The Recipe Critic

Bacon Wrapped Dates

November 17, 2022

Bacon wrapped dates are the perfect combination of sweet and salty and will be the most talked about appetizer at your next party. Sweet tender dates wrapped in bacon and drizzled with honey and you won’t believe how amazing these are!

I love an easy appetizer that is simple to prepare and tastes incredible. These bacon-wrapped dates are my go-to appetizer because the flavors are so unique. Any appetizer that has bacon in it is always a hit! Try the most amazing 5-minute dip, classic jalapeño poppers with bacon, or these bacon pinwheels.

Top view of bacon wrapped dates on a tan colored plate. A small bowl of honey is on the plate with a tan colored kitchen towel styled next to the plate.

What Are Bacon Wrapped Dates?

The combination of bacon and dates may raise some eyebrows, but I am telling you they are a MUST try recipe. Crispy salty bacon on the outside with a soft plump date on the inside. They are creative, unexpected, and the flavors are out of this world. One bite and you will be hooked!

I love the flavor combinations of sweet and savory! The sweetness added to a savory dish is so delicious becuase it adds so much depth! You have to try these amazing pork chops because they have a sweet apple bacon sauce. I also love these brussel sprouts becuase of the added maple syrup. Or try this maple roasted vegetable recipe, it is SO good!

Ingredients For the BEST Appetizer

This easy appetizer requires very little ingredients. The ingredients needed for these bacon-wrapped dates are simple and you most likely have most of them on hand.  Follow the recipe card for exact measurements and quantities.

  • Medjool dates: Make sure the dates are pitted to make assembling easy. If you can’t find already pitted then make sure you remove the pit before assembling.
  • Bacon: Bacon makes everything taste better! Be sure to cut the bacon into thirds before wrapping each dates.
  • Honey: Honey is delicious added sweetness on top of the bacon! Feel free to use maple syrup if you prefer.
  • Kosher Salt: Garnish with salt while the dates are warm out of the oven. The extra salt helps balance out the sweet and adds great depth and flavor to the dates.
  • Parsley: Fresh chopped parsely is beautiful for garnishing.

Bacon Wrapped Dates Recipe

Assembling these bacon-wrapped dates are easy and FUN!  My kids love to help me make them. Be sure to secure them all with a toothpick so the bacon doesn’t unravel during baking.  It keeps it all nice and secure!  Once they cool, feel free to remove the toothpicks for serving if you would like.

  1. Preheat Oven/Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350° Farhenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper and a baking rack.
  2. Remove Pits If Needed: If you can’t find already pitted dates, slice through the dates and remove any pits that are there. 
  3. Wrap Date With Bacon: Wrap a precut slice of bacon around each date and secure with a toothpick.
  4. Place On Pan: Add the wrapped date to a baking rack on top of a baking sheet pan.
  5. Bake/Rotate: Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the bacon is crispy. If you want to ensure that all parts of the bacon are crispy, turn halfway through the baking time.
  6. Drizzle Honey/Sprinkle Salt: Once they are done, immediately drizzle with additional honey and top with coarse salt to taste.
  7. Cool/Garnish/Serve: Let cool a little bit and then serve with fresh parleys and fresh thyme leaves.

Tips and Variations

Bacon-wrapped dates are simple but are bursting with so much flavor! They are great just the way they are, but there are many different ways to customize this recipe. Follow my tips and variation ideas to help you make the best of this crowd-pleasing appetizer.

  • Avoid Large Dates: Smaller dates are best for this appetizer. The smaller ones are the perfect size and sweetness ratio for the bacon. Trust me on this one!
  • Wrapping Tips: Make sure to cut your bacon so you aren’t wrapping it more than twice around the date. My bacon pieces wrap around the dates 1.5 times. If the bacon is too thick, it won’t cook all the way through or crisp up.
  • Add in Cheese: Creamy cheese tucked inside the date is incredible! Try stuffing the date using cream cheese, blue cheese, or goat cheese. Simply cut a slit halfway through the date, but not all the way through. Stuff the date with any cheese you would like, wrap it tightly with bacon, and follow the remaining instructions on the recipe card.
  • Use Pancetta or Proscutitto: Try replacing the bacon with prosciutto or pancetta. Remember that the thinner the wrapping, the faster the cooking time will be.
  • Add in Nuts: Bacon-wrapped stuffed dates are delicious with cheese but you should try nuts! It is common to see nuts stuffed inside the dates. Add a whole almond or a pecan half for a bit of added crunch.
Close up view of bacon wrapped dates on a tan colored plate. A small bowl of honey is on the plate with a tan colored kitchen towel styled next to the plate. Chopped parsley is sprinkled on top.

Storing Leftover Dates

These bacon-wrapped dates are simple and easy to make ahead of time! I love that I can prepare this appetizer the day before and bake it right before the guests arrive! Follow these steps for storing and making ahead of time!

  • In the Refrigerator: Store leftover bacon-wrapped dates in the refrigerator and reheat for later use. Store in an airtight container.
  • In the Freezer: Bacon-wrapped dates can be made ahead and either refrigerated overnight or frozen. Freeze on a baking sheet and transfer to a freezer storage bag for up to 1 month.
  • To Reheat: Place chilled dates on a sheet pan, then bake at 350° Farenheit for 6-8 minutes. Bake until the dates are warmed through and the bacon is crisp on the outside.
A close up side view of a bacon wrapped date being dipped into a small bowl of honey.

More Bacon-Wrapped Recipes To Try

Bacon-wrapped ANYTHING is always amazing! There are so many unique ways to use bacon, and I have you covered for more yummy recipes. Bacon adds a salty delicious texture and only makes things taste even better.

Print

Bacon Wrapped Dates

Bacon wrapped dates are the perfect combination of sweet and salty and will be the most talked about appetizer at your next party. Sweet tender dates wrapped in bacon and drizzled with honey and you won't believe how amazing these are!
Course Appetizer
Keyword bacon wrapped dates
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 16
Calories 128kcal
Author Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

  • 12 oz. Medjool dates, pitted (smaller dates are best)
  • 1/2 package bacon, pieces cut into thirds
  • 4 Tbsp. honey, or maple syrup
  • kosher salt to taste
  • parsley for garnish

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350° Farhenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper and a baking rack.
  • If you can't find already pitted dates, slice through the dates and remove any pits that are there.
  • Wrap a precut slice of bacon around each date and secure it with a toothpick.
  • Add the wrapped date to a baking rack on top of a baking sheet pan.
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the bacon is crispy. If you want to ensure that all parts of the bacon are crispy, turn halfway through the baking time.
  • Once they are done, immediately drizzle with additional honey if you would like then top with coarse salt to taste.
  • Let the dates cool a little bit then serve with fresh chopped parsley!

Nutrition

Serving: 1date | Calories: 128kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 92mg | Potassium: 177mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 37IU | Vitamin C: 0.02mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 0.3mg

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