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Bacon-Wrapped Dates

Name: Bacon-Wrapped Dates
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 24
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 12 slices maple smoked bacon, cut in half lengthwise; Chili powder; Cayenne pepper; 24 pitted, soft dates; 1/2 cup pure maple syrup; 1/4 cup brown sugar; Toothpicks

By Tara Noland on February 2, 2013 | Updated May 31, 2023 | 49 Comments

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These Bacon-Wrapped Dates are addictive; one bite of the slightly spicy sweet flavor and you could never just eat one. Brown sugar, maple syrup, cayenne, and chili powder make the best seasoning. The crispy bacon goes amazing with the sweet dates.

Want some more amazing appetizers with bacon? It is my favorite for entertaining. Try our Brown Sugar Bacon-Wrapped Smokies, Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus, or Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Bites.

Close-up shot of a juicy, saucy looking bacon-wrapped date.

Table of Contents

The Best Appetizer

The first time I had these, I was so enthralled with their taste. Well, bacon-wrapped anything is great, as you all know, but these are sweet and spicy too! I had them at a neighbor’s home; Shelley, for Bunco, had made them, and they have been a hit ever since. This is an addictive game-day snack. One that will be gone in no time!! The bacon is crisp, the date is sweet, and the sauce is perfect. What more could you want?

Horizontal shot of bacon-wrapped dates on a white plate.

Helpful Items For This Recipe

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small portion from qualifying purchases at no extra charge to you.

Bamboo Toothpicks [3000 Count] – With Reusable Toothpick Holder

Pyrex Get Dinner Away Large Handle 8″ x 8″ Square Dish

Natural Delights Medjool Dates – Large & Plump Pitted Dates, 8 oz. bag

What is in Bacon-Wrapped Dates?

This Bacon-Wrapped Date recipe is the perfect easy appetizer for any occasion, and you will get rave reviews after serving them. Very few ingredients are needed, and you can build the whole recipe ahead of time and just bake them when the company arrives and then serve warm.

Ingredients

Maple smoked slices of bacon, cut in half lengthwise – I love maple smoked bacon. Get bacon that is thinly sliced; it will crisp up well with the recipe.
Chili powder – This adds a bit of spicy flavor without the heat and goes so nice when used with sweet ingredients too.
Cayenne pepper – Use as little or as much as you like. You are the guide on this recipe. Don’t forget the maple syrup and brown sugar do balance the heat out nicely.
Pitted, soft dates – What kind of dates to get? We have a special section below to help you to decide, but one key notation is that they have to be pitted. You can also pit them yourself but buying them pitted is infinitely easier.
Pure maple syrup – Get the good stuff; this is no time for pancake syrup.
Brown sugar – I like light brown sugar for this recipe. You can use dark brown sugar, which just has more molasses in it.
Toothpicks – Use a good sturdy toothpick for this job; nothing worse than a thinner toothpick constantly breaking when you are preparing these or when you are serving.

How to Make Bacon-Wrapped Dates

Preheat oven to 375F. Sprinkle one-half of the bacon slices with cayenne and chili powder. Wrap each date with a bacon slice and secure it with a toothpick.

Place the wrapped dates in a square 8″ dish, packing them closely together. Drizzle with the maple syrup and sprinkle on the brown sugar.

Bake for 30-35 min. Let cool for 10 min. and then drain off the liquid and serve.

Is Medjool or Deglet better for Bacon-Wrapped Dates?

Overhead close-up of bacon-wrapped dates.

The difference between these two dates is marginal, and both are extremely delicious. There are other dates you can use too. The key is to get them pitted so you don’t have to do that work.

Medjool dates have a bright, sweet flavor. They are snack-worthy at any time of the day as they are chewy, sweet, and satisfying. Deglet Noor dates have a more robust flavor and are more akin to caramel-like flavors.

So either is delicious. Try to get nice big plump dates so that you have a good bacon-to-date ratio.

Recipe Pro Tips!

Caution, you have to let these bacon-wrapped dates cool, or you can burn your mouth. Remove them from the sauce to serve and let sit for 10 min. or until slightly cooled to serve.

You can make the bacon-wrapped dates up to the point of adding maple syrup etc., to them. Freeze on a parchment-lined baking sheet and then place in a zipped air-tight bag. They will freeze well for 3 months and then just thaw and continue on with the recipe.

This appetizer can be fully made up to the point of baking. Just cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to bake.

Is this recipe like Devils on Horseback? This recipe is slightly different, although devils do involve wrapping bacon around a fruit, but also sometimes has nuts, blue cheese, cream cheese, or goat cheese in the date itself. The wrapped stuffed dates are also not usually baked in a sauce.

Square photo of bacon-wrapped dates on a white plate.

WANT OTHER GREAT APPETIZERS TO GO WITH THIS RECIPE?

We are party central at Noshing With The Nolands, so we have loads of wonderful appetizer recipes for you to have. Here are some of our favorites.

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Pin it HERE!!