BACON-WRAPPED DATES
SWEET + SALTY PARTY BITES
Remove pits from dates; add optional almonds if suitable.
Wrap each date with bacon, spacing pieces on the tray.
Bake near 400°F for roughly 18–28 minutes; check bacon doneness.
⚠ Check first: Hot filling and bacon fat can burn. Almonds are an allergen.
Illustrative photo: misbehave / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0. Illustrative bacon-almond date appetizer, not our own kitchen test. Visible titles are WordPress text overlays; the original photo file is unmodified.
A sticky-sweet date inside crisp, savory bacon makes a bold party bite with very few ingredients. These oven-baked bacon-wrapped dates can be served as part of a relaxed snack spread, with citrus sparkling water and unsweetened iced tea for guests who want simple, alcohol-free pairings.
The method is inspired by established bacon-wrapped date cooking techniques, but the quantities, optional filling and tips here form an independently written editorial guide. It has not been personally cooked in our kitchen. Bacon thickness and date size affect cooking time, so the range is a starting point.
At a glance
- Yield: 12 bites, about 4 small snack servings
- Preparation: approximately 10–15 minutes
- Cooking: roughly 18–28 minutes at 400°F (204°C), checking frequently
- Equipment: rimmed baking tray, foil or suitable liner, tongs, clean knife, oven mitts
- Special care: raw bacon must be handled separately; cook it completely until crisp and safe to eat
- Best drinks: orange-lime sparkling water or plain iced tea
Three core ingredients
- 12 large pitted Medjool dates (inspect each one for overlooked pits)
- 6 strips thin-to-regular bacon, cut in half crosswise
- 12 roasted whole almonds, optional; omit entirely for a nut-free variation with appropriate kitchen controls
- Optional: fresh thyme or a small squeeze of orange for serving; neither is necessary
OVEN-BAKED DATE IDEAS
BACON MUST COOK FULLY
Illustrative photo: Eugene Kim / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0. Another cook’s bacon-rolled dates, not the exact recipe here. Visible titles are WordPress text overlays; the original photo file is unmodified.
How to make bacon-wrapped dates
- Preheat to 400°F (204°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and place an oven-safe rack inside if available, following equipment guidance. A rimmed pan is important because bacon releases fat.
- Check the pits. Cut a small slit in each date and verify the pit is removed. Put one roasted almond inside if desired, then gently close the fruit.
- Handle bacon hygienically. Cut six bacon strips crosswise into twelve halves on a clean surface reserved for raw meat. Wash your hands after touching bacon and avoid contaminating ready-to-eat garnishes.
- Wrap firmly. Wind one half-strip around each date, with the seam facing the tray. If a date will not hold together, use a small food-safe pick, then remember to remove it before serving.
- Leave space. Arrange in a single layer with room between pieces. Avoid piling dates into a deep tray where the bacon will steam.
- Bake and turn. Start checking after roughly 12–15 minutes; turn carefully with tongs and continue cooking as needed. Total time may fall around 18–28 minutes or longer with thick-cut bacon. Remove only when the bacon is thoroughly cooked and crisp, never partly cooked for finishing later.
- Rest before serving. Transfer with clean tongs, blot excess fat if desired and let them cool a few minutes. Hot sugar and bacon fat can cause burns. Remove any picks before a shared platter reaches guests.
Original Bite & Sip Picks mobile recipe infographic. Illustrative instructional graphic, not a firsthand test. Read the complete recipe, labeling and safety notes.
Two easy nonalcoholic drinks
Orange-lime sparkling water
Add a small orange wedge, lime squeeze and ice to ¾ cup chilled sparkling water. Its bright acidity balances the sweet date and salty bacon without needing a syrup-heavy mocktail.
Unsweetened iced black tea
Serve black or decaf iced tea with lemon and plenty of ice. The more neutral drink lets the sweet-salty contrast stand on its own.
Choose your texture and filling
| Preference | Make this adjustment | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Simple and classic | Skip the almonds entirely | Soft date wrapped in savory bacon |
| Crunchy center | Add one roasted almond per date | Extra crunch; contains tree nuts |
| More herb aroma | Sprinkle a little thyme after baking | A subtle savory contrast |
| Milder sweetness | Choose slightly smaller dates | Less concentrated sweet fruit per bite |
Bacon not getting crisp?
- Use regular or thin-cut bacon rather than thick pieces for small dates.
- Choose a rimmed tray and space the wrapped dates apart.
- Turn carefully to expose the other side.
- Do not rely on a precise timer; oven temperature and bacon thickness change browning speed.
- Do not intentionally leave bacon undercooked. If bacon burns before the date warms, lower heat next time and choose thinner strips.
Handling bacon safely matters
USDA advises storing uncooked bacon refrigerated, avoiding washing it, and cooking completely; partial cooking followed by refrigeration is not recommended. Thin bacon is hard to measure with a thermometer, so cook until thoroughly crisp using appropriate heating and package instructions. Do not assume cured bacon is safe to serve uncooked.
Primary safety source: USDA Bacon and Food Safety. Technique references: The Kitchn: bacon-wrapped dates and Epicurious: bacon-wrapped dates. Our instructions are not copied from those sources.
Allergens and serving restrictions
The almond variation contains tree nuts. Bacon can carry brand-specific seasonings and additives; check the label. This is a pork product and is unsuitable for guests avoiding pork. Keep raw bacon utensils separate from ready-to-eat ingredients. Some people prefer no toothpicks for safety, especially around children.
Make ahead without guessing
You may assemble the dates ahead of time and keep them covered and refrigerated according to the bacon’s handling instructions, then bake fully before serving. Do not partly bake the bacon and refrigerate the half-cooked mixture. Refrigerate leftovers promptly and reheat safely before eating.
Is this the cheapest snack?
No fixed cost can be promised: Medjool dates and almonds may be relatively expensive at some grocers. The sensible way to plan is to calculate 12 dates, six bacon strips and optional almonds from your local package prices, then decide how many bites each guest needs.
More snack-night ideas
For something lighter, try mango avocado salsa or blistered shishito peppers. For another sweet-spicy snack, see hot honey popcorn.
Editorial transparency — October 11, 2026: This is an original editorial preparation concept, not a claim of personally cooking or taste-testing this exact batch. Times and textures vary. The attached photographs are illustrations, not evidence of a first-hand test. Check labels and food-safety advice for your specific ingredients.
