Bacon Wrapped Dates with Cream Cheese
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Sweet dates, salty bacon, and creamy cheese come together with a little crunch from roasted almonds, in these bacon-wrapped dates. Delicious as an appetizer for holiday entertaining and a guaranteed crowd pleaser, they look fancy but come together easily.
I make these bacon-wrapped dates at least a couple of times during the holidays. And usually a double batch because I’m going to eat half of them immediately after they come out of the oven. After all, if I add a salad with them then it’s lunch!
The filling in stuffed date recipes can be all different types of cheese. Many use creamy goat cheese or blue cheese, but my favorite is a filling made with plain cream cheese. It compliments the other ingredients while letting the flavors of the smoky bacon and sweet dates shine through.
This bite-sized appetizer is perfect for the holiday season, new year’s eve, or a fun dinner party. Give these bacon-wrapped dates with cream cheese a try and find out why they’re a favorite snack in our house. Make them with my stuffed mushrooms and some and call these dates your dinner. They’re that good.
Ingredients
- Sliced bacon – No need to get thick sliced bacon. Buy your favorite brand of bacon for this recipe.
- Large, pitted dates – If you can’t find pitted dates, just follow the directions below only instead of checking for pits – actually remove them. 😉 They pop right out.
- Cream cheese – Regular cream cheese or low fat cream cheese both work great here.
- Roasted almonds – These give the filling a little bit of crunch which helps break up all of the creaminess from the dates and cheese. Cashews and walnuts work well in this recipe in place of the almonds. Don’t use peanuts or pecans. Their flavor is too overwhelming for this dish.
- Garlic powder – A little garlic powder makes savory dishes all the more delicious. I love what it adds to the filling in this recipe.
How to Make Bacon Wrapped Dates
Using kitchen shears or a small paring knife, cut each date lengthwise on one side. (See image below.) As you do this, check for any remaining pits or hard pieces on the end of the dates. Remove any excess pits and/or hard pieces. Set dates aside.
In a small bowl, combine cream cheese, and garlic powder. Finely chop almonds. Add to cream cheese and mix until thoroughly combined. Set aside.
Open package of bacon. Cut each slice of bacon in half. Set aside.
Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Place wire rack on top of parchment paper and spray rack with cooking spray.
To Assemble the Stuffed Dates
Open date slightly at the cut and place aprox ½ teaspoon of cream cheese mixture inside. Press seam together to seal slightly. (Dates should be full but not overflowing.)
Place stuffed date onto the end of a piece of bacon, roll up lengthwise and secure bacon with a toothpick, if needed. Place date onto prepared wrack. Repeat with the remaining dates.
Bake in a 400 degree oven until bacon is cooked through. Remove toothpicks, if used. Serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy!
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Bacon Wrapped Dates with Cream Cheese
Ingredients
- 36 large dates, pitted
- 3 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 Tbsp roasted almonds, aprox 30 almonds
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 2 lbs sliced bacon, not thick sliced
Instructions
- Using kitchen shears or a small paring knife, cut each date lengthwise on one side. As you do this, check for any remaining pits or hard pieces on the end of the dates. Remove any excess pits and/or hard pieces. Set dates aside.36 large dates
- In a small bowl, combine cream cheese, and garlic powder.3 oz cream cheese, 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Finely chop almonds. Add to cream cheese and mix until thoroughly combined. Set aside.2 Tbsp roasted almonds
- Open package of bacon. Cut all of the bacon slices in half. Set aside.2 lbs sliced bacon
- Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Place wire rack on top of parchment paper and spray rack with cooking spray.
- Heat oven to 400 degrees.
To assemble
- Open date slightly at the cut and place aprox ½ teaspoon of cream cheese mixture inside. Press seam together to seal slightly. (Dates should be full but not overflowing.)
- Place stuffed date onto the end of a piece of bacon, roll up lengthwise and secure bacon with a toothpick.
- Place date onto prepared wrack. Repeat with the rest of the dates.
Bake
- Bake dates for 20-25 minutes or until bacon is cooked through.
- Remove toothpicks. Serve warm or at room temperature.
- Enjoy!
Recipe Tips
Make this recipe nut free by leaving out the almonds. I like the texture that nuts add to this dates recipe, but you can easily leave them out and still have a delicious, easy appetizer.
Use a small spoon, like a teaspoon, to stuff your dates. There’s no need to get out a piping bag. This recipe isn’t that fussy. Use a spoon to place the cheese mixture inside the dates and don’t worry if a little ends up on the outside of the date. The bacon will hide that.
Be sure you’re using a rimmed baking sheet and not a cookie sheet. Fat will drip off the bacon and you need sides on your baking sheet to make sure it doesn’t run all over your oven and make a huge mess.
Making Bacon Wrapped Dates Ahead of Time
You can make these dates up to 24 hours ahead and reheat in a 300 degree oven for 5-7 minutes before serving. You can also save time by cutting the dates and making the filling up to 3 days in advance, then just assemble and bake the night you want to serve them.
Drink Pairing for Bacon Wrapped Dates
Salty, creamy, bacon-wrapped dates pair well with a tart cocktail. Try a classic Bee’s Knee’s Cocktail, my tart Green Apple Martini, or a pitcher of Apple Cider Sangria. Looking for something non-alcoholic? Shake up a Cinderella Mocktail, a Blueberry Grapefruit Mocktail, or make a pitcher of our family’s favorite Pomegranate Lemonade.
Looking for More Easy Appetizers?
Round out the appetizer spread at your next party by adding a few of these easy appetizer recipes to your table.
I made these on New Year’s Day for snacking and they were really yummy! The cream cheese mix is just the right amount of creamy & crunch and works well with the bacon. I’ll for sure make these again
So happy to hear you liked them!