Bacon-wrapped dates

These are a quick tasty snack for any occasion. Guess what, if they fall apart you still get to eat sweet dates, nutty nuts and bacony bacon!!!

It is reported that date palms have been around for well over 50,000 years and are the world’s oldest cultivated fruit. Dates have a very strong presence in Middle Eastern and Arabic history and cuisine, and it’s not hard to see why—these soft, chewy, sweet fruits are super tasty. They are also super sweet—indeed nature’s candy—so if you’re working on leaning out, might be best to limit yourself to one or two of these!

Feel free to put your favorite nut inside the dates. I think pecan quarters, almonds and macadamia halves work great.

2 dozen dates, pitted
2 dozen almonds, blanched
8 strips bacon, cut in thirds

  1. Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C).
  2. Stuff each date with an almond and wrap with piece of bacon.
  3. Place on a heat-proof cooling rack set inside a sheet pan. Make sure loose ends of bacon are facing down.
  4. Cook them to a crisp on one side (4–6 minutes), flip and cook other side to crisp (another 4–6 minutes).
  5. Place on paper towels to soak up excess grease and serve.

Tips & Tricks—You may find it challenging to keep the bacon together. If so, run a toothpick through the bacon sideways to hold it.

Ingredient Notes—Medjool dates are the ideal date, and you can most likely find them in the produce section of your grocery store in the fall season.