Bacon Wrapped Dates - Easy Party Appetizer (2024)

Bacon-Wrapped Dates are the ultimate easy party appetizer! Made with minimal ingredients, this sweet and salty appetizer only takes minutes to prepare and is the first appetizer to disappear at a party.

When it comes to entertaining, I love having a variety of simple appetizers on hand for my guests to choose from. Something savory, like Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms, something fresh like Bruschetta, and something sweet and salty like these Bacon-Wrapped Dates.

And honestly, these Bacon-Wrapped Dates are so irresistibly good, they can stand alone to satisfy your guests!

Notes on Ingredients

The two only ingredients you need to make bacon-wrapped dates are whole dates and bacon. However, adding a filling, such as goat cheese, cream cheese, almonds, or bleu cheese adds additional flavor and texture to this simple recipe.

• Dates: Use whole, dried Medjool dates. You can find them in either the produce section in a carton or bagged near the raisins and prunes. If you can find pitted dates, purchase those to save the step of pitting the dates yourself.
• Bacon: Use thick-cut, good-quality bacon for the best flavor. While you can use turkey bacon, pork bacon will render the most flavorful appetizer.
• Filling Options: While optional, adding a filling of some sort to the cavity of the dates adds texture and additional flavor. Whole nuts, such as almonds or pecans, are a wonderful way to add crunch. Soft cheese, such as goat cheese, bleu cheese, or cream cheese, adds a rich, creamy finish to the bacon-wrapped dates.

How to Make Bacon-Wrapped Dates

The following tips are provided to help you achieve perfect results. You will find the detailed instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Step One: Soak Toothpicks. To secure the bacon to the dates, it is best to use wooden toothpicks. This will keep the bacon from curling up and separating from the date as it bakes. However, it is crucial to soak the toothpicks in water before baking to prevent them from burning.

Step Two: Prepare Pan. To allow for even baking, using a pan with a wire baking rack is best. This will allow the air to circulate evenly around the bacon-wrapped date, crisping up the bacon from all directions.

Step Three: Assemble. Whether or not you choose to stuff your dates with cheese or nuts, be sure to cut them open to ensure there is no pit remaining inside the date. Even pitted dates can have a rouge pit now and then. If desired, stuff the cavity of the date with 1 almond or 1 teaspoon of soft cheese of your choice and then wrap each date with a ½ strip of bacon, using a toothpick to secure the bacon to the date.

Step Four: Bake. Bake until the bacon is crispy, keeping a close eye to not burn the bacon. If you are using a broiler pan instead of a baking rack on top of a sheet pan, you will want to flip your dates halfway through cooking to ensure even browning of the bacon.

Preparing in Advance

If you would like to get a jump start on preparing this appetizer for a gathering, Bacon-Wrapped Dates can be assembled up to 48 hours in advance and refrigerated or flash-frozen up to 1 month before baking.

• Refrigerate: Pit, stuff, and, wrap the dates as the recipe directs. Instead of placing them onto a baking sheet to bake, place the prepared dates into an airtight container, and store them in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours. When ready to bake, remove the stuffed dates from the refrigerator place them onto a prepared baking sheet and bake as directed.
• Freeze: To freeze bacon-wrapped dates, assemble them up to baking. Arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze until solid, about 2 hours. Transfer the frozen bacon-wrapped dates to a freezer bag and freeze for up to 1 month. To defrost bacon-wrapped dates, just place them on a baking sheet in the fridge 12 hours before baking and bake as directed, adding 1-2 minutes if needed to the baking time to allow the bacon to crisp up fully.

Storage and Serving Tips

• Serving: Serve the bacon-wrapped dates slightly warm or at room temperature. They can be left safely at room temperature for up to 2 hours.
• Leftovers: In the highly unlikely event you have leftover Bacon-Wrapped Dates, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, bake at 400 degrees F for 5 minutes just to warm through slightly.

More Party-Worthy Appetizers

• Antipasto Skewers
• Vegetable Egg Rolls
• Taco Dip
• Sausage Balls
• Baked Brie
• Loaded Potato Skins
• Instant Pot Chicken Wings
• Deviled Eggs

If you tried these Bacon-Wrapped Dates, I would love for you to leave a comment and star review below.

This post was originally published in 2016 but updated in 2022 with step-by-step photos and a video.