Bacon Wrapped Dates – Sweet, Salty, and Crowd-Pleasing
fromwhaleycooks.comwhaleycooks.com/bacon-wrapped-dates-sweet-salty-and-crowd-pleasing-2
Bacon wrapped dates are the kind of appetizer that makes people pause mid-conversation and say, “What is this? It’s amazing.” They’re bite-sized, easy to make, and deliver a perfect mix of sweet, smoky, and salty. You don’t need fancy ingredients or a lot of prep time. Just good dates, crisp bacon, and a few simple
Ingredients
Instructions
Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C).Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or place a wire rack on top for better airflow and crisping.
Prep the dates: If the dates aren’t pitted, make a small slit lengthwise and remove the pit. Keep the slit small so the dates hold their shape when stuffed.
Choose your filling (optional): For creamy fillings like goat cheese, use about 1 teaspoon per date. For nuts, tuck one whole almond or pecan inside.Don’t overfill; you want the date to close without bursting.
Slice the bacon: Cut each slice of bacon in half crosswise. This size wraps neatly around most dates without overlapping too much.
Wrap the dates: Wrap each date with a half-slice of bacon, seam-side down. Secure with a toothpick if needed.Place them on the prepared baking sheet.
Add a light glaze (optional): Brush with a small amount of maple syrup or honey. Sprinkle a pinch of smoked paprika or chili flakes if you like gentle heat.
Bake: Bake for 16–22 minutes, turning once halfway through, until the bacon is crisp and deep golden brown. Thicker bacon may take a couple of extra minutes.
Rest briefly: Let the dates sit for 3–5 minutes after baking.This helps the bacon set and keeps the filling from oozing out.
Serve warm: Arrange on a platter and serve with napkins. These are best warm, but still delicious at room temperature.
