Bacon wrapped dates topped with a honey balsamic reduction – fancy finger food! This is the perfect party appetizer.
I have a bunch of recipes that have always been my go-to’s for parties or potlucks. I’ve shared a few with you guys before – my taco dip is a fan fave for sure and this veggie dip is a family favorite.
Lately though I have been changing it up a little bit. Bacon wrapped dates are where it’s at. I’m sure you have seen them before – in fact, you have probably eaten them before.
Unless you hate bacon. Haha, that’s a good joke right?
Bacon Wrapped Dates
Bacon wrapped dates are one of the easiest finger foods to make yet still look slightly complicated. I dribbled a delicious, yet easy-to-make, honey balsamic reduction all over the dates to make them extra fancy.
For my sister’s birthday party over the weekend, I made a double batch. Somehow one lone date got left behind – the other 59 were swallowed up quickly.
For these pictures and the measurements of my recipe, I used smaller, pitted dates.
Keep in mind that if you use the larger type of date (I believe the medjool) then you should cut your bacon in half instead of in thirds. Also, you may need to double the amount of filling.
If you are feeling experimental, substitute the goat cheese for crumbled blue cheese. I tried out both versions at a party I threw for a friend and the goat cheese version was devoured quicker than the blue cheese version.
If you are short on time, cut out the honey balsamic reduction and serve this bacon wrapped date recipe without it. I can testify that the dates and bacon alone are a delicious combination.
Bacon Wrapped Dates
Bacon wrapped dates topped with a honey balsamic reduction - fancy finger food! This is the perfect party appetizer.
Ingredients
- 30 dates, with the pits removed and slit open
- 10 slices of bacon, cut into thirds
- 1/4 cup goat cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup chopped almonds (skin removed)
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
Instructions
For the Dates
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and cover a baking sheet with foil. Combine the goat cheese and almonds in a small bowl. Mix well.
- Stuff each date with the goat cheese mixture - you want to stuff them so they are full but not overflowing. Wrap a piece of bacon around the date so that the date's opening is covered - stretch the bacon if you need to.
- Place the bacon covered date on the baking sheet, with the bacon edges on the bottom. Repeat with all the dates/bacon, spacing evenly on your baking sheet.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the bacon is crispy, and remove from the oven. Let cool completely before serving.
For the Balsamic Reduction:
- While the dates are baking, combine the honey and balsamic vinegar in a small sauce pan. Cook on medium heat for 15 minutes, or until combination is reduced by half. Stir occasionally. Remove from heat and let sit to thicken.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 15 Serving Size: 2 datesAmount Per Serving: Calories: 119Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 9mgSodium: 158mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 1gSugar: 14gProtein: 4g
Michelle
Thursday 26th of December 2019
These are absolutely wonderful! I made them for Christmas yesterday and my parents absolutely loved them. They were very impressed by the honey balsamic glaze! Will be making these again for sure.
Kathy
Friday 20th of December 2019
These are really good! I did mine with medjool dates which are kind of big, I pitted them and stuffed with a pineapple tidbit. I put mine on the TRAEGER. I made the reduction sauce but cooked it too long and it turned out like taffy when it cooled. So, don’t cook it too long. The ones I made are bigger than bite size.
Jenny
Saturday 21st of December 2019
Now I want a TRAEGER! And the pineapple addition sounds delicious.
Caryn
Thursday 4th of January 2018
Would this be good without the cheese and almond stuffing?
Jenny
Thursday 4th of January 2018
I am sure it would be good - bacon wrapped dates are always delicious!
Mollie
Monday 7th of December 2015
Wow, these really look amazing! I can almost taste them and you've hit so many different notes with all the components! Thanks so much for linking up to Throwback Thursday! I'll be pinning to our board! Be sure to follow us there, https://www.pinterest.com/pin/500181102345022126/
Ashley
Monday 7th of December 2015
HI! Thanks for linking up to the Tasty Tuesday linky party last week. I have pinned your recipe to the Creative K Kids Tasty Tuesday Pinterest board. I hope that you'll join us again this week!