Bacon-wrapped dates are a little bit fancy, a little bit messy—my kind of snack. I stumbled on this combo years ago, and it’s stuck because it’s weirdly addictive. The sweet, sticky dates paired with smoky, salty bacon feels like a party in your mouth.
What I love is how deceptively simple they are. No fuss, no fussing, just a handful of ingredients that come together fast. They’re perfect for a quick appetizer or a snack that makes you look like you put in effort.
Why I Keep Coming Back to These
They’re my quick fix for gatherings, always a hit. The combo of sweet, smoky, and savory is oddly comforting. Plus, they’re just fun to make—no complicated steps, just a little bit of chaos in the kitchen.
Breaking Down the Magic Ingredients
- Dates: Sweet and sticky, they’re the core that balances the salty bacon.
- Bacon: Smoky, salty, and crispy—wraps everything in a savory hug.
- Cheese (optional): Creamy and tangy, adds a luscious surprise inside the sweet fruit.
- Balsamic glaze (optional): Bright, slightly tart drizzle that cuts through the richness.
- Herbs (like thyme or rosemary): Fresh and fragrant, sprinkle for an herby note.
Tools of the Trade for Bacon-Wrapped Dates
- Sharp paring knife: To pit and stuff the dates cleanly.
- Baking sheet with parchment paper: Ensures easy cleanup and prevents sticking.
- Toothpicks: Secures the bacon around the dates during baking.
- Cooling rack: Letting the bacon-dripped excess drip off, keeping crisp.
Step-by-step to perfect bacon-wrapped dates
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).
Step 2: Pit the dates carefully, making a small slit if necessary.
Step 3: Stuff each date with a small piece of cheese—goat cheese if you like a tangy twist.
Step 4: Wrap each stuffed date with a slice of bacon, securing with a toothpick.
Step 5: Place the wrapped dates on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Step 6: Bake for about 15-20 minutes, until the bacon is crispy and golden.
Step 7: Remove from oven, let sit for 2 minutes to settle.
Step 8: Serve warm, maybe with a drizzle of balsamic or a sprinkle of chopped herbs.
Bacon-Wrapped Dates with Cheese and Balsamic Glaze
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Carefully pit each date with a sharp paring knife, making a small slit if needed. Gently open the date to remove the pit.
- Stuff each pitted date with a small teaspoon of cheese, pressing gently to fill the cavity completely.
- Cut each bacon slice in half lengthwise, creating thin strips perfect for wrapping.
- Wrap each stuffed date with a bacon strip, securing it with a toothpick. Make sure the bacon covers the entire date for a crispy exterior.
- Arrange the bacon-wrapped dates on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly to allow crisping.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the bacon is golden brown and crispy, filling the kitchen with a smoky aroma.
- Remove from the oven and transfer the hot bacon-wrapped dates to a cooling rack. Let them rest for 2 minutes to settle and finish crisping.
- Drizzle the dates with balsamic glaze and sprinkle with chopped herbs if using. The glaze adds a bright, tangy contrast to the rich, crispy bites.
- Serve warm, enjoying the perfect balance of sweet, salty, smoky, and tangy flavors with a crispy exterior and tender interior.
Cues and Checks for Bacon-Wrapped Dates
- Bacon should be crispy and browned, not burnt.
- Dates need to be tender but not mushy; give them a gentle squeeze.
- Cheese should be oozy and inviting—no hard bits.
- Look for a caramelized, shiny surface on the bacon, signaling perfect crispness.
Common Pitfalls and How to Fix Them
- Bacon unravels or falls off.? Use a toothpick to secure bacon if it unwraps during baking.
- Bacon is limp or undercooked.? Bake for a few extra minutes if bacon isn’t crispy.
- Dates explode in the oven.? If dates burst open, reduce oven temperature slightly.
- Overstuffed dates leaking cheese.? Add a sprinkle of fresh herbs if cheese oozes out too much.
These bites are chaos and comfort rolled into one. They’re quick to whip up, but always feel a little special—the kind of thing that sparks conversations or just makes you grin at the sheer simplicity of it. Feel free to swap in different cheeses or even a splash of hot sauce inside the dates for extra punch. Whatever you do, enjoy the sweet-salty dance on your tongue.
I’m Mayank, the creator, cook, and writer behind this blog. FeastChase is not just a collection of recipes — it’s a journey through tastes, memories, and moments that bring people together at the table.