Bacon Wrapped Dates
With only 5 ingredients, these Bacon Wrapped Dates are super easy and super addictive. They will fly off the plate at your next gathering! Dates are stuffed with a mixture of cream cheese, goat cheese or blue cheese, and thyme before being encased in bacon and broiled to perfection.
This Bacon Recipe combines bacon with a creamy filling and pitted dates for a sweet-salty appetizer that’s hard to beat. Also known as Devils on Horseback, make sure to save this Easy Appetizer Recipe for your next party.
Why You Should Make
A hubby quote: “I don’t like dates, but I like these.” I doubt he ever tasted a date before I made these stuffed dates, but he loved this easy appetizer and these were the first to disappear when I served them almost a decade ago at a party. These Bacon Cream Cheese Roll-Ups are also irresistible!
- There’s something about bacon recipes that makes every dish more enticing!
- These are sweet, salty, creamy, and crisp! How could anyone resist???
- Plus, with only 5 ingredients, it’s definitely an easy appetizer recipe.
- Bacon-wrapped dates are frequently served as part of the Christmas menu, but they’re yummy any time of year.
Recipe Tips
- This is kind of a non-recipe from my sister, Mary.
- The first time I made these stuffed dates, or Devils on Horseback as they’re also called, we used a small log of goat cheese and medium-sized dates.
- If you can find larger dates, Mary recommends wrapping them with a whole strip of bacon.
- You can also mix the blue cheese with cream cheese for a less piquant filling.
- This last time, I used blue cheese instead and they were just as delicious.
- In fact, I took them to a neighborhood gathering and one of the host’s elementary school-aged sons could not stop eating them! A rather mature and discriminating palate, I’d say.
How to Make
This easy appetizer recipe is super simple with minimal ingredients. But a few tips will make the process go smoothly.
- First, remove the pits from the dates. This is easily done by cutting almost through the date from one long side to just past the pit. With your fingers, pull out each pit and discard them.
- Next mix the softened cream cheese with either blue cheese or goat cheese. PRO-Tip: Having the cream cheese at room temperature will make the blending process much easier.
- PRO-Tip: Partially cook the bacon. Cut slices in half and use your favorite cooking technique to cook them until some of the fat is rendered and the meat darkens. This ensures the bacon will be cooked fully when these dates are broiled. Undercooked bacon can cause foodborne illnesses like salmonella.
- Using a spoon, scoop out a quenelle or football-shaped mound of the cheese mixture. It should be the length of your dates.
- Spread open the date and place the cheese in the middle. Press the sides back together.
- Wrap the par-cooked bacon around the middle of the date and secure it with a toothpick.
- Cook as directed. Watch carefully under the broiler so the bacon does not burn.
Frequently Asked Questions
Different dried fruit can be used like dried apricots or pitted prunes.
Besides blue cheese and goat cheese, these can be filled with cubes of Asiago, Jarlsberg, Havarti, Gouda, Fontina or any other hard cheese.
I recommend Medjool Dates for stuffing. Their larger size works well for stuff, plus they are usually sweeter and moister than the Deglet Noor, the other variety seen in the US. The latter is firmer and drier.
Angels on Horseback are oysters wrapped in bacon, so it makes sense that dark dates wrapped in bacon could be called Devils on Horseback. But I found no documentation that one came before the other, so this is only supposition.
You May Also Like:
- Bacon Cheddar Crack Dip
- Green Bean Bacon Bundles
- Broccoli Salad with Bacon
- Bacon-Wrapped Scallops
- Cauliflower Bacon Gratin
- Strawberry Bacon Brie Salad
- Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers
- More Appetizer Recipes
Bacon Wrapped Dates
A super easy 5 ingredient recipe!
Ingredients
- 30 medium-sized dates
- 15 bacon slices, a half strip per date
- 4 ounces Blue Cheese or Goat cheese
- 4 ounces Cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon minced thyme
Instructions
Partially cook bacon (I like doing this in the microwave). Set aside.
Mix equal parts goat cheese and cream cheese. Mix in herb of choice.
Slice open dates and fill with as much cheese mixture as possible. Wrap with bacon and skewer with a toothpick. Place on a baking sheet and broil till bacon is crisp.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
15Serving Size:
2 datesAmount Per Serving: Calories: 153Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 26mgSodium: 313mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 1gSugar: 10gProtein: 7g
34 Comments on “Bacon Wrapped Dates”
This is such an amazing appetizer!! The combination of flavors are seriously amazing!
I think I may be addicted to these dates! There are so easy to make, but we could not stop eating them. The whole batch was gone in a snap!
Absolutely the best appetizer I’ve ever served to company!
While I was having breakfast this morning I decided I want to assemble a charcuterie board for Christmas Eve afternoon. I also remembered that I have lots of dates on hand so this is perfect timing.
Well these are fabulous! I think I’d do pure goat cheese, myself, no need to mellow it out! Love the tip about pre-baking the bacon a bit. Smart. Happy Thanksgiving!
I love fantastic finger foods that are easy to prepare. What a great recipe to add to any entertaining line-up! Have a tremendous and delicious Thanksgiving Liz!
xoxo
Roz
I love fantastic finger foods that are easy to prepare. What a great recipe to add to any entertaining line-up! Have a tremendous and delicious Thanksgiving Liz!
xoxo
Roz
The Spanish version is even easier, just wrap the dates with bacon without stuffing! I generally par-cook the bacon so it takes even less time in the oven! One party we had, my BFF’s husband admitted that he hadn’t realized how many he ate until he got home and emptied his pocket of about 25 toothpicks!
I’m going to give these a go at our next party, the blue cheese stuffing sounds absolutely awesome!
I’ve had — and actually made!! — something pretty similar. Love the idea of blue cheese — nice and tangy. These are perfect appetizers for cocktails. Although I’d be tempted to serve these for dinner. 🙂 Really nice — thanks.
Yes, this is one of my favorite appetizers, and i have been making these in the air fryer…super easy and everyone loves it…the combination of sweet and salty is delicious!
Have a wonderful week Liz!
We’re on the same wavelength, Liz! I’ve been making bacon wrapped dates for the past two days!! Yours look just perfect! Always a crowd pleasing appetizer!
Savory, creamy and sweet all in one convenient bite. We are ready! We had the lovely opportunity to get our fill of fresh Chinese Red dates whilst in Hong Kong these last couple of weeks and they are lovely too. Might give your recipe a try with dried pitted Chinese red dates.
Funny with your hubby and dates! My Bill has said the same thing and he definitely wouldn’t know what he’s missing if he didn’t try one of these! They look delicious Liz and I must try them! Thanks!
Sounds like a great appy! Happy Early Holiday Season Liz-enjoy:@)
The only problem with these yummy treats is that you can’t stop eating them until all gone!
Oh my goodness…while I was enjoying the weekend, you posted so many yummy recipes! This shrimp and bean pods caught my attention. I love how you cooked it! I’m going to try this for my next BBQ! I can learn so much from your versatile cooking! Thank you Liz!
Ha! Your husband sounds like my boyfriend. He is constantly telling me he doesn’t like things that he’s never tried LOL
Everything looks great!
These look so good! And, I especially like the shrimp wrapped in spring pea pods.
What great finger foods. Love “Sputnik’!
That brie is gorgeous! Also…so true: wrap anything in bacon and men will love it. I will too, for that matter (though I already adore dates and blue cheese). Brava!
oooooo I bet the chewy of the date and the crunch of the bacon is sooooo great! No wonder these were polished off first.
So proud of your hubby for trying those dates. I agree with Brooks – you had me at bacon..LOL.
I want to come to some of your parties!!
Lizzy, I’m with your husband. Dates are not at the top of my noshing list, but you had me at bacon! Love the directive to partially cook the bacon first, then crisp off in the oven after the morsels are assmbled. Brava!
Beautiful spread!! Love Dates filled with cream cheese..will have to try them with the bacon. Your photos are lovely!!
I’ve made the gorgonzola stuffed dates, too…thanks for reminding me, Ang 🙂
Vanilla bean baker, LOL, you really don’t want to see Sputnik! It was crazy looking!!!
Oh my goodness, I need a snack now after reading about all of these delicious appetizers. I’m bookmarking this post b/c I want to make all of these! The bacon wrapped dates sound delicious with the sweet/salty/creamy combination. What a great spread!
That’s the festive appetizer – that’s the real deal! I love making prunes this way, but I don’t remember if I ever used dates. But the combo of dates + bacon + blue / goat’s cheese sounds perfect to me!
I have had stuffed dates before but they were with Gorgonzola instead. I was practically fighting for the last one. I love the sweet combination with that rich salty bite. The shrimps, I must definitely make. I love it all. Great spread!
What wonderful starters. They all look beautiful and I know they were delicious. I’m sure the party was a success. I hope you have a great day. Blessings…Mary
Everything looks so good. Love the idea of the shrimp wrapped in the pea pods and then spiked into a cabbage! Sure wish you had a photo. Looking forward to that puff pastry brie recipe, love serving warmed brie with various toppings but I’ve never served it wrapped in a puff pastry. Beautiful!
That food must have disappeared in a flash. It all looks so good.
I love Brie… and that shrimp really looks gorgeous!
P.S I’m your newest follower!! 🙂
Mmmmm. I love this simple idea of dates, cheese and bacon! It would taste delicious! I will definately be adding this one to my collection!
And I know what you mean about not having time to take good photos, that has happened to me on a number of occassions. eg: I’m soon to be posting a recipe called Pasties (sweet and/or savoury) and i only got photos of it as it just came out of the oven! Oh well, people just couldn’t wait to put it in their mouths!!!
I love you blog! I will visit again soon!
Feel free to visit mine! www.tickle-your-tastebuds.blogspot.com
Cheers,
Yasmin