It’s time for some cranberry, pumpkin, apples, and everything spiced! Sweater season is here which means we’re hungrier than ever. Want to know what food to cook this Fall? Keep on reading!
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Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Dates
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Dates are a savory-sweet appetizer or snack, served hot, perfect for having at a gathering. Pitted Medjool dates stuffed with a soft cheese like Blue or Stilton Cheese, then wrapped with thick-sliced bacon and baked on a cast iron grill pan (or rimmed baking sheet). They are so delicious and mouthwatering that you can never have just one!
Table of contents
Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Dates
Hi Everyone, Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Dates: You can never have just one and you think about them for days after you've had them 🙂
They make the perfect appetizer for a Christmas party, game day food, Father's/Mother's Day, or any gathering.
I love how they are naturally sweet like candy because of the Medjool dates and the salty kick they have with the crispy, thick-cut bacon.
This recipe calls to stuff them with a small amount of Stilton cheese (I used Cranberry Stilton Cheese).
You can also use any crumbly soft cheese (for example, blue or goat cheese).
The History of Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Dates
I love researching recipes and I found that this recipe is also known as "Devils on Horseback"!
What a fun name! To me, as an older millennial mom, this recipe has a vintage "feel" to it and I love discovering vintage recipes.
When talking to my dad about recipes his mom, my grandmother, used to make, he mentioned that she made stuffed dates.
I think she made an almond stuffed date that involves confectioner's sugar which is different from this recipe but it did get me thinking about date/dried fruit recipes and how perfect they are for the Christmas/Winter season of home cooking.
As quoted from Wikipedia:
Devils on horseback are a hot appetizer or savoury small dish. Recipes vary, but in general, they are a variation on angels on horseback (bacon-wrapped oysters), made by replacing oysters with dried fruit. The majority of recipes contain a pitted prune[1] stuffed occasionally with mango chutney or almond and wrapped in bacon. This is then baked in the oven and quite often served on toast, with watercress.
Other recipes stuff the fruit with cheese, almonds, smoked oysters, or other things in place of the mango chutney. Other versions again use liver pieces either in place of the prunes or stuffed inside the prunes. A traditional favorite is orange segments wrapped in another fruit.
Devils on horseback are commonly served as part of a Christmas feast.
So to be clear, this is not the traditional Devils on Horseback recipe but rather, a version of them.
I like making these Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Dates so much, do not be surprised if you see a recipe for the traditional version as well show up on the blog!
Ingredients
- 24 Medjool dates, pitted
- 8 ounces Stilton or cranberry Stilton, or substitute the same amount with another soft cheese like goat, feta, or blue cheese
- 16 ounces (1 pound) thick-cut bacon (1 package, I find that the thick-cut gives more coverage and substance)
- wooden toothpicks or small skewers
Kitchen Tools
- toothpicks
- spoon, for scooping cheese
- grill pan
- chef's knife
- cutting board
- plate for serving
Web Story
I love using a Lodge cast iron grill pan for this recipe, it's absolutely perfect for getting these Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Dates perfectly crisp.
I'm a Lodge Cast Iron partner and I have been absolutely loving their products.
I can't wait to show you more recipes using their cast iron pots and pans.
Recipe Process Photos
Here are some step-by-step photos of how to make Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Dates.
There are more process photos in the recipe card at the end of the post.
If you make this Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Dates recipe, please let me know in the comments below!
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This post was originally published on 12/17/2018 and updated and republished on 4/3/2021
Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Dates
Yield:
24 stuffed dates
Prep Time:
10 minutes
Cook Time:
20 minutes
Total Time:
30 minutes
Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Dates are a savory-sweet appetizer or snack, served hot, perfect for having at a gathering. Pitted Medjool dates stuffed with a soft cheese like Blue or Stilton Cheese, then wrapped with thick-sliced bacon and baked on a cast iron grill pan (or rimmed baking sheet). They are so delicious and mouthwatering that you can never have just one!
Ingredients
- 24 Medjool dates, pitted
- 8 ounces Stilton or cranberry Stilton, or substitute the same amount another soft cheese like goat, feta or blue cheese
- 16 ounces (1 pound) thick cut bacon (1 package, I find that the thick cut gives more coverage and substance)
- wooden toothpicks or small skewers
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- If the dates are not already pitted, you need to slice the dates lengthwise and take out the pit. Discard the pit.
- Put a small amount of Stilton cheese inside the date. Press the date together to close. Repeat for the remaining dates.
- Cut the thick-cut bacon down the middle so you have shorter pieces to work with. Wrap each cheese-stuffed date in bacon and secure with a toothpick. Place the bacon-wrapped stuffed dates on a cast iron grill pan or a rimmed, parchment, or foil-lined baking sheet.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Check them at 20 minutes. If you want them to be crispier, you can keep adding 5 minutes until they are perfectly crisp to you your liking. Enjoy warm!
Notes
- refrigerate any leftovers
Did you make this recipe? Tag @lifeslittlesweets and hashtag it #lifeslittlesweets
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned #ad
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Lodge 12 Inch Square Cast Iron Grill Pan. Ribbed 12-Inch Square Cast Iron Grill Pan with Dual Handles. -
Bamboo Cocktail Picks - 300 Pack - 4.1 inch - With Looped Knot - Great for Cocktail Party or Barbeque Snacks, Club Sandwiches, etc. - Natural Bamboo - Keeps Ingredients Pinned Together - Stylish
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Victorinox Fibrox Pro Chef's Knife, 8-Inch Chef's FFP
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1 bacon wrapped stuffed dateAmount Per Serving: Calories: 227Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 485mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 2gSugar: 16gProtein: 14g
Please note that the Calculated Nutrition is an estimate at best.
Owner at Life's Little Sweets
Sara is an architectural designer turned work-at-home Mom. She lives in New Jersey by way of New England and New York, with her husband and 3 kids under 8. She loves design, being creative, and spending time with family and friends. She loves checking out local businesses and eats and being apart of the local farm to table community.
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