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by Michelle
September 9, 2015 (updated Dec 22, 2019)
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4.50 (10 ratings)An easy recipe for bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with Fontina cheese. Only THREE ingredients and they can be assembled ahead of time. This is a perfect appetizer for any party or holiday!
The original recipe for Fontina-Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Dateswas published on August 25, 2009; I have since adjusted how the recipe is made and have updated the photos.
The first time that I made bacon-wrapped dates, I was hugely suspicious of the combination of dates, cheese and bacon. Which is incredibly silly, as I already know how amazing 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 amazing. Between the soft, sweet dates, the creamy melted cheese and the crisp, salty bacon – it’s pure heaven.
I made this sporadically for awhile, then two years ago, I 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 dateshave become a staple at holidays and family get-togethers.
When I first started making these, I used a smaller piece of bacon and broiled them in the oven. I soon learned that there is no such thing astoo much bacon, and using the broiler wasn’t a very reliable way of ensuring that all of the bacon was cooked through. I 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 my gosh, so, SOgood.
One of the things I love most about this bacon-wrapped dates recipe is that you can assemble them up to a day ahead, which is what I do almost every time I make them. I putthe pan in the refrigerator overnight and then all I need to do is preheat the oven and pop them in when I’m ready! This is especially helpful on a busy holiday.
Since first having these two years ago, my 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 amazing 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
Prep Time: 15 minutes mins
Cook Time: 20 minutes mins
Total Time: 35 minutes mins
An easy recipe for bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with Fontina cheese. Only THREE ingredients and it can be assembled ahead of time! This is a perfect appetizer for any party or holiday!
4.50 (10 ratings)
Print Pin Rate
Ingredients
- 24 dates, pitted
- 3 ounces (85.05 g) Fontina cheese
- 12 slices bacon
Instructions
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: I do not recommend using thick-crust bacon for this recipe.
Nutritional values are based on one appetizer
Calories: 79kcal, Carbohydrates: 5g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 11mg, Sodium: 101mg, Potassium: 69mg, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 35IU, Calcium: 23mg, Iron: 0.1mg
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!
Author: Michelle
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Originally published September 9, 2015 — (last updated December 22, 2019)
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60 Comments on “Cheesy Bacon-Wrapped Dates”
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Jonni Moon — Reply
OMG – these sound wonderful! Can they be cooked and reheated at the party? I can hardly wait!!
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Alexia — Reply
These would be perfect for a party. One of our local casual upper scale restaurants have them on the menu and they are very popular.
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Lisa — Reply
I made these as well as the homemade Cheez-its for an Oscar party on Sunday and they turned out fabulous! Everyone loved them! He best part is how easy they are and yet come off as very sophisticated. Definitely take the advice about not using a bigger “sliver” of cheese. I put as big of a piece as I could manage in each one. These took less than ten minutes to assemble, 15 minutes to cook, and tasted fantastic. They are my new favorite appetizer. Definitely a crowd-pleaser!
As always, thank you, thank you, thank you, Michelle!
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Janel from NellieBellie — Reply
I was just looking at a pile of dates I have and wondering what on earth I wanted to do with them… score! Thanks for a tasty, tasty recipe!
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Trish — Reply
YUMYUMYUM! These sound incredible!
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Cate | Chez CateyLou — Reply
I love bacon wrapped dates, but so often they are stuffed with blue cheese which I can’t stand – so I LOVE that you used fontina in here!! I can’t wait to try that – yum!!
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Susan — Reply
Hi Michelle: When you say to turn the dates half way through, do you mean turn the pan in the oven? or turn the individual dates over? Also, I noticed you answered Trent’s comment about precooking the bacon but did not publish the actual comment; I would like to know about precooking the bacon and if that makes these even crispier.
Keep up the good work! I love getting your emails every day and especially on Friday when I can see how your beautiful boy has grown each week.
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Michelle — Reply
Hi Susan, Turn the dates over. I would pre-bake if you were only going to broil them. However, baking them for this length of time at a high temperature will get the bacon nice and crispy!
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Kristin — Reply
These are also amazing stuffed with goat cheese!
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Sally — Reply
Hi Michelle! I can highly recommend these, I have been making them since you last posted the recipe! Although I do sometimes swap out the cheese for blanched almonds for my dairy free friends, which is also delicious and maybe slightly less naughty :)
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Bella B — Reply
Bacon makes everyone perfect! I want to try these!
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Honey — Reply
I made these. For my liking, the cheese wasn’t strong enough to offset the sweet of the date. So, I used blue cheese the next time I made them and they were out of this world!
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Lexy — Reply
Where in most grocery would you find FRESH dates? I’ve seen them packaged but I think they might be dried. Thanks. Looks so good and I want to try.
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Honey — Reply
I found them in the produce section. They were in a plastic tub, much like a smaller version of how some lettuces come packaged.
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Michelle — Reply
Hi Lexy, In my grocery store, the fresh dates are sold in the produce section.
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Betti@Stuttgart — Reply
I made these for the first time last Friday for a birthday brunch and it was the favorite thing on the buffet. So simple to make, and SO simple to come across as a gourmet chef – teehee! I couldn’t find Fontina cheese, so I used Gouda. Fantastic! I will definitely be making these again, and I won’t give up on the Fontina search. Thanks, Michelle!
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Soonerlaw89 — Reply
A hit!! I used the precooked bacon. I put ithem in the oven at 350 for 5 minutes, then turned the broiler on. Cheese was melted without burning the bacon.
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Connie — Reply
Just wondered if there is an Italian name for this wonderful appetizer.
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Michelle — Reply
Hi Connie, Not that I’m aware of… whatever Italian is for “amazingly delicious and addictive”! :)
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Jacque — Reply
These were great! People were unsure about trying them but once they did they couldn’t stop. Thanks!
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Jennifer Pace — Reply
Making these for a Christmas party tonight. Googled “bacon wrapped dates” and this is what I got. A great tapas restaurant in Atlanta used to make these- “Dream Dates”, they were called. It’s since closed, so I’m hoping these are a great substitute. Thanks for the great recipes!
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Steph — Reply
These are delicious! I made them for my family at thanksgiving and they were devoured!
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Michelle McC. — Reply
Hi there Michelle. I have tried several of your recipes, even added my own flare to a couple and I absoultely love everything I’ve made from your recipes. I’m wanting to try this one this weekend, I’ve been looking all over for fontina cheese though and I’m having a hard time. Is there a substitute you could recommend?
Thanks Michelle!
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Michelle — Reply
Hi Michelle, You could really substitute any favorite cheese that melts well – white cheddar, Monterey Jack, Swiss, Gruyere, etc.
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Rebekah — Reply
I made these for a Fat Tuesday party. I used regular old cream cheese, though. I didn’t really care for them (but some of my friends fell in love), and now I have leftover dates to use before they expire.
They did fulfill my goal of getting everyone to eat something new, so thanks for the recipe! -
Kristin — Reply
I have never had a date in my life but I loved the idea of them so I made them the other night. My husband and I had them 2 nights straight!! They are amazing. The only thing is I subsituted turkey bacon for regular bacon because I cant stand regular bacon. They were delicious though!!!!!
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Liz Marr, MS, RD — Reply
Sounds like a fabulous flavor combination
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Michelle — Reply
Avriesa – What about substituting turkey bacon?
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Michelle — Reply
Sarah – So glad everyone enjoyed these! They’re a great crowd-pleaser, aren’t they? Thanks for stopping back and sharing your results!
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Michelle — Reply
Trent — Stuffed dates topped with pesto oil sounds fabulous!
I used regular pitted dates, bought from a local Italian grocery.
Thank you for the tip on precooking the bacon, I will definitely try that next time!
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avriesa — Reply
Came across this recipe by chance and it looks yummy! :D Any idea on good bacon replacement? Since i don’t eat pork :( Great recipe though! :)
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Sarah — Reply
I made these for a bachelorette party this weekend and they were amazing! These were soo simple to make and I got tons of compliments! I will definitely be making these again soon!
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obparker — Reply
These look amazing & I can’t wait to make these. A friend & I used to indulge ourselves with Bacon-wrapped Smoked Oysters. If you like smoked oysters, give it a try some time. Just wrap & broil.
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Trent — Reply
Had some recently in New Hope, PA stuffed with blue cheese and also topped with a pesto oil.
Also, I there are so many different kinds of dates (along with prices). Which kind did you use? I’ve found the firmer date is a little better for stuffing than the softer ones.
I also had better success with pre-cooking the bacon in the microwave for one minute before wrapping to ensure the bacon cooks thoroughly before the date and stuffing starts to burn.
Thanks for the great article!
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Gigi — Reply
I’ve made these stuffed with walnut halves and they are also very good. I will try your fontina version. Looks Yummy!
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Michelle — Reply
Lisa – that cheese mixture sounds FABULOUS! And with a balsamic glaze? Bliss! Which restaurant in DC?
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Lisa — Reply
We make these at my restaurant in DC except we stuff them with a mixture of blue cheese, cream cheese and chives. After they’re baked we drizzle a little balsamic glaze on top that’s infused with chai tea (simple syrup with a couple chai tea bags steeped in, then combined with balsamic and reduced by half).
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Kerstin — Reply
I can see why these disappeared so quickly, they look super tasty! Love the cheese in them too.
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Ulala — Reply
I love these little bites too. I use Asiago cheese, and applewood bacon, and brush the bacon with paprika before I wrap and BAKE them. A little twist worth trying!
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Beth — Reply
Having been part of the crowd that devoured them, I can vouch for their awesomeness. Thanks for making them, cuz!
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stephchows — Reply
OH WOW that sounds so amazing!!
Do you think you are going to the foodbuzz fest in SF?? I think I’m going to go!
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Alta — Reply
Just found fresh dates for the first time ever, and bought them. Now I know what to do with them! If only I can figure out an easy way to pit them…hmm. Maybe I need to suck it up and buy a pitter. These look SO good!
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Theresa — Reply
Never had them with the cheese. I like that. Great idea.
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Mathilde's Cuisine — Reply
Dates and Bacon always go very well together, very well tought! Bacon goes very well with melon as well. Pour a bit of Porto on it and you have the perfect appetizer
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Hummingbird Appetite — Reply
They look delicious! I actually just made bacon-wrapped fingerling potatoes.
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Michelle — Reply
Linda – That’s such a compliment, thank you! You’ll have to make these and let me know how they compare!
Amy – Wow, thanks! Almost had you, huh? ;-)
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Amy I. — Reply
I don’t eat pork, but for a split second I considered it… that’s how mouthwatering these look!
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Linda @ tender crumb — Reply
yum, yum yum! One of my fav restaurants, AOC, has amazing bacon-wrapped dates, and these look even better than theirs.
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anncoo — Reply
This is pretty, you’re so creative :D
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Divina — Reply
That would be a great appetizer. There’s salty, sweet, something creamy. I love fontina cheese too. I think guests will be blown away by these combination.
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elly — Reply
I LOVE bacon wrapped dates. These look great.
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Rachel 'Tha Pizza Cutta' Joyce — Reply
Any date wrapped in bacon and stuffed with cheese is a great date to me!
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pigpigscorner — Reply
This looks amazing with the oozing cheese. I had something similar in a restaurant but they stuffed it with some sort of sweet chutney instead of cheese, they are called devils on horseback.
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Michelle — Reply
Hi Jenn – Yes, absolutely, totally 100% fab!! Thanks so much for posting it!
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Jenn AKA The Leftover Queen — Reply
I am so glad that you enjoyed the recipe! :) Isn’t it just fab?
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Zaara — Reply
These look AMAZING!! I’m always on the lookout for great appetizers – that are quick – and that don’t require your guests to come to your aid in actually making them (been there, done that , ‘nuf said).
I louuuvvveee me some Fontina too… -
Michelle — Reply
Hi Kaytee – Thank you! I did not precook the bacon at all – just used it straight from the package.
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Kaytee — Reply
Did you precook your bacon at all or just use it straight from the package?
This looks delicious!
