These bacon wrapped dates are stuffed with decadent cream cheese… it’s the ultimate combination of sweet and savory flavors. Textural, creamy and oh-so-delicious, you’re going to love this incredible appetizer!
Stuffed dates are one of the easiest hors d’oeuvres you can make, while still creating an incredible presentation and experience.
We love serving individual, bite-sized portions when we entertain. As a former caterer and event planner I’ve trained my entire career for this!
I’ve always enjoyed serving individual portions because I, myself love to try a bite of everything! You can make a meal of these incredible Stuffed Dates or serve them as part of an array of appetizers.
There’s just something about the sweet, delicate dates when combined with a crispy, salty crunch of bacon on the exterior. Load them up with cream cheese and you’ve got a memorable hors d’oeuvre everyone will love!
They’re quick and easy to make – no cooking skills required! Just stuff, wrap, bake and drizzle!
Love bacon as much as we do? Don’t skip Bacon Popcorn!
Why You’ll Love Stuffed Dates
- Quick
- Foolproof
- Easy to make
- Easy to serve or pass
- Easy to eat!
These sweet and salty bite sized hors d’oeuvres are so incredible, I dare you to try and stop at just one!
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Dates – Medjool dates, found in the produce section of the grocery store, are best for this recipe.
- Cream Cheese – Softened cream cheese is easy to spread and adds a creamy texture and flavor in each bite! You can also use whipped cream cheese.
- Bacon – Center cut is preferred, but you can use your favorite bacon including turkey bacon, smoked bacon, etc.
- Balsamic Glaze – Balsamic glaze is a reduced balsamic vinegar that turns into a sweetened sauce and adds great flavor. You can buy it at your favorite grocer or make your own. You can also drizzle with honey if you prefer.
Variations
- Spice it Up – Add half of a diced jalapeño to the cream cheese.
- Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates – Simply substitute cream cheese for goat cheese.
- Add Protein – Add almonds or walnuts to the cream cheese stuffing or replace cream cheese with peanut butter for peanut butter stuffed dates!
Tools to Use
- Baking Dish – I’m linking the one pictured in this post, but you can use any oven safe baker!
- Bamboo Toothpicks
How to Make Bacon Wrapped Dates
- Prep – Preheat oven.
- Pit Dates – Slice in half longways halfway through. Use a knife or spoon to remove the pit.
- Stuff – Using a teaspoon or knife, fill date with cream cheese.
- Wrap – Wrap bacon and use a pick to secure.
- Bake
- Drizzle – Top with balsamic glaze.
Tips
- Use thin sliced bacon
- For extra crunchy bacon, consider par-baking the bacon first. You’ll simply lay it out on a baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes at 400 degrees. The became remains soft enough to wrap around your dates, but ensures a crispier exterior.
- Soften cream cheese – it makes it easier to spread.
- Make them ahead! Stuff and wrap your dates up to 24 hours in advance and simply bake prior to serving.
Scaling up, down or substituting? You’ll love this printable Measurement Conversion Chart!
Make Ahead
- Pit, Stuff and Wrap.
- Refrigerate up to a day in advance.
- Bake as directed when ready to serve and drizzle with balsamic glaze.
Serving Suggestions
- Drizzle with more glaze or even honey for another layer of sweetness.
- I love using individual bamboo toothpicks for the perfect way to grab these!
Frequently Asked Questions
Medjool dates found in the produce section of the grocery store are great for this stuffed dates recipe!
Dates are so good for you! They are rich in polyphenols, which are known to be important for digestion, diabetes management and even preventing certain cancers.
You can sometimes find pitted dates at the grocery store, which makes life so much easier! However, if you need to pit the dates yourself, carefully slice the date lengthwise with a small knife. Ideally, you’ll hit the pit but won’t slice the date all the way through. Gently open the date with your fingers while you pry the pit out of the center. It takes a little practice, but the results are worthwhile!
How to Store Stuffed Dates
- Refrigerate – make ahead and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking and serving. These can be kept in an airtight container for up to three days in the refrigerator, and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Freeze – You can flash freeze these bacon wrapped dates, wrapped airtight in the freezer, for up to three months. Simply defrost in the refrigerator for 24 hours before baking and serving.
How to Serve
- Serve in Baking Dish
- Arrange on a Platter
- Passed
Dietary Considerations
- Gluten Free
- Dairy Free
- Nut Free
If you love bacon, don’t skip this incredible Bacon Aioli for dipping and slathering on everything! Looking for more amazing bacon recipes? Head over to some of these recipes to satisfy your cravings in my round-up of 20 Bacon Appetizers!
More Hors D’oeuvres
Stuffed Dates Wrapped in Bacon
Ingredients
- 16 dates ensure pits are removed
- 8 slices bacon sliced in half
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Slice dates in half, halfway through, and remove pit.
- Using a teaspoon, stuff date with cream cheese.
- Wrap with a half slice of bacon and secure using a pick.
- Add to baking dish and bake 30 minutes.
- Drizzle with balsamic glaze and serve.
Julie’s Tips
Tips
- Use thin sliced bacon
- For extra crunchy bacon, consider par-baking the bacon first. You’ll simply lay it out on a baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes at 400 degrees. The became remains soft enough to wrap around your dates, but ensures a crispier exterior.
- Soften cream cheese – it makes it easier to spread.
- Make them ahead! Stuff and wrap your dates up to 24 hours in advance and simply bake prior to serving.
How to Store
- Refrigerate – make ahead and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking and serving. These can be kept in an airtight container for up to three days in the refrigerator, and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Freeze – You can flash freeze these bacon wrapped dates, wrapped airtight in the freezer, for up to three months. Simply defrost in the refrigerator for 24 hours before baking and serving.
Video
Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.
Interesting! I like the idea of adding the jalapeno. I’m just getting into dates after hearing about date syrup from Lisa interviewing the Date Lady on the Simple Farmhouse Life podcast. So far I have been adding it to my coffee and made some banana, date syrup muffins. Maybe whole dates are next to try!
Ha! That sweet date lady is my dear friend!