Oh my goodness, are you ready for the absolute best combination of sweet and salty heaven? Seriously, these little bites are going to disappear the second you set them out! When I think about what Rosa Sterling stands for—simple, reliable food that always tastes incredible—these easy bacon-wrapped dates are the poster child. They are truly the ultimate easy party bite. Why work hard when you can have this amazing sweet savory appetizer just baking away? Trust me, everyone asks for the recipe for these fabulous bacon-wrapped dates!
- Why You Will Make These Bacon-Wrapped Dates Again and Again
- Gathering Ingredients for Perfect Bacon-Wrapped Dates
- Equipment Needed for Your Easy Party Bite
- Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Bacon-Wrapped Dates
- Expert Tips for Success with Bacon-Wrapped Dates
- Serving Suggestions for Your Bacon-Wrapped Dates
- Storage and Reheating Instructions for Bacon-Wrapped Dates
- Frequently Asked Questions About This Medjool Date Recipe
- Estimated Nutritional Information for Bacon-Wrapped Dates
Why You Will Make These Bacon-Wrapped Dates Again and Again
You asked for a sophisticated finger food that doesn’t require a culinary degree, and here it is! These little wonders are pure magic for entertaining. They look fancy, but honestly, they take almost no brainpower.
- They are ridiculously fast to assemble—like, ten minutes max.
- That perfect blend means you get that classic sweet savory appetizer experience in one bite.
- They are always the first thing cleared off the platter at any gathering. Everyone loves them!
Gathering Ingredients for Perfect Bacon-Wrapped Dates
Okay, let’s talk about what you need. Because this is a simple recipe, the quality of your ingredients really has to shine through. My big secret here is only using Medjool dates. They are large and sticky, which is exactly what we want for this Medjool date recipe. You need twelve dates, twelve raw almonds for the filling, and six slices of bacon that you will cut in half!
Don’t fuss too much about having everything perfect right now. We’re just gathering supplies! Remember, this basic trio is what creates that famous sweet and salty pop. I’ll tell you more about what you can put inside instead of the almond in the next section.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Bacon-Wrapped Dates
Since we’re using the almond as our classic filling, you don’t need to do anything special to it. Just grab those whole raw almonds and keep them handy. But, if you want to elevate this into an even richer sweet savory appetizer, you might swap that crunch for creaminess.
I absolutely love using a little sliver of creamy blue cheese or soft goat cheese instead of the almond sometimes. That salty tang melts beautifully against the sweet date. Just make sure whatever you pick fits nicely inside once you’ve removed the pit! It’s a small change that makes a huge flavor difference.
Equipment Needed for Your Easy Party Bite
Since this is designed to be an easy party bite, you don’t need a kitchen full of gadgets. Grab a standard baking sheet—that’s what we’re using to bake them up nicely. Definitely line it with parchment paper; it makes cleanup a dream later! You might need toothpicks if your bacon strips are a little fussy and won’t stay wrapped around the date, but that’s it. Simple, right?
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Bacon-Wrapped Dates
Alright, time to get our hands a little sticky! First things first: get that oven preheated to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. We need it hot and ready to crisp up that bacon fast. While it warms, line your baking sheet with parchment paper. I always tell people, preparing your pan properly saves so much scrubbing later—it’s part of making cooking enjoyable, just like Rosa Sterling believes.
Next, we tackle the dates themselves. This is where we need a little care. You want to carefully slice each Medjool date lengthwise down one side and scoop out that pit. Make sure that pit is totally gone, or it won’t sit right when you stuff it! Pop one raw almond right inside that little pocket. Then, take your half-slice of bacon and wrap it all the way around the stuffed date. If it’s being defiant, stab it gently with a toothpick to hold that little bacon blanket on.
Arrange them neatly on your sheet, and then slide them into that hot oven for about 15 to 20 minutes. You’re looking for beautiful, crispy bacon and dates that look plump and soft. That’s when you know you’ve nailed it!
Tips for Achieving Perfectly Crisp Bacon on Your Bacon-Wrapped Dates
The baking time is critical here. You want the bacon fully rendered and brown, not limp and chewy. Keep an eye on them around the 15-minute mark. If, after the full bake time, your bacon still looks a little pale or floppy, don’t panic!
This is my little trick: you can carefully move the tray under the broiler for just a minute or two to get that final, shiny crispness. But listen to me, you have to watch it like a hawk! Broilers move fast, and we want caramelized dates, not charcoal.
Expert Tips for Success with Bacon-Wrapped Dates
Now that you know the basic steps, let me give you a couple of little secrets that really turn these into the stunning tapas-style bites everyone talks about. The biggest mistake I see people make is crowding the pan! If the bacon touches its neighbor, it steams instead of crisps up. You need some space—about an inch between each date should do the trick.
When you wrap them, be sure the bacon overlaps neatly, or your filling might escape. You don’t want that almond popping out before it’s baked! If you see a little gap in the bacon where the date shows too much, just overlap that half-strip a little more securely. Taking these little extra steps ensures every single one of your bacon-wrapped dates comes out perfectly plump, slightly sticky, and wonderfully crisp.
Serving Suggestions for Your Bacon-Wrapped Dates
You just pulled these amazing little guys out of the oven! Don’t serve them piping hot, though, or you risk serious burns (and melting your guests’ faces!). Let them rest on the tray for about five minutes—just enough time for the sugar and fat to set a tiny bit.
These shine best served warm, piled high on a platter with a little dusting of fresh parsley for color. They are phenomenal next to a sharp, tangy accompaniment, like a dollop of balsamic glaze or maybe some extra goat cheese crumbled on the side. They really are the star of any spread!
Storage and Reheating Instructions for Bacon-Wrapped Dates
You know these are so delicious you might actually have leftovers, which is rare! If you do, just let them cool completely first. Then, toss them into a simple airtight container. They keep well in the fridge for about three days. But here’s the thing: that bacon gets soggy in the fridge, right?
To bring back the crunch, don’t bother with the microwave! Pop them on a small baking sheet and warm them in a 350-degree oven for maybe five to seven minutes. You just want the bacon to crisp up again. Watch them closely so you don’t turn the sweet date into a hard little rock!
Frequently Asked Questions About This Medjool Date Recipe
I know you might have a few lingering questions about perfecting these little bites of heaven. It’s always smart to check before you start mixing! Here are some things I get asked all the time when people try to make their first batch of these amazing bacon-wrapped dates.
First up: Can I use regular strip bacon instead of cutting it in half? Yes, you absolutely can! If you use a full strip, just make sure you cut your Medjool dates a bit larger, or you might have to use two toothpicks. I find cutting the bacon in half first makes the wrapping much neater for this *easy party bite*.
Can I prepare these bacon-wrapped dates ahead of time?
You totally can prep them! You can pit them, stuff them with the almond or cheese, and wrap them entirely. Keep them together on a parchment-lined tray in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking. Just remember, don’t bake them until right before your guests arrive so you get that perfect hot-out-of-the-oven result. Storing them unbaked prevents the bacon from going weird!
What other fillings work besides almonds?
Oh, we touched on this, but let’s dive in! Almonds give you that great structural crunch, but if you want a richer *sweet savory appetizer*, try crumbling in some good quality Parmesan cheese, or use that tangy blue cheese we talked about. A small cube of cream cheese works beautifully too. Just make sure whatever you choose isn’t too watery when it bakes!
Do I need toothpicks every time?
Honestly, it depends on the bacon! If you use those thinner, smokier bacon strips, they usually mold right into the date seam perfectly. If you use a thicker, more robust bacon, a toothpick is a lifesaver to secure the wrap while it bakes. Since you should always check our terms before sharing recipes, remember that toothpicks need to be removed before serving these tapas bites!
Estimated Nutritional Information for Bacon-Wrapped Dates
When we talk about feeding our families and friends, transparency matters, even for the little snacks! Because every bacon strip and date size can vary slightly, these numbers are just an estimate for one of these delicious bites using the almond filling. It’s good practice to know what you’re serving, right?
- Calories: 110
- Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Protein: 4g
Just keep in mind that these values reflect the primary recipe. If you decide to swap that almond for blue cheese, those numbers will definitely shift! You can always check out our full privacy policy for more details on how we calculate things here at the kitchen.
PrintEasy Bacon-Wrapped Dates with Almonds
Make these sweet and salty bacon-wrapped dates for a simple, crowd-pleasing appetizer perfect for parties.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Total Time: 30 min
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 12 Medjool dates
- 12 whole raw almonds
- 6 slices bacon, cut in half crosswise
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Carefully slice each date lengthwise and remove the pit.
- Place one almond inside the cavity of each pitted date.
- Wrap one half-slice of bacon around each stuffed date, securing it with a toothpick if necessary.
- Place the wrapped dates on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the bacon is crisp and the dates are soft.
- Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute blue cheese or goat cheese for the almond if you prefer a creamy filling.
- If the bacon does not brown enough, place the dates under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 date
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 120
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 2.5
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.5
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 4
- Cholesterol: 15



