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!
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!
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.
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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
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
- Remove the pit from the dates
- Wrap each date in a half or whole slice of bacon
- Place them on a lined oven tray seam-side down - this way they will stay wrapped up while they cook
- 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.
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
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).
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.
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
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
Bacon Wrapped Dates
Print RateIngredients
- 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 across12 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)
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
Nutritional information is approximate and automatically calculated, and should only be viewed as an indication.
Terelyn
Put a little Feta cheese inside the date. Its delicious!
Emmeline Kemperyd
Sounds amazing! I usually do a mix of some with bacon and some with feta, but haven't tried combining it yet 🙂 /Emmeline