Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Dates with Blue Cheese and Almonds

Bacon-wrapped stuffed dates with blue cheese and almonds — a salty-sweet, crunchy appetizer that’s ideal for cocktail parties or a pre-dinner nibble.

I’m a sucker for small, snackable appetizers. They do take a bit of assembly, which is why I usually save them for entertaining. These bacon-wrapped dates are worth the effort: each bite balances the sweetness of the date, the tang of blue cheese, the crunch of an almond, and the savory finish of crisped bacon.

I first tasted a version of these at a tapas restaurant called Boqueria in Washington DC and decided to recreate them at home. Once you assemble a few, the rhythm of stuffing and wrapping becomes addictive.

How to make Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Dates

The ingredient list is intentionally short and easy to scale. For the quantities below you’ll get about 24 finished pieces (roughly 4 pieces per guest for six people). Ingredients:

• 24 fresh dates (choose the soft, fresh dates from the produce section — not the hard, dried baking dates)
• 3–4 oz blue cheese, at room temperature (a softer blue is easier to work with)
• 24 roasted almonds (plain, unsalted work well)
• 4 slices bacon (regular-cut is easier to wrap than thick-cut)

You can scale this up or down — the method stays the same.

Preparation is straightforward but a little repetitive. Expect the stuffing stage to take time — I made 42 pieces once and spent about 44 minutes on stuffing alone while watching a show. Wrapping adds additional time, but the steps are simple.

Key tips:

• Partially cook the bacon before wrapping. If you wrap the dates in raw bacon, the date can scorch before the bacon is done. Pull the bacon when it’s still pliable — not crispy — then let it cool enough to handle.
• Test a slice against a stuffed date to decide how to cut your bacon. Large slices can be cut in half widthwise and then into thirds. I wrapped three dates in each half-slice (six per original slice). If your bacon slices are narrow, cut each slice into thirds and use one strip per date.
• Place wrapped dates seam-side down on a baking sheet for baking. You can make them ahead and refrigerate them until ready to bake.

Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C) and bake the prepared dates for about 8–10 minutes, watching carefully so they don’t burn. You want the bacon crisped and the cheese warmed, but not charred. Let them cool slightly before serving.

These are delightful served warm with a glass of red wine or alongside other small plates. Because each bite is rich, plan on 3–6 pieces per person depending on your guest list and the rest of the menu.

Bacon-Wrapped Dates Nutrition Notes

These bites are calorie- and fat-dense because of the bacon, cheese, and nuts. The recipe listed below estimates about 256 calories per serving (4 pieces). Enjoy them in moderation as an indulgent appetizer.

Want more Appetizer Recipes?

Recipe

Ingredients

• 24 dates
• 3–4 oz blue cheese, at room temperature
• 24 almonds
• 4 slices bacon (regular-cut)

Instructions

1. Partially cook the bacon by your preferred method (oven or stovetop). Remove it from heat while still pliable and let it cool on paper towels.
2. Use a paring knife to slice each date open and remove the pit. Stuff each date with a small ball of blue cheese and one almond.
3. Hold a stuffed date against a bacon slice to determine how to cut the bacon. For large slices, cut in half width-wise and then into thirds; for narrower slices, cut each slice into thirds. Adjust based on the size of your dates and bacon.
4. Wrap each stuffed date with a bacon strip and place seam-side down on a baking sheet.
5. Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C). Bake the dates for 8–10 minutes, watching closely so the bacon crisps without burning. Remove, cool slightly, and serve warm.

Nutrition (approximate per serving — 4 pieces)

• Calories: 256 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 26 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Fat: 16 g (Saturated fat: 6 g)
• Cholesterol: 20 mg
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fiber: 3 g
• Sugar: 21 g

Make these ahead for easy entertaining: assemble and refrigerate, then bake just before serving for best texture. Enjoy the salty, sweet, and crunchy contrast in every bite.