Cheesy Bacon-Wrapped Dates
An easy recipe for bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with Fontina cheese. Only THREE ingredients and they can be assembled ahead of time. This is a perfect appetizer for any party or holiday!
The original recipe for Fontina-Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Dates was published on August 25, 2009; I have since adjusted how the recipe is made and have updated the photos.
The first time that I made bacon-wrapped dates, I was hugely suspicious of the combination of dates, cheese and bacon. Which is incredibly silly, as I already know how amazing cheese and bacon are together and EVERYONE knows that sweet (dates) and salty to together like peanut butter and jelly. As it turns out, the combination could not be more amazing. Between the soft, sweet dates, the creamy melted cheese and the crisp, salty bacon – it’s pure heaven.
I made this sporadically for awhile, then two years ago, I made them as an appetizer for Thanksgiving the first year that we hosted at our house. Everyone went absolutely CRAZY over them. Like, could not stop eating them and fighting over the last ones, even as dinner was being served. Needless to say, bacon-wrapped dates have become a staple at holidays and family get-togethers.
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When I first started making these, I used a smaller piece of bacon and broiled them in the oven. I soon learned that there is no such thing as too much bacon, and using the broiler wasn’t a very reliable way of ensuring that all of the bacon was cooked through. I have since found that baking at a relatively high temperature for a longer period of time ensures that the bacon is cooked completely, and it also sort of caramelizes the bacon grease and melted cheese together underneath the dates. Which… oh my gosh, so, SO good.
One of the things I love most about this bacon-wrapped dates recipe is that you can assemble them up to a day ahead, which is what I do almost every time I make them. I put the pan in the refrigerator overnight and then all I need to do is preheat the oven and pop them in when I’m ready! This is especially helpful on a busy holiday.
Since first having these two years ago, my cousin has made them and taken them to numerous parties, and she always gets the same reaction – people say they never realized how much they like dates. It’s amazing what a little cheese and bacon can do :)
Your party repertoire should definitely include these cheesy bacon-wrapped dates!
One year ago: Salted Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls
Four years ago: Congo Bars
Six years ago: Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Cheesy Bacon-Wrapped Dates
Ingredients
- 24 dates, pitted
- 3 ounces (85.05 g) Fontina cheese
- 12 slices bacon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Slit the dates open lengthwise, keeping the bottom in tact. Place a sliver of cheese inside each date. Wrap half a piece of bacon around each stuffed date.
- Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, turning the dates halfway through baking, until the cheese bubbling and the bacon is browned and cooked thoroughly. Serve immediately.
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!
Trent — Stuffed dates topped with pesto oil sounds fabulous!
I used regular pitted dates, bought from a local Italian grocery.
Thank you for the tip on precooking the bacon, I will definitely try that next time!
Came across this recipe by chance and it looks yummy! :D Any idea on good bacon replacement? Since i don’t eat pork :( Great recipe though! :)
I made these for a bachelorette party this weekend and they were amazing! These were soo simple to make and I got tons of compliments! I will definitely be making these again soon!
These look amazing & I can’t wait to make these. A friend & I used to indulge ourselves with Bacon-wrapped Smoked Oysters. If you like smoked oysters, give it a try some time. Just wrap & broil.
Had some recently in New Hope, PA stuffed with blue cheese and also topped with a pesto oil.
Also, I there are so many different kinds of dates (along with prices). Which kind did you use? I’ve found the firmer date is a little better for stuffing than the softer ones.
I also had better success with pre-cooking the bacon in the microwave for one minute before wrapping to ensure the bacon cooks thoroughly before the date and stuffing starts to burn.
Thanks for the great article!
I’ve made these stuffed with walnut halves and they are also very good. I will try your fontina version. Looks Yummy!
Lisa – that cheese mixture sounds FABULOUS! And with a balsamic glaze? Bliss! Which restaurant in DC?
We make these at my restaurant in DC except we stuff them with a mixture of blue cheese, cream cheese and chives. After they’re baked we drizzle a little balsamic glaze on top that’s infused with chai tea (simple syrup with a couple chai tea bags steeped in, then combined with balsamic and reduced by half).
I can see why these disappeared so quickly, they look super tasty! Love the cheese in them too.
I love these little bites too. I use Asiago cheese, and applewood bacon, and brush the bacon with paprika before I wrap and BAKE them. A little twist worth trying!
Having been part of the crowd that devoured them, I can vouch for their awesomeness. Thanks for making them, cuz!
OH WOW that sounds so amazing!!
Do you think you are going to the foodbuzz fest in SF?? I think I’m going to go!
Just found fresh dates for the first time ever, and bought them. Now I know what to do with them! If only I can figure out an easy way to pit them…hmm. Maybe I need to suck it up and buy a pitter. These look SO good!
Never had them with the cheese. I like that. Great idea.
Those little gems looks heavenly!
Well done!
Dates and Bacon always go very well together, very well tought! Bacon goes very well with melon as well. Pour a bit of Porto on it and you have the perfect appetizer
They look delicious! I actually just made bacon-wrapped fingerling potatoes.
Linda – That’s such a compliment, thank you! You’ll have to make these and let me know how they compare!
Amy – Wow, thanks! Almost had you, huh? ;-)
I don’t eat pork, but for a split second I considered it… that’s how mouthwatering these look!
yum, yum yum! One of my fav restaurants, AOC, has amazing bacon-wrapped dates, and these look even better than theirs.
This is pretty, you’re so creative :D
That would be a great appetizer. There’s salty, sweet, something creamy. I love fontina cheese too. I think guests will be blown away by these combination.
I LOVE bacon wrapped dates. These look great.
Any date wrapped in bacon and stuffed with cheese is a great date to me!
This looks amazing with the oozing cheese. I had something similar in a restaurant but they stuffed it with some sort of sweet chutney instead of cheese, they are called devils on horseback.
Hi Jenn – Yes, absolutely, totally 100% fab!! Thanks so much for posting it!
I am so glad that you enjoyed the recipe! :) Isn’t it just fab?
These look AMAZING!! I’m always on the lookout for great appetizers – that are quick – and that don’t require your guests to come to your aid in actually making them (been there, done that , ‘nuf said).
I louuuvvveee me some Fontina too…
Hi Kaytee – Thank you! I did not precook the bacon at all – just used it straight from the package.
Did you precook your bacon at all or just use it straight from the package?
This looks delicious!