Bacon Wrapped Dates for Holiday Parties and Game Day
Bacon wrapped dates are pitted dates wrapped in a piece of crisp bacon and baked. Cook the bacon in a pan until golden and slightly crisp, wrap a third of a slice around each of 36 dates, and bake at 450°F for 8 to 10 minutes.
We make them with our thick cut Applewood Smoked Uncured Bacon or America's Best Applewood Smoked Dry Cured Bacon. Below is the recipe, a stuffed version, and a plan for game day and holiday trays.
Bacon wrapped dates: the recipe
Inspired by the Bacon Wrapped Dates recipe from Colorado State University. Two ingredients, 36 pieces.
- 12 slices Applewood Smoked Uncured Bacon
- 36 whole pitted dates (Medjool are a favorite)
- Heat the oven to 450°F.
- Cook the bacon. Heat a medium sauté pan over medium heat. Cook the slices until golden brown and slightly crisp in places, about 6 to 8 minutes, flipping halfway. Drain on a paper towel lined plate and repeat.
- Cut each slice into thirds.
- Wrap. Wrap one piece of bacon around each date and hold it with a toothpick.
- Bake. Set the dates on a rimmed baking sheet and bake 8 to 10 minutes.
- Cool. Let them cool 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
Plan on about 15 minutes of prep and 30 minutes of cooking for the full tray.
The bacon
Our Applewood Smoked Uncured Bacon is thick cut and slow smoked over real applewood. It stays meaty around the date, so every bite gets smoke, salt, and caramel sweetness.
Stuffed bacon wrapped dates and devils on horseback
For a stuffed version, slice each date open, tuck in about a teaspoon of blue cheese, wrap in half a slice of raw bacon, and bake at 400°F for 20 to 25 minutes until crisp. Goat cheese and cream cheese are popular fillings too. Devils on horseback began in 19th century England as a savory bite served after dessert.
Game day and the holiday tray
One tray of 36 pieces goes from pan to oven in the time a pregame show runs, and the same tray works for Thanksgiving weekend and the holiday snack table. For a second tray, make our jalapeno poppers with bacon.
Our bacon ships frozen with dry ice by FedEx. Orders ship Monday through Wednesday and arrive within two days. Holiday weeks vary, so check the shipping policy and the delivery window at checkout.
Questions people ask about bacon wrapped dates
How long do you cook dates wrapped in bacon?
Cook the bacon in a pan first, about 6 to 8 minutes, then bake the wrapped dates 8 to 10 minutes at 450°F. With raw bacon, bake 20 to 25 minutes at 400°F until crisp.
What can I stuff bacon wrapped dates with?
Blue cheese, goat cheese, cream cheese, or an almond. About a teaspoon per date.
What is the name for a bacon wrapped date?
Devils on horseback.
Can I make bacon wrapped dates ahead?
Yes. Wrap them up to a day ahead, refrigerate on the baking sheet, and bake just before guests arrive.
Two ingredients, one tray, kickoff. Heritage Duroc pork, raised crate free with no antibiotics ever on family farms, fed a vegetarian diet, and Prop 12 certified.
Order the Heritage Duroc Cured & Uncured Bacon Box: three 24 oz packs of America's Best Applewood Smoked Dry Cured Bacon and three of Applewood Smoked Uncured Bacon.