Published: by Lauren Aloise · This post may contain affiliate links ·
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Learn the secret to making this delicious Spanish pintxo with this irresistible bacon-wrapped dates (dátiles rellenos) recipe! These quick and easy bites can be oven baked or grilled, and are perfect for any gathering. Don't miss this 4-ingredient tapas sensation!
For more tasty appetizer recipes, make sure to check out these 10 easy pintxos recipes and 50 Spanish tapas recipes.
Jump to:
- Introduction
- Ingredients
- Variations
- How to Make Bacon Wrapped Dates
- Recipe FAQs
- Serve
- Expert Tips
- More Easy Pintxos Recipes
- Bacon Wrapped Dates Recipe
Introduction
My go-to appetizer for any gathering is these bacon wrapped dates! It's a dish that never fails to impress, and is incredibly easy to make.
I first fell in love with this sweet and salty pintxo while visiting the Basque Country in northern Spain, where every tapas bar features their own selection of pintxos. These skewered morsels are a simple delight that you won't want to miss!
Ingredients
Making these Basque-inspired bacon wrapped dates means you only need three ingredients: dates, bacon, and cheese. I got creative by adding an almond, too. Let's talk about these ingredients!
- Dates: Start with whole dates. Use ones that are already pitted to make the prep even faster!
- Cheese: The cheese you choose is up to you, but I almost always go for goat cheese, as it turns wonderfully gooey and its acidity cuts the fattiness of the bacon.
- Bacon: And when it comes to the bacon, the thinner the better. That will help you get the crispiness you want when they come out of the oven.
- Almond: You can also optionally add a Spanish Marcona almond inside (it adds a delicious crunch!).
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations
- Cheese Swaps: Try Manchego or blue cheese for a snack with a kick.
- Bacon Swaps: Substitute with jamón serrano or proscuitto.
- Different Nuts: Try hazelnuts, pecans, or macadamia nuts instead of the almonds.
- Vegetarian Version: Simply omit the bacon and enjoy!
How to Make Bacon Wrapped Dates
If you’d like to see the full ingredients and instructions, scroll to the bottom of the post for the printable recipe card.
- Cut each date lengthwise, removing the pit if necessary. (image 1)
- Stuff each date with goat cheese and the almond, if using. (image 2)
- Press the date closed with your fingers. (image 3)
- Cut each piece of bacon in half if necessary and tightly roll each date in bacon. Close with a toothpick and lay on a baking tray. Leave enough space between dates so each will get nice and crispy in the oven. (image 4)
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes. Turn halfway through to make sure both sides get nice and crispy. (image 5)
- Let them cool for a couple of minutes, then serve! Warn guests they can be very hot inside. (image 6)
Recipe FAQs
What is bacon wrapped dates made of?
These bacon wrapped dates are made from pitted dates stuffed with creamy goat cheese and a Spanish Marcona almond. They're wrapped in bacon and baked until crispy.
How long do you cook bacon dates for?
Bake bacon wrapped dates for 15 minutes at 350°F (175°C), turning them halfway through to ensure they brown evenly.
How do you wrap dates?
Wrap the bacon tightly around the date, then secure it with a toothpick. Soak the toothpicks in water before using to keep the wood from charring as they cook.
What cheese pairs with dates?
These Basque-inspired bacon wrapped dates taste best with goat cheese, Manchego, or blue cheese, but you can get creative and try other cheeses like cream cheese or ricotta as well.
Serve
These make the perfect part of any Spanish tapas feast! Check out my list of 30 top Spanish recipes here. Combine these bacon wrapped dates with some of my other authentic Basque pintxos recipes for a night of Spanish food or a grazing plate of appetizers.
Expert Tips
- Feel free to experiment with different cheeses or nuts inside for fun and tasty variations!
- Use an easy-to-clean baking dish with a raised rim to catch the bacon grease. Alternatively, use a sheet pan lined with foil to make cleanup easy.
- This recipe makes 12 pintxos, but you can easily change the quantities to make as many or as few as you need for your guests or just for you.
More Easy Pintxos Recipes
- Chorizo al Vino Tinto Recipe (Chorizo in Red Wine)
- Spanish Meatballs Recipe (Pork and Chorizo Albondigas)
- Easy Recipe: Shrimp Skewers (Brochetas de Gambas)
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Bacon Wrapped Dates Recipe
This bacon wrapped dates recipe is my go-to appetizer for dinner parties of any size! You just need three ingredients and 20 minutes to make this delicious dish.
4.89 from 9 votes
Print (images optional) Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Spanish
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 136.81kcal
Author: Lauren Aloise
IngredientsUS Customary - Metric
US Customary - Metric
- 6 strips thinly sliced bacon or serrano ham or prosciutto
- 12 large dates
- 3 ounces goat cheese
- 12 toothpicks soaked in water to minimize charring
- 12 Marcona almonds optional
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Slice the dates lengthwise and carefully remove the pit. Replace it with a small amount of goat cheese, and the almond if using. Press the edges of the dates together to seal.
Cut the strips of bacon in half, and wrap each date in one piece of bacon. Poke a toothpick through the date to secure the bacon.
Place on a rimmed baking dish, leaving space between each date. Bake for 15-20 minutes, turning halfway through, until the bacon is brown and crispy.
Leave them to cool for a few minutes, then serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Feel free to experiment with different cheeses or nuts inside for fun and tasty variations!
- Use an easy-to-clean baking dish with a raised rim to catch the bacon grease. Alternatively, use a sheet pan lined with foil to make cleanup easy.
- This recipe makes 12 pintxos, but you can easily change the quantities to make as many or as few as you need for your guests or just for you.
Nutrition
Serving: 1date | Calories: 136.81kcal | Carbohydrates: 18.35g | Protein: 3.35g | Fat: 6.39g | Saturated Fat: 2.53g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.87g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2.57g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 10.52mg | Sodium: 99.15mg | Potassium: 197.71mg | Fiber: 1.73g | Sugar: 16.05g | Vitamin A: 113.05IU | Calcium: 28.47mg | Iron: 0.43mg
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Photography by Giulia Verdinelli
See Also
Goat Cheese and Caramelized Onion Pintxo Recipe
Pinchos Morunos (Spanish Pork Skewers)
More Pintxos
- Pinchos Morunos (Spanish Pork Skewers)
- Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Pintxo
- Tuna Stuffed Piquillo Peppers Recipe (Pimentos del Piquillo Rellenos de Atún)
Reader Interactions
Comments
Gaudi lover
Made these as part of our Christmas Day tapas, using serrano ham. Sadly, I waited for the ham to crisp and that made the dates overcook. They were tasty while still warm. I would make this recipe again using the recommended baking time and not wait for the ham to get crispy.Reply
Sue
Just one question . . . for those of us who are totally clueless about the Spanish language, how do you say "pintxos and which syllable is accented? Thanks!
Reply
Sel Runn
i made these but found that the bacon close to the inside of the date did not crisp or cook well. Have you had this problem? So i went ahead and cooked the bacon half way and then wrapped the dates around them. Now it was good. Have any ideas?
Reply
Emily Manschot
Hi Lauren, I make these every Christmas. I just found a new tip: I bake the dates on a wire cooling rack. I place the rack on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Very little clean up and no need to flip the dates. I bake them at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes, then I check them and let them go a few minutes more, if necessary. ¡Feliz Navidad!Reply
Giulia
Great combo! The sweetness of the dates contrasts really well with the tanginess of the goats cheese. I loved the almond too, that bit of crunch was super nice!
Thanks 🙂Reply
Emily
Love dates wrapped in bacon - I use pancetta - but great idea to also add cheese. Thank you for this tip.
Reply
