Pioneer Woman bacon wrapped dates are an easy appetizer stuffed with blue cheese and jalapeños, then baked until crispy in just 45 minutes. That makes them a go-to for Christmas parties, Super Bowl spreads or cocktail hour bites, since the simple ingredient list does all the work.
The step that makes or breaks these is flipping each date halfway through baking. Without the flip, the bacon only crisps on one side and leaves you with a chewy top.
What sets this version apart is the honey brushed on while the dates are still hot from the oven. It melts into a sticky glaze that locks the smoky bacon flavor right to the surface.
Pioneer Woman Bacon Wrapped Dates
Course: AppetizerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy8
servings20
minutes25
minutes300
kcalMedjool dates stuffed with a tangy blue cheese and cream cheese filling, then wrapped in bacon with a jalapeño on top. They bake at 400 degrees until the outside turns golden and crispy.
Ingredients
2 oz. cream cheese, softened
2/3 c. blue cheese crumbles
1 tbsp. thinly sliced chives, plus more for garnish
1/4 tsp. paprika
20 medjool dates, pitted (from 12 oz. package)
10 slices bacon (not thick-cut), halved crosswise
2 jalapeños, cut into 20 (1/4-inch thick) slices
2 tbsp. honey
Directions
- Preheat and prep: Preheat the oven to 400° and line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil, then set it aside while you prepare the filling.
- Make the filling: Stir together the blue cheese, cream cheese, chives and paprika in a small bowl until everything is evenly combined.
- Stuff and wrap: Cut down the side of each date just far enough to open it like a book. Once open, stuff with about 1 teaspoon of filling, then fold closed and wrap with a halved bacon slice. After that, top with a jalapeño slice, secure with a toothpick and arrange on the baking sheet.
- Bake and glaze: Bake until the bacon is rendered and starting to crisp, about 20 to 25 minutes, flipping once after 15 minutes so both sides brown evenly. Once out of the oven, drizzle the hot dates with honey right away, then transfer to a platter and garnish with chives.
FAQs
Can I use a different cheese instead of blue cheese?
Goat cheese blended with cream cheese works as a solid swap if blue cheese feels too strong. If you want something milder still, try sharp white cheddar grated finely, since it melts inside the date without the funky bite.
How long do bacon wrapped dates last in the fridge?
They keep well in an airtight container for up to 3 days, though the bacon softens as it sits. To bring back the crunch, pop them on a baking sheet at 350° for about 6 minutes before serving.
Can I assemble these ahead of time?
You can stuff and wrap the dates up to a day in advance, then cover and refrigerate until you are ready to bake. Just add about 2 extra minutes of bake time since they go into the oven cold, and they will crisp up the same.
Do I need toothpicks to hold them together?
Toothpicks keep the bacon snug during baking, but you can skip them if you place each date seam side down on the pan. Once the bacon starts to render, the fat tightens the wrap on its own, so the seal holds without any help.
Why did my bacon not get crispy?
Thick-cut bacon is the most common cause, since it needs longer to render than the dates need to bake. Once you switch to regular sliced bacon and flip the dates halfway through, the fat has enough time to crisp on both sides.
