them on a lined oven tray seam-side down - this way they will stay wrapped up while they cook
    4. Cook in the middle of the oven at 440°F (225°C) for 15-20 minutes, turning once halfway. When done, there will be a lot of fat on the parchment paper that's run off the bacon - that's normal.
    clolse up of bacon wrapped dates

    Tips & tricks

    • Prep ahead by placing uncooked bacon wrapped dates in the fridge for up to 24 hours, and then cooking in a preheated oven for 20-25 minutes
    • Make them all the way ahead of time and just heat up in the oven or microwave just before serving - they will still taste amazing!
    • Load the dates with cheese for an extra treat - blue cheese, goat cheese, cream cheese and Feta cheese are great options
    • Serve with toothpicks so your guests can easily grab them
    • Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days
    • Heat leftovers in the oven or microwave
    • For vegetarians, make these Feta Stuffed Dates instead

    Recipe FAQ

    Why are bacon wrapped dates called Devils on Horseback?

    Bacon wrapped dates are sometimes called "Devils on Horseback" since it emerged as a new version of the dish "Angels on Horseback" (oysters wrapped in bacon).

    What kind of cheese goes with dates?

    Dates go great with many types of cheese. The sweet dates have a mild flavor that pairs great with milder cheeses like Feta cheese, goat cheese like chèvre, and is also delicious with more pungent blue cheeses like Stilton and St Agur.

    Can you freeze dates wrapped in bacon?

    Yes, you can freeze dates wrapped in bacon. Freeze them individually and then pack in bags in the freezer.

    Possible variations

    There are so many ways you can vary this recipe - here are some of my favorites:

    • Skip the bacon and just fill the dates with cheese - I love Feta Stuffed Dates but you can also use a blue cheese like gorgonzola or roquefort, or a goat cheese like chèvre
    • Fill the dates with cheese and then wrap them in bacon - for an extra indulgent treat
    • Swap the pit for a nut (for example a whole almond or pecan) and then wrap the dates in bacon, for a delicious crunch
    • Brush them with honey or maple syrup for an extra sweet touch
    a blue plate with bacon wrapped dates

    More snackable appetizers

    Looking for more snackable appetizers you can make with little time & effort?

    • Shrimp Scampi without Wine
    • Salmon Tartare
    • Air Fryr Spring Rolls
    • Air Fryer Potato Wedges
    • Smoked Salmon Pâté

    Did you love this recipe? Rate it five stars!
    ...and let me know what you loved about it in the comments.

    Recipe

    top down view of bacon wrapped dates on a plate

    Bacon Wrapped Dates

    5 from 4 votes
    Print Rate
    Course: Snack
    Cuisine: spanish
    Diet: Gluten Free
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 89kcal
    Prep time: 5 minutes mins
    Cook time: 20 minutes mins
    Total time: 25 minutes minutes
    Author: Emmeline Kemperyd
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 12 Medjool dates*
    • 6 strips bacon

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 440°F (225°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
    • Pit the dates and slice the bacon in half across
      12 Medjool dates*, 6 strips bacon
    • Wrap each date in half a slice of bacon. Place them on the baking sheet seam-side down.
    • Cook in the middle of the oven for 15-20 minutes or until the bacon is cooked and a bit crispy. Turn once halfway. Serve immediately!

    Equipment (may contain affiliate links)

    • Baking sheet*

    Video

    Notes

     

    Ingredient notes

    • Fresh dates - I prefer Medjool dates with the pit intact
    • Bacon slices - you can do one strip or half a strip of bacon per date, I usually do half. If you use whole pieces of bacon, they will need at least 20 minutes in the oven.
     

    Tips & tricks

    • Prep ahead by placing uncooked bacon wrapped dates in the fridge for up to 24 hours, and then cooking in a preheated oven for 20-25 minutes
    • Make them all the way ahead of time and just heat up in the oven or microwave just before serving - they will still taste amazing!
    • Load the dates with cheese for an extra treat - blue cheese, goat cheese, cream cheese and Feta cheese are great options
    • Serve with toothpicks so your guests can easily grab them
    • Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days
    • Heat leftovers in the oven or microwave
    • For vegetarians, make these Feta Stuffed Dates instead

    Nutrition

    Calories: 89kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 37mg | Potassium: 178mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 36IU | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 1mg

    Nutritional information is approximate and automatically calculated, and should only be viewed as an indication.

    Did you make this? Tag me today!Tag @alwaysusebutter and use the hashtag #alwaysusebutter!

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    • Air fryer nachos.
      Air Fryer Nachos With Tajin
    • Baked brie.
      Air Fryer Baked Brie
    • Baked brie topped with nuts and cranberries,
      How to Bake Brie

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has more than 20 years of experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN  and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, Daily Kos, The Grio, The Asian Parent, and The Feed Feed, among others.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Terelyn

      February 03, 2025 at 5:30 am

      Put a little Feta cheese inside the date. Its delicious!

      Reply
      • Emmeline Kemperyd

        February 03, 2025 at 6:24 am

        Sounds amazing! I usually do a mix of some with bacon and some with feta, but haven't tried combining it yet 🙂 /Emmeline

        Reply
    5 from 4 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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