Bacon-Wrapped Dates

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.

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?

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.

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?

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.

Pin it HERE!!

Pin it HERE!!

Bacon-Wrapped Dates

Tara Noland

Caution, these Bacon-Wrapped Dates are highly addictive!! The sweet, salty, and spicy flavors are amazing and the perfect make-ahead recipe. Just pop them in the oven when the company arrives.

4.80 from 5 votes

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Course Appetizers

Cuisine American

Servings 24 pieces

Calories 72 kcal

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

Instructions

 

• 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.

Equipment

Natural Delights Medjool Dates – Large & Plump Pitted Dates Medjool, Non-GMO Verified, Pesticide Free, Naturally Sweet Fruit Snack, Perfect for On-the-Go – Medjool Dates Pitted, 8 oz Bag

Pyrex Get Dinner Away Large Handle 8″ x 8″ Square Dish. Making it Easy to Monitor Casserole Cooking and Brownie Baking from a, 4, Red 8″

TRTRin Bamboo Toothpicks [3000 Count] – With Reusable Toothpick Holder, Sturdy Smooth Finish Tooth Picks, for Party, Appetizer, Olive, Barbecue, Fruit and Teeth Cleaning, Green.

Notes

See the post for lots of tricks and tips.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 72kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 2gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 102mgFiber: 1gSugar: 10g

Nutrition calculation is an estimation only. If you need nutritional calculations for medical reasons, please use a source that you trust.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Adapted from The Best of Bridge cookbooks