• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Free Email Series!

5 Time and Stress Saving Cooking Secrets

Free email series of my best tips!

Visit my other Site: Pancake Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Free Email Series!

    5 Time and Stress Saving Cooking Secrets

    Free email series of my best tips!

  • Visit my other Site: Pancake Recipes

Rachel Cooks®

Easy Healthy-ish Recipes

  • Recipe Index
  • Popular
    • Instant Pot Pinto Beans
    • Green Beans with Bacon
    • Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
    • Roasted Sugar Snap Peas
    • Beef Stew Seasoning
    • Chili Seasoning Recipe
    • Thousand Island Dressing
    • Poppy Seed Dressing
    • Copycat Panera Squash Soup
    • Chocolate Chip Blondies
    • Instant Pot Pork Loin Roast
    • Frosé
    • Best Chocolate Cake
    • Dill Vegetable Dip
    • Instant Pot Jasmine Rice
    • Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
  • Learn to Cook
    • All The Basics
    • Crostini
    • Delicata Squash
    • Butternut Squash
    • Kabocha Squash
    • Spaghetti Squash
    • Guacamole
    • Croutons
    • Snap Peas
    • Baked Potatoes
    • Baked Bacon
    • Homemade Spaghetti Sauce Recipe
    • Simple Syrup
    • Pickled Red Onions Recipe
    • Toasted Pine Nuts
    • Roasted bone-in Chicken Breasts
    • Poached Chicken
    • Roasted Whole Chicken
    • Easy Cheese Sauce

Dinner Made Easy:

Slow Cooker

5 Ingredients

Grilling

Make Ahead

Sheet Pan

Tacos

Pizza

Home Recipes by Type Appetizers/Snacks
GF Gluten-Free

Bacon Wrapped Dates Recipe

4.50
/5
1 hr
13 Comments
Jump to Recipe Video
By: Rachel GurkPosted: 01/28/2019Updated: 06/14/2021

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

These bacon wrapped dates are stuffed with fontina cheese and sprinkled with an insanely delicious brown sugar spice rub. They’re going to be the hit of your next party! 

Image of bacon wrapped dates on crinkled parchment paper with two glasses of beer in the background.

I’m going to be upfront with you guys. I just Googled “Super Bowl 2019″ to find out when it was, so I could share these bacon wrapped dates before the big game instead of after. I’m almost always a little behind the curve when it comes to trends (and apparently also sports), and I didn’t want to miss the boat this time. 

Okay no really, if I’m reallllly being honest, I Googled Superbowl 2019” because this girl didn’t even know it was two words. Just keeping it real. Turns out the big day is February 3rd, which is right around the corner! So, not to state the obvious, but you need these bacon wrapped dates in your life. 

This is another recipe that I squeezed in a quick photoshoot for on the day when I was trying to do way more than I had time for (that seems like most days though, doesn’t it?). It was the day of the infamous crispy chickpeas spill. I served this as an appetizer at a belated family Christmas party that finally happened in January (Christmas break colds and fevers are the worst!). These were a huge hit, and I have to say, the leftovers aren’t bad reheated for breakfast, either. 

These bacon wrapped dates are stuffed with fontina cheese and sprinkled with an insanely delicious brown sugar spice rub. They're going to be the hit of your next party! 

You can also prep these ahead and bake them immediately before serving, which is immensely helpful when hosting a party. I stuffed them with fontina because I loooove fontina. Also, if we’re keeping up the honesty, I wanted to use a firm cheese (as opposed to cream cheese or goat cheese) because I thought it would be easier, faster, and less messy to stuff these with a harder cheese. 

Actually, I had my daughter help me make these (she’s 8 now…can you believe that?!). She had a blast doing this and it made less work for me…win-win. 

These bacon wrapped dates are stuffed with fontina cheese and sprinkled with an insanely delicious brown sugar spice rub. They're going to be the hit of your next party! 

About these bacon wrapped dates

If you haven’t had bacon wrapped dates before, you are missing out. The sweet, salty, and chewy situation is completely irresistible, and they pair so well with an ice cold beer. Like I mentioned, I stuff these with fontina, but you could use any number of cheeses. Goat, manchego, cream cheese, ricotta, cheddar, havarti…you really can’t go wrong. I’ve also seen them with an almond on the inside, too. Almonds will add great added crunch and will be really terrific with any of the cheese. 

In my opinion, the brown sugar spice rub is what really makes these stand out. It drives that salty-sweet combination home and adds that extra something. The spices are pretty mild, so if you want something a little bolder, double all the spice measurements, keeping the brown sugar the same. 

These bacon wrapped dates are stuffed with fontina cheese and sprinkled with an insanely delicious brown sugar spice rub. They're going to be the hit of your next party! 

PS: This also happens to be a gluten-free recipe if you’re serving any gluten-free individuals! 

More great gluten-free appetizers:

  • Bacon Guacamole Bites
  • Crispy Chickpeas
  • 7 Layer Dip
  • Homemade French Onion Dip
  • Whipped Feta with Lemon and Dill
  • Gluten Free Sweet Potato Crackers
  • Healthy Queso Dip with Butternut Squash

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

These bacon wrapped dates are stuffed with fontina cheese and sprinkled with an insanely delicious brown sugar spice rub. They're going to be the hit of your next party! 
Recipe

Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Dates Recipe

4.50 from 24 votes
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 35 mins
Additional Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 1 hr
40 dates
Print Rate Recipe
Prevent your screen from going dark
These bacon wrapped dates are stuffed with fontina cheese and sprinkled with an insanely delicious brown sugar spice rub. They're going to be the hit of your next party! 

Ingredients

  • 1 (10 oz) package pitted dates (about 40 dates)
  • 1 (12 oz) package center cut bacon, slices cut into thirds
  • 5 ounces fontina cheese, cut into about 40 small strips
  • 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Pinch to 1/8 teaspoon cayenne powder
  • 40 wooden toothpicks

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375°F. Line baking sheet with foil and place oven-safe wire baking rack on top of lined baking sheet. Spray baking rack with nonstick cooking spray.
  • Cut small slit in date so one side still remains intact (remove pit if you didn't buy pitted dates or if any pit remnants remain). Place cheese inside and close date around cheese. Wrap bacon around the date and secure with a toothpick. Place on baking rack with the ends of the bacon on the bottom (you also want the opening/cut in the date to be face up if possible). Repeat with remaining dates.
  • In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, chili powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne. I like to use a fork to make sure all the ingredients are combined.
  • Sprinkle mixture on top of each date, pressing down lightly to secure it to the dates. You can also dip the dates into the brown sugar mixture, but I found sprinkling it on was easier.
  • Bake for 30-35 minutes or until bacon is crispy and cooked through. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • If you don’t have dark brown sugar, light brown sugar will also work.
  • If you want, you can try these with any variety of cheeses. Try manchego, cream cheese, goat cheese, cheddar, or havarti.
  • The brown sugar topping is subtle and not spicy. If you want a bolder flavor punch, try doubling all the spices and keeping the brown sugar measurement the same.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 3dates, Calories: 62kcal, Carbohydrates: 4g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 14mg, Sodium: 106mg, Sugar: 4g

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

© Author: Rachel Gurk
Did You Make This?Be sure to upload a photo & tag me at @RachelCooksBlog. I love seeing what you made!
Share A Photo! Tag on Insta Rate It
Verdict: When I’m eating leftovers for breakfast, you know I’m a fan.
Husband’s take: I think at first, Ben was a little unsure about the whole date thing, but he loves this. So did everyone else at our Christmas party!
Changes I would make: None are necessary, but definitely feel free to switch up the cheese for new flavor combinations, 
Difficulty: It takes a little time to stuff all of these and roll the bacon around them, but it’s not difficult.
Holiday Quick-Start Guide

Get my Holiday

Quick-Start Guide!

Free email series of my best tips!

FREE BONUS!

You May Also Like...

  • Close up of a water chestnut that is wrapped in bacon and covered in sauce.
    Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts
  • Candied bacon, "pig candy", bacon candy, pork candy, call it what you will, this irresistible treat will have everyone calling for more! This candied bacon recipe is easy to whip up and is a guaranteed favorite!
    Candied Bacon Recipe
  • Image of baked bacon on a white platter.
    Baked Bacon Recipe - How to Bake Bacon Two Ways
  • Spinach dip in a bread bowl.
    Spinach Dip (from scratch or with seasoning mix)
Overhead of sheet pan chicken dinner.
Previous Post
Whole30 Chicken Thighs Sheet Pan Dinner with Smashed Potatoes (30 minute meal)
Next Post
Super Bowl Recipes – 21 of the Best Ideas for Game Day!

Reader Interactions

Leave a Review Cancel reply

Recipe Rating




The maximum upload file size: 1 MB. You can upload: image. Drop files here

  1. Sandy Rexroth says

    July 19, 2022 at 11:33 am

    I want to use this recipe, for the bacon wrapped dates and possibly add a partial asparagus spear. The only problem I may run into is that they will be served at a wedding reception and I will not be able to use the oven (private home and warm weather). Can I bake them just before I leave home and place in my glass casserole dish that will be placed in the special carry-all bag with the enclosed hot pack? They shouldn’t get too dried out, if any at all, do you think? The wedding and reception will be on August 6, 2022. Thank you, for any suggestions, you have and will be greatly appreciated!

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      July 25, 2022 at 3:26 pm

      I would be a little worried about food safety and not keeping them at a safe temperature. They’d probably taste fine that way but I can’t advise on the safety aspect of it, sorry.

      Reply
  2. Lisa says

    April 5, 2022 at 1:06 am

    I make it with Blue cheese and partially cook the bacon and then wrap and bake. I want to try the spice rub next time I make these.

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      April 8, 2022 at 11:44 am

      Sounds delicious! I love the spice rub, it adds a lot of spicy sweet flavor.

      Reply
  3. Liz Eischen says

    December 25, 2019 at 2:32 pm

    I made up an extra large batch for Christmas dinner… we’re excited to try them! 

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      December 27, 2019 at 3:38 pm

      I hope you loved them!

      Reply
  4. Alyssa says

    November 7, 2019 at 2:24 pm

    Rachel congratulations on the recipe, big family had to make two portions of this. Loved it so much practice thanks!

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      November 7, 2019 at 5:25 pm

      Glad you liked it!

      Reply
  5. Cherie says

    April 27, 2019 at 8:23 am

    Excited to make these for a party we’re going to tonight. Would it work to make these ahead of time and reheat at the party?

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      April 28, 2019 at 3:18 pm

      I think I’m too late, but I’m not sure that’s the best method…I’d wrap them and get them all ready and then bake them at the party if possible. Otherwise they might get a little dry…

      Did you try it?

      Reply
  6. denise says

    February 6, 2019 at 4:11 pm

    those look dangerously good

    Reply
  7. Karl says

    February 2, 2019 at 6:50 am

    Great idea. Might even pop some liver in mine as well

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      February 3, 2019 at 8:23 am

      Interesting! I hope you love them!

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

Welcome!

Hi, I'm Rachel! Life can be complicated, cooking shouldn't be! I believe that you can put a delicious meal on the table without stressing. It's possible, and I'm here to help. Have a seat at my table...let's chat, eat, and have fun! Read more...

Air Fryer Instant Pot 30 Minutes One Pan Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Slow Cooker Vegetarian 5 Ingredients

Trending

Cooked salmon fillet on a grey-toned plate with cooked asparagus spears. The salmon is being flaked with a fork.

Air Fryer Salmon – easy and delicious!

Pizza pasta being scooped from a pan with a wooden spoon.

Pizza Pasta – 1 pan, 20 minutes

Image of a giant bowl of spaghetti with turkey meatballs.

Baked Turkey Meatballs

Asparagus Panzanella Salad

Seasonal

Beef and vegetable stir fry in a black wok.

Beef Stir Fry With Vegetables

Hot honey chicken sheet pan dinner with honey being drizzled on.

Hot Honey Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner

Sweet and sour shrimp lettuce wrap garnished with green onion.

Sweet and Sour Shrimp Lettuce Wraps

BBQ Chicken burrito bowl with avocado and sour cream.

BBQ Chicken Bowl

Opens in a new window Opens an external site Opens an external site in a new window
Free Bonus!

5 Cooking Secrets to Save Time & Stress

Free email series of my best tips and recipes!

Featured On:

Back to Top
  • About
  • Contact
  • Press
  • Work with Me
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility
© 2023 Rachel Cooks®
Site Credits Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled