Published: · Modified: by Emily Criswell · I may receive commissions from purchases made through links in this article · 52 Comments
Sweet + Spicy Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates are crazy good and so easy to make! Thesedelicious small bites are packed with creamy goodness, spicyjalapeño slices, sweet apricotjam, stuffed into chewy caramel-like Medjool dates andwrapped in salty, crispy bacon.
this RECIPE
Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates, now that's my love language.
Okay, so in all honesty, CHOCOLATE is my love language, and it always will be. But, stuffedbacon wrapped dates pretty much ties for the win.
I mean really, what is not to love about salty, super crispy, pastured organic bacon? Mention BACON and pretty much everyone swoons. Well, the bacon lovers do for sure, and there are a lot of bacon lovers out there.
These stuffed bacon wrapped dates are full of flavor!
If you've ever cooked Medjool dates before, you know that they end up tasting similar to caramel. Oh my goodness they are amazing! Chewy and slightly sweet, they form the base for these delectable small bites.
Each half of the date gets stuffed with organic cream cheese and organic all-fruit apricot jam. This makes a super tasty, sweet, creamy layer that almost tastes like homemade candy once it's baked. This layer is important because it helps counter the spiciness of the jalapeño.
The creamy-sweet-spicy flavor combo is out of this world, especially when paired with the salty, crispy bacon. All of these beautiful flavors are truly a match made in heaven.
Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates are so easy to assemble.
It's so easy to make these stuffed bacon wrapped dates! All you need is the main ingredients - qualitypastured bacon, Medjool dates, organic cultured cream cheese, all-fruit organic apricot jam and some good ole jalapeños.
Make sure to grab some toothpicks because it makes the assembly process much easier.
Once you have all of your ingredients set out and ready to go, cut your bacon in half. Next up, cut the Medjool dates in half lengthwise and remove the pits. Grab a small amount of cream cheese and fill half of the dates up with the cheese, then fill the other half with the apricot jam.
Once your date halves are filled, slice up some jalapeños and add one slice to each stuffed date half. If you prefer less spice {like I do, my husband on the other hand can handle lots of spicy heat} remove the seeds and discard.
Now that all of your dates are stuffed, wrap each stuffed date with a slice of bacon. Use a toothpick to pierce through the whole date and secure the bacon. So easy! All that's left is baking, so into the oven they go!
Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates are the perfect small bite for any kind of celebration or starter course.
These sweet and spicy babies are always a crowd pleaser, so make a bunch because they disappear super fast.
Sweet + Spicy Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates
Yield: 18 bacon wrapped stuffed dates
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Sweet + Spicy Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates are crazy good and so easy to make! These delicious small bites are packed with creamy goodness, spicy jalapeño slices, sweet apricot jam, stuffed into chewy caramel-like Medjool dates and wrapped in salty, crispy bacon.
Ingredients
- 9 pastured or organic bacon slices, cut in half
- 9 organic Medjool dates – pitted (buy pitted or remove pit during prep) and cut in half
- ¼ cup organic cultured cream cheese
- 3 tablespoons all-fruit, unsweetened organic apricot jam
- 18 jalapeño slices (about 2 medium-size jalapeños)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Stuff 18 date halves with about ½ teaspoon of cream cheese and ½ teaspoon of apricot jam. Add 1 jalapeño slice to the top of each stuffed date. Tightly wrap each stuffed date with ½ slice ofbaconand secure with a toothpick.
- Place stuffedbaconwrapped dates onunbleached parchment paperlinedstoneware baking sheetor baking sheet that does not contain harmfulPFOA or PTFE like thissafer baking sheet. Place baking sheet in oven, set timer for 15 minutes. At 15 minutes, check for doneness of thebacon- if you're using thinner bacon, these will crisp up quicker in about 20 minutes. If you're using thicker bacon like I do, these will take about 30-35 minutes to bake. Set timer for another 10-15 minutes. Check for doneness, bacon is done when it “looks” crispy and is golden to dark golden brown (not black). Watch the bacon closely because all ovens cook differently and you do not want the bacon to burn. PLEASE USE CAUTION when checking the bacon - the bacon grease is very hot so make sure to use an oven mitt to protect your hand/arm.
- Serve warm or at room temperature. They are super HOT for several minutes after they come out of the oven, so be careful.
Notes
- You will need 18 toothpicks. I have made these without toothpicks, but I find it's so much easier with toothpicks because you can secure thebacon.
- You should be able to tell at the 10-minute mark about how much longer you will need to cook thebacon. If you’re not sure, just keep an eye on them becausebaconcan be temperamental when you bake it in the oven. You may need a few to several more minutes after the 20 minute mark to crisp up the bacon enough.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 18Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 79Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 9mgSodium: 108mgCarbohydrates: 11gFiber: 1gSugar: 9gProtein: 3g
This nutritional information was auto-generated based on serving size, number of servings, and typical information for the ingredients listed. To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in a given recipe, please calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients and amounts used, using your preferred nutrition calculator. Under no circ*mstances shall the this website and the author be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on the given nutritional information. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
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About Emily Criswell
Emily Criswell is a chocolate- and sweet treat-loving, holistic-minded mom of 4. She's a 4-time cookbook author -The Art of Great Cooking withYour Instant Pot {ranked in Amazon's top 10 new releases - gluten free recipes}, Amazing Mexican Favorites with Your Instant Pot{ranked as a #1 New Release BEST SELLER!}, Low-Carb Cooking with Your Instant Pot, The Big Book of Instant Pot Recipes, food photographer, homeschooler and the founder of Recipes to Nourish, a gluten-free blog focusing on real food and natural living. She works to empower her readers by showing them that there is a healthier way to eat and live. Her passion is to make healthy, natural living as uncomplicated and enjoyable as possible.Find Emily’s latest recipes and natural living tips atRecipes to Nourish. Connect with her on Facebook, Instagram,Pinterest, Twitterand YouTube plus grab her free eBookHolistic Tips to Keep Your Family Healthy. Read more >>About Emily.
Reader Interactions
Comments
Amy Thiessen
Triple YUM. I wouldn't have thought to add jam.. but now I can't imagine making these without it! 😀
Reply
Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
It's so good! The addition is new for me too, but now I won't make it any other way 😉 The jam really boosts the flavor and makes the dates taste like "candy" ... it's the perfect flavor balance. Hope you get to try some!
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Cristina Curp
wow! Those look so good. My husband's dream food!
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Thank you so much Cristina! They're my husband's dream food too 🙂
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Renee Kohley
oh my GOODNESS! I could eat that whole plate! I definitely need to try this as our whole house loves bacon!
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
I hope you get to make some, they're so good! Maybe do less jalapeño for the kiddos if the heat is too much?
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Rachel
Perfect combo of texture and flavor. Not to mention BITE SIZED! ???
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Thank you Rachel! Bite sized is always awesome 🙂
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linda spiker
These look and sound so amazing! I want them for breakfast!!
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Thanks so much Linda! They can totally be breakfast 🙂
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Raia
I've never tried to make stuffed dates before. Sounds pretty easy, and of course anything with bacon AND cream cheese is sure to be a win. 😉
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
I think you would enjoy stuffed dates Raia, they have that nice sweetness to them that you and I both love 😉
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Michele Spring
I LOVE bacon wrapped dates but this just takes it to a new level that looks incredible! I shouldn't do the cream cheese as it doesn't agree with me but maybe I'll splurge and get a nut-based cream cheese to substitute and try this out!
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Oh that would be lovely too! Cashew cheeses are so awesome! 🙂
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Dena Norton
I can't stand the heat, but my husband would love these...might have to make a weaker jalapeno free version for me! lol
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
LOL me too Dena! My husband calls me his "gringa" in a loving way of course because I can't take the heat at all! I hope you get to make some for your husband to enjoy. 🙂
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Carol Little R.H.
LOVE stuffed dates. Always a crowd-pleaser! I've made similar but WOW..these are the new ones to try, for sure!
Apricot jam will add another level of yummy goodness!!
Thanks for sharing Em!!Reply
Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
I know you love a little spicy kick Carol, I think you would enjoy these 🙂
Reply
Kelsey
Jalapeno poppers are some of my favorite appetizers, but the addition of dates? WOAH! This is a must try for New Years!
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Jalapeno poppers are pretty awesome too! 🙂
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Irena Macri
Love the addition of jalapenos in here! And with the apricot jam? Amazing how much you can make out of one date. Can't wait to make these!
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Thanks so much Irena! I hope you get to try some. 🙂
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Shashi at RunninSrilankan
Oh dear Gosh! These sound all kinds of wonderful! I have had the joy of feasting on bacon wrapped dates, but dates stuffed with apricot jam, cheese and jalapeno and then wrapped in bacon - why this is simply an irresistible appetizer as far as I'm concerned!
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Thanks so much Shashi! 🙂
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Cliona Keane
YUM! These look perfect for handing round at parties or just digging into on your own in front of the telly...love love love!
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Yes! So fun either way 🙂
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April J Harris
What a fabulous treat! Your Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates are the perfect balance of sweet, salty, creamy deliciousness. I can't wait to give this recipe a try!
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Thanks so much April! I hope you get to make some 🙂
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Andrea
I love bacon-wrapped stuffed dates and just posted ones with Gorgonzola last week. I'd love to try your version with cream cheese, jalapenos and apricot jam! Yum!
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Oh yum! Gotta love gorgonzola in them too! So yummy!
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Platter Talk
We absolutely love this recipe and idea. They will be perfect for our "bash" this weekend. Thanks!
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
How fun! I hope you enjoy them! 🙂
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STACEY
I love everything about these! Sweet, spicy, smokey, and cheesy! You can't go wrong with that combo 🙂
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Thanks so much Stacey! 🙂
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Amanda
I've made stuffed dates before, but this recipe has it beat hands down! I love the sweet, salty, spicy combination.
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Well, stuffed dates on their own are pretty awesome too 🙂 but the spice kick in these is a nice change too.
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Jessica DeMay
Salty, sweet, and spicy?? These look so amazing!
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Yes! All three of those in one bite 🙂 Thanks so much!
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Becky Winkler
This combination of flavors sounds out of this world! I love bacon wrapped dates and know I'd love them even more with these additions.
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Thanks Becky! They're so yummy! 🙂
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Taesha
Taking these to a NYE party tonight! I love the flavor combination and how simple they are! Thanks for another great recipe!
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
How fun!!! I hope you had a wonderful time! Happy New Year! 🙂
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ChihYu Smith
Totally delicious and perfect for New Year's Eve !
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Thanks so much ChihYu! 🙂
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Carrie Forrest
These sound absolutely amazing! I am sure I could eat 20 of these without blinking. I'm sure they are a wonderful appetizer and party favorite.
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Thanks Carrie! LOL me too! 🙂
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Michele
Oh my I feel like I can taste these now - I love sweet and savory and these look totally perfect!
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Thanks so much Michele!
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Donna
Bacon wrap sweet and spicy and you have my heart. I've made these 3 times now as they are my go-to app. So yummy!
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
That makes me so happy Donna!!! Thank you so much for sharing that with me. I'm so glad that you love them! xo
Reply
cakespy
I see that this is an older post but new to me (found it on food gawker). I love recipes like this - sweet and salty perfection! I wonder about trying it with figs, too. Yum!
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
So thrilled to hear you saw it on food gawker! I bet this would be delicious with figs too, especially since they're in season right now. I hope you get to try some. Let me know if you give it a try with figs. 🙂
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