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    Home » Recent Posts » Appetizers & Snacks

    Easy Bacon Wrapped Dates Appetizer Recipe

    Published: Oct 28, 2020 · Updated: Nov 8, 2022 by Katy McAvoy

    I love when you share my recipes!

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    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

    Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I make a small commission.


    Made with simple ingredients, bacon-wrapped dates are the perfect appetizer for holiday entertaining and a guaranteed crowd pleaser.

    A plate of bacon wrapped dates.
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • How to Make Bacon Wrapped Dates
    • Recipe Tips
    • More Easy Appetizers
    • FAQs and Substitutions
    • Happy Hour Cocktail Pairings
    • More Delicious Recipes You'll Love
    • Print the Recipe
    • Bacon Wrapped Dates

    Sweet dates, salty bacon, and creamy cheese come together with a little crunch from roasted almonds. They look fancy, but come together easily.

    The filling in stuffed dates 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 appetizer in our house. You can also add a green salad, and call these appetizers your dinner. They're that good.

    Ingredients

    Ingredients for bacon wrapped dates -

    You will need:

    • Sliced bacon
    • Large, pitted dates
    • Cream cheese
    • Roasted almonds
    • Garlic powder

    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.

    Cutting the dates with kitchen shears

    In a small bowl, combine cream cheese, and garlic powder. Finely chop almonds. Add to cream cheese and mix until thoroughly combined. Set aside.

    Filling for bacon wrapped dates

    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.

    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.

    Bacon wrapped dates ready for the oven

    Bake dates for 20-25 minutes or until bacon is cooked through.

    Remove toothpicks. Serve warm or at room temperature.

    Enjoy!

    A plate of bacon wrapped dates.

    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 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 cover that up.

    More Easy Appetizers

    Crab Rangoon Dip
    Crab Rangoon Dip
    Apple Bacon Crostini
    Apple, Bacon, and Goat Cheese Crostini

    FAQs and Substitutions

    How do you serve bacon wrapped dates?

    These dates are delicious served warm or at room temperature.

    Can I make them ahead of time?

    Yes! You can make these up to 24 hours ahead and reheat in a 300 degree oven for 5-7 minutes before serving. You can also save time by making the filling up to 3 days in advance, then just assemble and bake the night you want to serve the dates.

    What kind of bacon should I use?

    Skip the thick-cut bacon for this recipe. The standard cut available in any grocery store works great.

    Can I use low fat cream cheese in this recipe?

    Yes! I've made these dates with regular, low fat and fat free cream cheese - all work great.

    What can I substitute for the almonds?

    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.

    Happy Hour Cocktail Pairings

    Salty, creamy, bacon wrapped dates pair well with a tart cocktail. Try one of these:

    Honey dripping from a wooden honey dipper into a glass filled with a Bee's Knees cocktail.
    Bee's Knees Cocktail
    Green Apple Martini in a coupe glass garnished with a slice of apple.
    Green Apple Vodka Martini

    More Delicious Recipes You'll Love

    • Salmon Wellington
    • Apple Bacon Brussels Sprouts
    • Slow Cooker Savory Spiced Nuts
    • Blender Salsa
    • Easy Chicken Nuggets

    Print the Recipe

    Print

    Bacon Wrapped Dates

    A plate of bacon wrapped dates.
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    ★★★★★

    5 from 1 reviews

    Bacon wrapped dates are perfect for entertaining and a guaranteed crowd pleaser. They look fancy, but come together easily. 

    • Author: Katy McAvoy
    • Prep Time: 15 mins
    • Cook Time: 25 min
    • Total Time: 40 min
    • Yield: 36 dates 1x
    • Category: Appetizers
    • Method: Oven
    • Cuisine: American

    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 36 large, pitted dates
    • 3 oz cream cheese, softened
    • 2 Tbsp whole, roasted almonds (aprox 30 almonds)
    • ½ tsp garlic powder
    • 2 lbs sliced bacon (not thick sliced)
    • 36 toothpicks

    Instructions

    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 all of the bacon slices in half. Set aside.

    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!

    Keywords: bacon, dates, cream cheese, appetizer, entertaining, easy, snack

    Did you make this recipe?

    Share a photo and tag me @katymcavoy on Instagram! I can’t wait to see what you made!

    Appetizers & Snacks

    • Honey, Walnut, and Goat Cheese Phyllo Cup Appetizers
    • Easy Vegetarian Stuffed Mushrooms in White Wine
    • Delicious And Hearty Vegetarian Nachos with Sweet Potatoes
    • Quick BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza on the Grill

    I love when you share my recipes!

    • 12

    About Katy McAvoy

    Katy is the author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, and Michigander behind MittenGirl.com. Since 2017, she's been crafting easy-to-make cocktails and delicious meals, along with sharing her love of all things Michigan (a.k.a. The Mitten)!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jaime

      January 24, 2021 at 9:09 am

      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

      ★★★★★

      • MittenGirl

        January 24, 2021 at 9:50 am

        So happy to hear you liked them!

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    Katy McAvoy

    Hi! I’m Katy (she/her). I’m an author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, Michigander, and lover of all things food and drink. I never turn down a good happy hour and believe that a couple hours of meal prep pays off for days. Follow me on Instagram to check out what I’m working on next!

    More about me →

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