Cheesy Bacon-Wrapped Dates
A straightforward recipe for bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with Fontina cheese. Only THREE ingredients and they can be assembled ahead of time. This is a reliable appetizer for any party or holiday!
The original recipe for Fontina-Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Dates was published on August 25, 2009; we have since adjusted how the recipe is made and have updated the photos.
The first time that we made bacon-wrapped dates, we were hugely suspicious of the combination of dates, cheese and bacon. Which is incredibly silly, as we already know how memorable 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 memorable. Between the soft, sweet dates, the creamy melted cheese and the crisp, salty bacon – it’s pure heaven.
We made this sporadically for awhile, then two years ago, we 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.
When we first started making these, we used a smaller piece of bacon and broiled them in the oven. We soon learned that there is no such thing as too much bacon, and using the broiler wasn’t a reliable way of ensuring that all of the bacon was cooked through. We 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 our gosh, so, SO good.
One of the things we love most about this bacon-wrapped dates recipe is that you can assemble them up to a day ahead, which is what we do almost every time we make them. We put the pan in the refrigerator overnight and then all we need to do is preheat the oven and pop them in when we're ready! This is especially helpful on a busy holiday.
Since first having these two years ago, our 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 memorable 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
Yield: 24 wrapped dates A straightforward recipe for bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with Fontina cheese. Only THREE ingredients and it can be assembled ahead of time! This is a reliable appetizer for any party or holiday!- 24 dates, pitted
- 3 ounces (85.05 g) Fontina cheese
- 12 slices bacon
- 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
Note #1: You can use any type of date, but if you use large Medjool dates, be sure to stuff it with enough cheese to fill it up. If not, the cheese can kind of get lost in there! Note #2: we do not recommend using thick-crust bacon for this recipe. Nutritional values are based on one appetizer
- Yield: 24 wrapped dates
- Prep: 15 minutes
- Cook: 20 minutes
- Total: 35 minutes
Ingredients
- 24 dates, pitted
- 3 ounces ( 85.05 g ) Fontina cheese
- 12 slices bacon
Method
- 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.
