Yields: About 20 pieces
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
Ingredients
- 20 large Medjool dates, pitted
- 20 whole raw almonds
- 10 slices of thin-sliced bacon, cut in half crosswise
- Optional: Goat cheese (for a sweet and savory twist)
Equipment
- Baking sheet
- Wire rack (optional, but highly recommended)
- Toothpicks
- Parchment paper or aluminum foil
Instructions
Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).
Prep the dates:
- Using a small knife, create a slit down the length of each pitted date.
- Gently stuff one almond into each date.
- Optionally, if using goat cheese, stuff a small amount (about ½ teaspoon) of goat cheese along with the almond. Pinch the date to seal it.
Wrap with bacon: Cut each bacon slice in half crosswise. Take a date and wrap it with a half-slice of bacon, covering it as fully as possible. Secure the bacon in place with a toothpick.
Arrange for baking:
- Line your baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
- If you have a wire rack, place it on top of the baking sheet – this allows for air circulation and crispier bacon on all sides.
- Place the bacon-wrapped dates seam-side down on the baking sheet or wire rack.
Bake: Bake the dates in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and browned to your liking. If you want extra crispiness, you can flip the dates halfway through baking.
Cool and serve: Allow the dates to cool slightly on the baking sheet before serving. They are delicious both warm and at room temperature.
Tips:
- Bacon choice: Choose thin-sliced bacon as it cooks more evenly and crisps up better.
- Customize filling: Try different cheeses (blue cheese is fantastic) or even a sliver of chorizo inside for a spicy kick.
- Serving idea: For a beautiful presentation, arrange on a platter with a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
Enjoy! These bacon-wrapped almond-stuffed dates are the perfect mix of salty, sweet, and savory.
