Bacon-Wrapped Dates

These bacon-wrapped dates are stuffed with cheese and baked until crisp. They're sweet, salty, and delicious. Perfect for a holiday party appetizer.

Print Recipe

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 30

Total Time 50

Course Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 32 people

Calories 2959.2 kcal

Equipment

1 Baking Sheet With a wire rack for optimal bacon crisping and grease drainage.
1 Paring Knife For carefully slicing dates.
1 Cutting Board
32 Toothpicks Approximately 32 for securing the bacon.

Ingredients

Main

1 pound pitted dates
4 ounces blue cheese
1 pound sliced smoked bacon cut in half

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
Slice dates in half and open them up. Pinch off pieces of blue cheese and place them into the center of dates; press date halves together to close. Wrap each date with a half-slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick. Arrange in a baking dish or on a baking sheet with sides to catch any grease.
Bake in the preheated oven until bacon is crisp, 30 to 40 minutes. Turn dates over after the first 20 minutes for even cooking.

Notes

To achieve optimal crispness for the bacon and prevent sogginess, always arrange the dates on a wire rack set inside a baking sheet. This allows rendered fat to drip away. For an elevated flavor profile, consider brushing the bacon with a touch of maple syrup or a sprinkle of smoked paprika before baking. Experiment with different blue cheese varieties, such as a milder Gorgonzola or a sharper Roquefort, or even introduce a half toasted almond or pecan with the cheese for added texture. Be mindful not to overcrowd the baking sheet, as this can lead to steaming rather than crisping. Turning the dates halfway through ensures even browning. A final drizzle of balsamic glaze or hot honey after baking can introduce another layer of complexity, balancing the sweet, salty, and pungent notes beautifully.