Bacon and date bites are the ultimate combination of sweet and savory, offering the perfect balance of flavors in every bite. The crisp, smoky bacon pairs beautifully with the rich sweetness of the dates, creating an irresistible treat that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re preparing them for a party, a family gathering, or just as a tasty snack, these little bites are both easy to make and incredibly delicious.
To make bacon and date bites, start by choosing pitted Medjool dates for their soft, caramel-like sweetness. The dates are the perfect vehicle for the salty bacon to shine through. Slice each date in half and remove the pit if needed. Then, stuff each date with a small piece of cheese (cream cheese or goat cheese work well), or leave them plain for a simpler bite.
Next, wrap each stuffed date (or plain date) with a slice of bacon. The bacon should be cut into smaller pieces, just enough to wrap around the date and hold it together. Secure the bacon with a toothpick to keep it in place as it cooks.
The key to making these bacon and date bites perfectly crispy is baking them at 375°F (190°C) for about 20-25 minutes. During this time, the bacon will cook through and crisp up, while the dates will soften and release their natural sweetness. Keep an eye on them, as the bacon can quickly turn from golden to overly crispy.
For extra flavor, you can brush the bacon with a drizzle of maple syrup or a balsamic glaze before baking, enhancing the sweet-salty combination. You can also sprinkle some black pepper or chili flakes on top for a bit of heat.
Once baked, these bites are best served warm. The combination of the crispy bacon, soft dates, and creamy cheese creates a mouthwatering contrast of textures and flavors. They’re perfect for snacking, pairing with drinks, or serving as an appetizer at your next gathering.
Bacon and date bites are simple to make but pack a flavorful punch, making them an unforgettable addition to any occasion. Sweet, savory, and full of deliciousness- what’s not to love?
Ingredients
- 12 pieces dates pitted
- 6 slices bacon cut in half
- 1/4 cup toothpicks for securing
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Wrap each date with a half slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick.
- Place the wrapped dates on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 15 minutes or until the bacon is crispy.
- Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving.
These were a hit at my party! Everyone loved the sweet and salty combo.
Not a fan, too much bacon. The dates were sweet but the bacon ruined it for me.
I burnt mine in the oven. Loss of 3 strips of bacon was too much. 😢
Made these for my football party, and they were gone in minutes! So good!
I don’t really get the hype. The bacon overpowered the date flavor. 🤷♂️
These were dangerously easy. The bacon got perfectly crispy at 15 minutes and the dates were sweet without being overpowering. Will definitely make again for parties.
Yummy! But I added some chili powder for a kick. Love sweet and spicy! 😍
This recipe is easy peasy, even my kids helped! They’ll be making again!
That sounds fun! Cooking with kids is the best way to bond. I’ll have to try this with my little ones too!
Bacon and date? Don’t sound right but must try. I’ll give it 4 stars cause bacon.
My friend said this recipe was simple, but I struggled with the wrapping. Help!
Can u make these ahead of time? Like prep and then freeze? Need help!
Yes! You can freeze them before baking. Just prepare them and then pop them in the freezer. When you’re ready, bake them straight from frozen, but add a few minutes to the baking time.
I tried this and it was a total flop! The bacon didn’t get crispy.
Total flop? Really? That sucks. But maybe your oven temperature was off? Mine cooked perfectly.
I’m sorry to hear that! Did you use thick bacon? Sometimes that can take longer to get crispy.
Yum! Who knew wrapping bacon around fruit would taste so good!
I dunno, wasn’t a fan. The bacon was too greasy for my taste. My friends liked them though.
I totally get that! Bacon can be really oily sometimes. Maybe try using turkey bacon next time? It’s a bit leaner.
Bacon’s not greasy if you cook it right! Just need to get the oven temp right and keep an eye on it. Also, my friends gobbled them down!
These bites r delicious! My family loved them! 100/10 would recommend.
I tried these last weekend and OMG they are amazing! So easy to make too!
These are perfect! I made them for a party and everyone loved them!
Yum! I added some cream cheese inside the dates too – took it to another level! 😋
I didn’t have toothpicks, so I just used skewers. Still tasted great!
So easy! I don’t cook much, but even I could do this. Thanks for sharing this, it’s a keeper!
I used turkey bacon instead and it still worked out! Yum!
Why would anyone put bacon in dates? Sounds gross!
Meh. They’re okay, but for the effort I’d rather just eat bacon on its own. My dates tasted a bit dry.
So good! But I might try adding some cheese next time.
These are awesome! So simple but so delicious!
I thought bacon was unhealthy, but these bites are soooo goood!
1/4 cup toothpicks? That’s oddly specific lol. I eyeballed it and ended up with plenty, so don’t stress.
Wait… toothpicks in 1/4 cup?? How many is that like 10? I think I’ll just use the forks I have, same thing, right? Also 400°F seems too hot for bacon/date, might burn the dates.
Haha yeah “1/4 cup toothpicks” feels like a spy code 😂 I just use whatever fits and it’s never been an issue—thanks for the reassurance!
Tried these for a party and they disappeared fast. Sweet + salty is such a good combo, and 15 minutes is perfect for keeping the bacon crispy.
Made these for our game night and I swear they vanished in minutes 😅 The sweet-salty combo is so addictive, and the 15 min timing is clutch for keeping the bacon crispy.
I tried it but mine came out chewy, not crispy. I think 400°F was too low? Also I used regular skewers instead of toothpicks—maybe that’s why they fell apart. Still tasty tho!
I followed the recipe exactly, but mine turned out way too greasy! Maybe I used too much bacon? 2 stars.
Just made these, but my bacon burnt 😭. I think I baked too long.
Yum! Nothing beats sweet and salty! So good I could eat them for breakfast.
Bacon and dates is a classic pairing and this recipe nails it. Simple ingredients, no fuss. My whole family ate them before I could take a picture.
Love it! Made these for a party and they were gone in minutes!
Bacon and dates? 🤔 Sounds weird… but I guess I’ll try it.
Not bad, but the bacon was chewy, not crispy like I wanted. Gonna try wraping it differently next time. 3/5.
Bacon good, date bad. I would rather just eat bacon. 😜
This recipe is too easy, is it even worth making? 🤔
Sometimes simple is best! These are perfect for parties and super tasty, trust me! 😊
My oven runs hot, so mine browned too fast. I pulled them at about 12 minutes and they were still crispy. Recipe’s good—just watch your temps.
Good to know—my oven runs hot too. I’ll start checking around 10–12 minutes.
Bacon dates? ok i guess. i like it but the toothpicks are annoying to eat with lol.
These are amazing! Perfect for parties and super easy to make. 5 stars!
These tasted amazing! Just a little messy with the toothpicks tho.
Glad to hear you liked them! Yeah, the toothpicks can be a bit tricky but they’re so worth it!
I didn’t have toothpicks, so I just used a fork and it still tasted great!
Quick and easy recipe! I felt like a chef making these. 😄
I tried this recipe and it was a hit at my party! Thanks for sharing! 🎉
Seems too simple… does it really taste good or is it just bacon-wrapped dates?
Bacon is good, dates are good. But together? 🤔 I doubt it.
Why have I never made this before?? I made them for game night and they disappeared fast. Kids even asked for seconds (which is a miracle).
Right?? They’re ridiculously good for how simple they are. Bacon + sweet dates is such a cheat code—no wonder they vanished at game night 😄
What type of dates should I use? Is there a difference?
Seriously, who puts dates in savory food? This is just wrong.
These are the best! I made them for the party and they were gone in minutes. Everyone loved them!
Not bad, but 400°F for only 15 minutes felt short for me. Bacon wasn’t fully crispy. Flavor was good though—would try again with a longer bake time.
Hmm maybe my bacon was thick cuz 15 min didn’t work either. But I don’t like the longer bake—seems like the dates dry out. I ended up cooking the bacon first a little… then wrap. Not bad though.
I felt the same way—15 min at 400°F wasn’t quite enough for my oven. I usually go like 18–22 minutes and then broil for 1–2 minutes to get that crisp. Glad the flavor still worked for you!
Not my favorite. I feel like they need more flavor. Maybe a sauce?
I actually loved them as is! The sweetness of the dates paired perfectly with the salty bacon. Maybe try a dipping sauce on the side next time?
More flavor? But the smokiness of the bacon is enough! I think you just don’t appreciate the simple joys of food. 🤷♂️
Bacon is life! I just ate a whole plate, lol. Definitely making again.
Bacon really is the best! Those bites sound delicious. Can’t wait to try this recipe myself!
Wow, so easy and delish! Making these for my party next week!
Sounds amazing! I can’t wait to try this recipe myself! Perfect for parties!
Bacon and dates? Sounds weird but it’s actually really good. Who knew!
I thought it was gonna be gross, but wow! Just tried it and it’s amazing! Who would’ve guessed? 😍
These are the best! Bacon and dates are a perfect match 💯
Had to bake them a bit longer than 15 min, but they turned out alright. Still tasty!
Never thot of mixin bacon with dates, sounds weird but I’ll give it a try.
Turned out crispy like it said, but mine took closer to 18 minutes because my oven runs a bit hot. Still super easy for a party snack.
These are the best! I can’t believe how simple and delicious they are. Perfect for parties!
Totally agree! I’ve made these for gatherings and they always disappear fast. So easy to make!
Really? I tried this but the bacon didn’t cook right. Maybe my oven was too hot? 🤔
I thought it was gonna be too sweet, but wow! The bacon balances it out perfectly.
These are dangerously good. Sweet dates + salty bacon is such a great combo. I added a tiny pinch of black pepper before baking—won’t go back!
Agreed—this combo is dangerously addictive 😄 The sweet-salty balance is perfect. I’m also stealing your black pepper tip!
Wut, 12 dates and only 1/4 cup toothpicks? I had to grab way more toothpicks than that 😅 Also, parchment helped but I’d use a rack next time for better crisp.
I don’t know about baking them. I deep fried the bacon instead. Best decision ever! 🍟
I’m skeptical about dates with bacon, but I tried it. Surprisingly good—though I wish I’d used bigger dates. The bites were kinda small.
Not a big fan of the bacon with dates combo. They were too sweet for my taste.
These are so good! I can’t believe how easy they were to make. Perfect for my party!
Way too sweet for me. I used very ripe dates and it was almost dessert-like. Might work better with less-sweet dates or fewer dates.
I totally get that—dates can go from snacky to dessert real fast. Next time I’d try fewer dates or use drier/less-ripe ones. Maybe even bake a minute less to keep the sweetness from concentrating.
Huh, mine was sweet too but I thought that was just the bacon fat doing it 😅 I’ll try less dates next time. Also I might soak the dates? Not sure if that helps. The recipe is still pretty good tho!
Not my vibe—too salty for me and the dates get kinda sticky. If you’re into sweet-and-salty though, this is probably your thing.
Uhh i didn’t have parchment so I used foil and they stuck a bit. Also i forgot to preheat and it still kinda worked but not as crispy. Would recommend parchment 100%.
These are dangerously snackable. Like, you tell yourself “one” and then it’s gone. Great for holidays.
Totally get it—bacon + dates is basically engineered chaos 😄 Made these for a holiday spread and they disappeared fast. One note: I had to bake a couple extra minutes to get them truly crispy, but still perfect.
Cute appetizer idea. I added a tiny sprinkle of cracked pepper and it bumped the flavor a lot. Not in the recipe, but worth it.
I didn’t think bacon and dates would go well together, but wow! I’m a convert!
I was skeptical too, but these are a game changer! Perfect sweet and salty combo!
Not gonna lie, I love anything bacon-wrapped. The sweet-salty combo is legit. Toothpicks are a must—mine almost fell apart before baking.
This is just plain weird. Who eats dates with bacon? 😒
You are missing out! The sweet and salty combo is amazing! 😍
This tastes like a fancy snack but takes almost no effort. I served them warm and they disappeared fast. Great idea!
Totally agree—these are dangerously easy. I also baked mine a few minutes longer until the bacon got nice and crisp, and they were gone fast too 😄 Great for parties.
Pretty easy and kinda fancy for how simple it is. I used thicker bacon so I had to add a few minutes, but still turned out great.
I followed the directions but mine were a little soggy. I think my oven runs cool? Next time I’ll crank the temp or drain them on a rack instead of leaving them on parchment.
These were dangerously good. Sweet date + salty crispy bacon is such a perfect combo. I baked a tiny bit longer (maybe 17 min) and they came out extra crisp. Will definitely make again for parties!
OMG!! These Bites r so good, made 2 trays and they were gone in minutes!!
I followed the steps but my bacon wasn’t crispy enough at 15 min—more like 20-22. Still tasty though. Next time I’ll keep an eye on them.
Bacon and dates? Sounds kinda weird. But I gotta try it. Anyone knows if it’s healthy?
It’s actually really good! The sweetness of the dates balances the savory bacon. Not super healthy though, but worth it for a treat.
Bacon+dates? That’s just wrong. Why would anyone mix those? Not for me!