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.
Bacon-Wrapped Dates
It’s 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 with a whole strip of bacon. 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 Bacon Wrapped Dates
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.
More Bacon Recipes You’ll Love:
- Bacon Cheddar Crack Dip
- Green Bean Bacon Bundles
- Brie BLT
- Broccoli Salad with Bacon
- Bacon-Wrapped Scallops
- Cauliflower Bacon Gratin
- Strawberry Bacon Brie Salad
- Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers
- More Appetizer Recipes
This recipe was first shared in April 2011. The photos and text were updated in 2019.
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!