Bacon-Wrapped Dates

Article by Layla Khoury-Hanold

Bacon wrapped dates are a delicious, easy appetizer that are perfect for dinner parties, potlucks and holiday get-togethers. They’re also one of Ree Drummond’s favorite appetizers of all time and they always disappear whenever she brings them to a party. For her take on the crowd-pleasing nibble, Ree Drummond stuffs sweet dates with roasted almonds, wraps them with bacon, then secures each bite with a toothpick and bakes them till the bacon is crispy. With Ree’s easy recipe, you’ll learn the best kind of bacon to use, how to easily add extra flavor to the filling, the key technique for ensuring the wrapped dates hold their shape and how to ensure the bacon is crispy all over.

How to Make Bacon-Wrapped Dates Like a Pro

Start with pitted Medjool dates. Medjool dates are soft, making them easy to stuff and wrap. They have a rich sweetness, which adds a complementary sweet flavor to the nuttiness of the almonds and the salty-smoky bacon.

Choose salted, roasted almonds for a flavorful stuffing. Salted, roasted almonds add another layer of flavor and pair well with the savory bacon and earthy-sweet dates.

Don’t overstuff the dates. Depending on the size of the date, Ree stuffs each one with 1 to 2 almonds. If you overstuff the dates, it’ll be challenging to wrap the bacon around them and will make for an uneven bite when served.

Reach for thin bacon. Ree likes to use a half piece of thin-cut bacon rather than thick-cut because it’s easier to wrap around the dates and ensures that the bacon crisps up and cooks all the way through.

Use toothpicks to secure the bacon wrapped dates. Secure the bacon wrapped dates with a toothpick so that it holds its shape while baking and stays together when served. Use the toothpick to help turn the bacon wrapped dates halfway through cooking to ensure they crisp up evenly all over.

Make sure the bacon is fully cooked. Cook the bacon-wrapped dates in a 425 F degree oven until bacon is sizzling and fully cooked, about 18 minutes.

Best Dates For Bacon Wrapped Dates

Medjool dates are soft and tender, making them easy to stuff and wrap, and their sweetness complements the nuttiness of the almonds and the smoky-savory bacon. Look for Medjool dates in the produce section of the grocery store for the freshest selection.

Best Cheese For Bacon Wrapped Dates

Ree likes to use roasted, salted almonds in her bacon wrapped dates but you can also stuff them with cheese. The best cheese for bacon wrapped dates includes creamy, tangy goat cheese, creamy, briny feta or blue cheese for a more pronounced flavor.

Can Bacon Wrapped Dates Be Made Ahead?

Yes, bacon wrapped dates are a great make ahead appetizer. You can stuff, wrap and secure the dates up to one day before you plan to serve them, then store them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake them.