Vegan bacon wrapped dates

Slice each date down the center lengthwise, being careful not to cut all the way through it. If the dates still have their pits and/or hard stems, remove them using your fingers.

Using a butter knife or spoon, put a generous amount of spreadable vegan cheese or nut butter into each date.

Use kitchen shears or a serrated knife to cut seitan bacon into long thin strips. You'll need 20 long strips in total.(If you're using Upton's Naturals seitan bacon, you can cut each strip in half lengthwise. If using a larger bacon like Herbivorous Butcher, you may be able to cut each strip into quarters, depending on the specific slice & the size of your dates.)

Roll each date with a skinny strip of bacon. Then secure it with a toothpick through the center.Continue until all of the dates are wrapped.

Heat oil in a non-stick skillet to a medium heat with enough to fully cover the bottom, about ¼ inch. When the oil is hot enough to easily bubble around the dates when added to the skillet, shallow fry them for a total of 3-5 minutes. (If necessary, fry in batches so that the pan isn't overcrowded.) Use the toothpicks and/or a spatula to carefully turn the dates as they brown, until they are fully browned all over.

Once they are evenly browned, put the dates on a towel-covered plate to drain. Remove the toothpicks from the dates if desired.

Move the dates to a serving platter, and serve immediately.