Bacon Wrapped Cheese Stuffed Dates

Published: Jan 13, 2019 · Modified: May 12, 2021 by Emily Criswell · I may receive commissions from purchases made through links in this article · 39 Comments

Jump to Recipe

Bacon Wrapped Cheese Stuffed Dates are the most delicious small bites. They're the perfect real food snack to enjoy with someone you love.

this RECIPE

Salty quality bacon paired with cream cheese and sweet Medjool dates is one truly special appetizer.

Bacon wrapped cheese stuffed dates areprobably one of my favorite appetizers ever. They. Are. So. Good.

They're the perfect combo of crispy, bacon goodness paired with gooey, cheesy, creamy and sweet.

The dates almost taste like caramel and they're absolutely amazing with the bacon and cream cheese.

These babies are almost like a sweet treat because they have that beautiful sweet and salty thing going on. Yet they're still savory enough to feel like a hearty, decadent snack.

Be warned though, you're going to want to make lots of these. I often double up the batch because my husband and I love them so much.

I started making these as a date night snack for me and my husband.Then they became a Valentine's Day appetizer for us.

We both love them so much that they ended up turning into a game day snack too!

I am NOT a sports person, but my husband is big time - especially when it comes to football and baseball. I love him, so I enjoy making fun food for him on game day.

I usually alternate between thesebacon wrapped cheese stuffed dates and sweet and spicy stuffed bacon wrapped dates.

When making the spicier stuffed dates, I like to make something to cool our mouth's off with and my go-to is alwaysreal food orange creamsicle smoothies. It might sound like an odd combo, but it's super yummy and we really love both together.

When making these bacon wrapped cheese stuffed dates I highly recommend using a quality bacon - preferably organic or a pasture raised bacon. You can even use organic turkey bacon if you'd like, and we have, but my favorite for these is traditional bacon.

Medjool dates are pretty easy to find these days. Pretty much every grocery store carries them with their dried fruits. Natural food stores are almost a sure bet when looking for them. Even some wholesale markets carry them now too! Of course, if you can't find them locally, you can easily find them online.

With the cream cheese, try to use a quality brand too - because it will taste better. There's even a great organic lactose free cream cheese brand available at most natural food stores if lactose is an issue. If dairy is food you have to avoid, you can easily substitute with a quality dairy-free soy-free cream cheese.

These bacon wrapped cheese stuffed dates are the perfect appetizer for holiday parties, game day, dinner parties or for a special dinner date night for two with your honey on Valentine’s Day.

Yield: 16 bacon wrapped stuffed dates

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Bacon Wrapped Cheese Stuffed Dates are the most delicious small bites. They're the perfect real food snack to enjoy with someone you love.

Ingredients

16 organic Medjool dates – pitted (buy pitted or remove pit during prep)
¼ cup organic cream cheese, softened
¼ teaspoon sea salt (<-- this is my favorite sea salt)
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon – optional
8 pastured or organic bacon slices, cut in half

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Prep dates – open up dates carefully with a paring knife, cut 2 lengthwise slits in the dates, making sure not to cut all the way through the date, remove small piece of date (save to snack on), remove pit if necessary.
In a small bowl, mix the cream cheese, sea salt and optional cinnamon. Stuff dates with about ½ teaspoon (or more if you like overstuffed dates like my husband and I do) of the cheese mixture.
Tightly wrap each cheese stuffed date with ½ slice of bacon. Secure with toothpick.
Place bacon wrapped dates seam side down on baking pan. Place baking pan in oven, set timer for 10 minutes. At 10 minutes, use tongs to flip each bacon wrapped date. PLEASE USE CAUTION, the bacon grease is very hot, use an oven mitt to protect your hand/arm. Set timer for another 10 minutes. Bacon is done when it “looks” crispy and is dark golden brown. Watch the bacon closely, all ovens cook differently, you don’t want the bacon to burn. You should be able to tell at the 10-minute mark about how much longer you will need to cook the bacon. If you’re not sure, just keep an eye on them. You may need a few more minutes after the 20 minute mark to crisp the bacon enough.
Serve warm or at room temperature. Make sure to wait a couple of minutes before taking a bite, they are super HOT when they come out of the oven.

Notes

Equipment: Toothpicks, Large Baking Pan/Sheet (I use Stoneware), Cutting Board, Small Paring Knife, Small Bowl, Kitchen Tongs

You will need 16 toothpicks. I have made these without toothpicks, but I find it's easiest with toothpicks.

Recommended Products

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 16Serving Size: 1 bacon wrapped date
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 79Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 12mgCarbohydrates: 18gFiber: 2gSugar: 16gProtein: 1g

This nutritional information was auto-generated based on serving size, number of servings, and typical information for the ingredients listed. To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in a given recipe, please calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients and amounts used, using your preferred nutrition calculator. Under no circ*mstances shall the this website and the author be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on the given nutritional information. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.

Are you onPinterest? I pinlots of yummy real food recipes+ more there. I have a board just for Snacks + Small Bitestoo! Come follow along.

MORE RECIPES YOU MIGHT ENJOY

Bacon Wrapped Cilantro Cream Cheese Stuffed Jalapeños

Broccoli and Bacon Quiche

4 Ingredient Sugar Free Chocolate Caramel Truffles

About Emily Criswell

Emily Criswell is a chocolate- and sweet treat-loving, holistic-minded mom of 4. She's a 4-time cookbook author -The Art of Great Cooking withYour Instant Pot {ranked in Amazon's top 10 new releases - gluten free recipes}, Amazing Mexican Favorites with Your Instant Pot{ranked as a #1 New Release BEST SELLER!}, Low-Carb Cooking with Your Instant Pot, The Big Book of Instant Pot Recipes, food photographer, homeschooler and the founder of Recipes to Nourish, a gluten-free blog focusing on real food and natural living. She works to empower her readers by showing them that there is a healthier way to eat and live. Her passion is to make healthy, natural living as uncomplicated and enjoyable as possible.Find Emily’s latest recipes and natural living tips atRecipes to Nourish. Connect with her on Facebook, Instagram,Pinterest, Twitterand YouTube plus grab her free eBookHolistic Tips to Keep Your Family Healthy. Read more >>About Emily.

Reader Interactions

Comments

Renee Kohley
October 10, 2016 at 4:51 pm

Ohhh yummy! I love this!
Reply
- Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
  October 10, 2016 at 5:33 pm
  
  Thanks Renee! 🙂
  Reply
  - Frank
    September 10, 2023 at 12:41 pm
    
    So good! Just made them for our lazy Sunday.
    Reply
    - Emily Criswell
      October 29, 2023 at 11:41 am
      
      Hi Frank, I'm so glad that you enjoyed them! Sounds perfect for a lazy Sunday. 😊
      Reply
The Food Hunter
October 13, 2016 at 7:49 am

I've been drooling over these all week! I need to make them soon!
Reply
- Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
  October 13, 2016 at 2:00 pm
  
  Aww thanks Theresa! xo I hope you get to make some soon 🙂
  Reply
Carol Little R.H.
October 13, 2016 at 7:49 am

This looks delicious! I love wrapping anything in bacon, don't you?
I make a similar dish..with prosciutto. Will get around to posting it someday!
I will try this version next! Thanks for sharing!
Reply
- Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
  October 13, 2016 at 1:59 pm
  
  I agree! Bacon anything 🙂 Prosciutto sounds yummy too!
  Reply
linda
October 13, 2016 at 1:04 pm

Drool. Sigh. Swoon!
Reply
- Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
  October 13, 2016 at 1:56 pm
  
  lol thank you!!! xo
  Reply
ChihYu Smith
November 14, 2018 at 7:50 pm

These mini finger foods are so perfect for the holiday season. They are sweet and savory with a crunchy texture outside. So delicious!
Reply
Kelly Nevins
See Also
Best Deviled Eggs Recipe
December 02, 2018 at 4:24 am

If I make these ahead of time, would a quick zap in the microwave to warm them up change the constituency? I know the bacon won’t be as crispy but hopefully it wouldn’t otherwise have a bad effect?
Reply
- Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
  December 02, 2018 at 9:04 am
  
  Hi Kelly, I'm not a fan of microwaves so I'm not sure what the results would be - however I do think you could make them ahead of time and reheat them. I would recommend reheating them on a low setting in the oven or in a toaster oven instead, that will help the texture stay the same. I hope you get to enjoy some, they're so good! 🙂
  Reply
Joni Gomes
January 14, 2019 at 9:19 am

Omg definitely pinning this and making for Superbowl! My friends will devour these!
Reply
Jean
January 14, 2019 at 5:56 pm

Oh wow, this is such a great treat to serve on game day and Super Bowl is just around the corner! The flavors and the textures all sound so amazing.
Reply
Raia Todd
January 15, 2019 at 8:59 am

Mmm... love that salty and savory combo with the sweetness of the dates!
Reply
Tessa Simpson
January 15, 2019 at 2:19 pm

Little bites of heaven...what a flavor combo! And not too hard to whip up either!
Reply
Kelly
January 15, 2019 at 6:08 pm

I know a lot of people who aren't going to be able to get enough of these. Total crowd pleaser!
Reply
Sara
January 15, 2019 at 7:08 pm

We're hosting a dinner party in a few weeks (as long as we don't have a snow storm that weekend!) and I'm definitely adding these to my appetizer menu! Looks delicious!! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Reply
Kari - Get Inspired Everyday!
January 16, 2019 at 5:06 pm

These are appetizer perfect, I just love the savory sweet combo!
Reply
nicole (thespicetrain.com)
January 17, 2019 at 11:11 am

These guys look and sound SO yummy! I love the cinnamon in there, what a delicious twist. Thank you for sharing, Emily! 🙂
Reply
Megan Stevens
January 17, 2019 at 5:09 pm

What could be more delicious than savory + sweet caramel?! I love that addition of cinnamon! Such a fun appetizer.
Reply
Meredith
January 17, 2019 at 6:47 pm

How delicious are these?!?! What a perfect game day snack / treat... pinning because EVERYONE will love these!
Reply
Zuzana
January 18, 2019 at 9:56 am

This combination is unbelievable. I would have never come up with it. Cant wait to try it.
Reply
CHIHYU
January 18, 2019 at 4:27 pm

I love all the delicious flavor in this recipe. What a perfect finger food for every occasion!
Reply
Kiran Dodeja Smith
January 19, 2019 at 3:54 am

We have company coming over Sunday to watch football, too. Love how easy and perfect these will be to share! Thank you!
Reply
STACEY CRAWFORD
January 19, 2019 at 8:11 am

The best gifts are wrapped in bacon! The creamy cheese with the smokey bacon and the sweetness from the dates is a joy for the taste buds!
Reply
Anne Lawton
January 20, 2019 at 12:54 pm

I can't think of many things that bacon doesn't taste good with! But this combination sounds incredible!
Reply
Catherine Baez Sholl
January 20, 2019 at 9:51 pm

Such a great appetizer for the upcoming Super Bowl parties! Pinning it for later.
Reply
Robin
March 11, 2019 at 5:27 pm

These are absolutely delicious!! What is the best way to store these? Trying my best not to eat them all in one night!
Reply
- Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
  March 13, 2019 at 10:50 am
  
  So happy to hear that! 🙂 I just store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and we usually heat them up on a low temp in the oven the next day.
  Reply
Kimber Mann
December 20, 2020 at 12:43 pm

I had some leftover dates from a dressing recipe. Not a huge fan of dates so I didn't know what I was going to do with them. Came across this recipe and decided to try it. They were so good. Everyone loved them even my husband who at first refused to try them because he doesn't like dates. These were so good. Would highly recommend trying them!
Reply
- Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
  January 11, 2021 at 3:05 pm
  
  I'm so happy to hear that!! Thanks for sharing 🙂
  Reply
Josh
April 30, 2022 at 1:56 pm

Just made these with thick cut raspberry chipotle bacon from the meat market. Ill be in trouble because I will eat the whole batch myself.....oh well!
Reply
- Emily Vidaurri
  May 11, 2022 at 2:52 pm
  
  That bacon sounds amazing! Hope you enjoyed them!
  Reply
Alex
May 11, 2023 at 2:44 pm

Can these be prepped in advance and then baked the next day?
Reply
- Emily Vidaurri
  June 06, 2023 at 10:30 pm
  
  Hi Alex, I've never tried that before so I can't say for sure. I have made up large batches and reheated them the next day and they're still delicious - however, they're not quite the same as freshly baked.
  Reply
JoJo
December 10, 2023 at 10:41 am

Just a quick question can these be stuffed with goat cheese instead of cream cheese? Would like to make them for Christmas Eve I was just wondering I’d like to do the goat cheese. What do you think?
Reply
- Emily Criswell
  March 03, 2024 at 3:49 pm
  
  Thank you for your patience, I'm just now seeing this. I hope you still made them and enjoyed them - I'm sure they'd be great with goat cheese too. 😊
  Reply

Bacon Wrapped Cheese Stuffed Dates | Recipes to Nourish (2024)

FAQs

What to eat with bacon-wrapped dates? ›

Nuts are nice because they give some crunch. You could also drizzle them with truffle honey for a luxurious touch. Any kind of spicy chutney works great too. The bacon-wrapped dates are a great addition to any co*cktail party and they pair especially well with wine.

Keep Reading ›

What cheese goes well with dates? ›

Various cheeses pair wonderfully with dates. Some popular options include creamy Brie, tangy blue cheese, sharp cheddar, aged Gouda, or even crumbly goat cheese. The sweetness of the dates complements the flavors of these cheeses.

Learn More Now ›

Can you freeze bacon-wrapped dates? ›

Make Ahead and Freezing Instructions:

Leftovers will keep for 2-3 days in the fridge. To Freeze: Fill the dates with cheese, wrap with bacon and secure with a toothpick. Place in a freezer safe container and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator before adding glaze and baking.

Find Out More ›

What is bacon-wrapped dates made of? ›

My favorite bacon-wrapped dates recipe is made with (actually!) crispy bacon, tender Medjool dates, and stuffed with your choice of cheese. Easy to make and always a party favorite! I've made this 3-ingredient easy appetizer more times than I can count for happy hours, dinner parties, holiday gatherings…you name it.

Is it better to freeze bacon cooked or uncooked? ›

Raw bacon can be frozen, but it can affect the texture when it's thawed and cooked later on. Freezing can cause the meat fibers to break down, resulting in a softer texture when it's cooked. However, the flavor is not affected significantly.

See Details ›

What happens when you freeze dates? ›

While frozen fresh dates last longer than their fresh and refrigerated counterparts, thawed dates have a softer and mushier texture than fresh ones. Thawed dates are best in recipes where texture isn't an issue, such as smoothies or chopped into pieces for baking.

Get More Info Here ›

What are the little grains inside dates? ›

These sugar crystals are a natural occurrence in the ripening process of dates and do not indicate spoilage or harm to the fruit. However, if the dates have a strong, off odor or are moldy, it is best to discard them.

Discover More ›

Are packaged dates healthy? ›

Yes, dates are considered healthy as they are a good source of essential nutrients such as fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They can provide energy, aid digestion, and offer various health benefits when consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Discover More Details ›

What is gypsy bacon? ›

A very traditional and old-fashioned form of bacon, Gypsy bacon is prepared with garlic and paprika giving it its characteristic spice that is similar to Hungarian bacon. It is rich in flavor and pungent in aroma and usually cooked over and enjoyed around the campfire.

Read On ›

How do you eat dates traditionally? ›

Simply bite into each date and remove the pit if there is one for a delicious snack. You can also use dried dates in smoothies to help sweeten them without adding refined sugar. Simply soak 3 pitted, dried dates in hot water for 10 minutes to soften them.

Read On ›

How do you eat California dates? ›

There are many recipes for dates, you can eat it as a fruit with nothing, and you can also add it to oats and milk if you follow a diet, you can make juice with milk and drink it cold, there are also date balls, and they are prepared by mixing pitted dates with 1/4 cup crushed biscuits and 4/1 cup of coconut, 2 ...

Get More Info Here ›

Can we eat dates with butter? ›

However, he advised the public to consume the combination moderately, with no more than three buttered dates in a sitting. “Butter can quickly build calories, so I suggest taking them with some protein, fruits and vegetables to round up the macronutrients since dates and butter do not provide enough protein.”

Explore More ›

Bacon Wrapped Cheese Stuffed Dates | Recipes to Nourish (2024)

Salty quality bacon paired with cream cheese and sweet Medjool dates is one truly special appetizer.

These bacon wrapped cheese stuffed dates are the perfect appetizer for holiday parties, game day, dinner parties or for a special dinner date night for two with your honey on Valentine’s Day.