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.

Dates stuffed with goat cheese and wrapped in bacon on platter.

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!

Reasons to Love Bacon-Wrapped Dates

Sweet and Salty Combo. From the crispy, savory bacon to the sweet, chewy date, Bacon Wrapped Dates are simply irresistible.
Simple Ingredients. Bacon, dates, and an optional filling are the only ingredients needed for this simple appetizer recipe.
Easy Prep. While stuffing dates may sound tedious, I promise you that it is quite simple to do.
Can Be Made in Advance. Bacon-Wrapped Dates can be assembled up to 48 hours in advance and refrigerated or flash-frozen up to 1 month before baking. Perfect for entertaining during the holidays or when last-minute guests show up!
Serve Warm or at Room Temperature. These Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Dates taste delicious when served slightly warm or at room temperature and can be left out at room temperature for up to 2 hours safely.
Allergy-Friendly Appetizer. Bacon-wrapped dates are gluten-free, and egg-free, and can easily be made nut-free and/or dairy-free if needed.

Notes on Ingredients

Ingredients for bacon-wrapped stuffed dates.

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.

Toothpicks in shallow blue dish in water.

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.

Sheet pan lined with foil and topped with a metal rack.

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.

Dates stuffed with goat cheese, almonds, and blue cheese on cutting board next to bacon cut in half.

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.

Bacon Wrapped Date cut open to show goat cheese filling.

More Party-Worthy Appetizers

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

Bacon Wrapped Dates

Bacon-Wrapped Dates are a simple, sweet, and salty appetizer made with dried dates, bacon, and an optional filling of cheese or almonds.

4.72 from 21 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 10

Total Time: 20

Servings:

Calories: 71kcal

Author: Kristen Chidsey

Ingredients

▢ 24 whole dried dates
▢ 12 slices bacon cut in half

Filling Options for Bacon Wrapped Dates (optional)

▢ 24 whole almonds
▢ 4 ounces cream cheese softened
▢ 4 ounces blue cheese
▢ 4 ounces goat cheese

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400℉. Place an oven-safe baking rack on top of a rimmed baking sheet that has been lined with foil.
While the oven is preheating, soak toothpicks in a shallow dish of water for 20 minutes and then drain from the water.
Slice the dates lengthwise on one side to create an opening. Remove the pit if needed. If desired, fill the cavity with either 1 almond, or 1 teaspoon each of either goat cheese, cream cheese, or blue cheese. Use a spoon or your fingers to be sure filling is inserted fully into the date and not oozing out the sides.
Cut each strip of bacon in half. Wrap one piece of cut bacon around each date. Secure with a pre-soaked toothpick and place onto the prepared baking dish. Alternatively, you can place the wrapped date seam side down onto the prepared baking dish.
Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until bacon is crispy. Keep in mind 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.
Place the bacon-wrapped dates onto a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess grease. Once cooled, serve.