Bacon-Wrapped Dates with Blue Cheese
Sweet Medjool dates stuffed with tangy blue cheese and wrapped in crispy bacon
Ingredients
- 24Medjool dates(pitted)
- 4 ozblue cheese(crumbled)
- 12 slicesbacon(thin-cut)
- 2 tbsphoney(for drizzling)
- flaky sea salt(optional)
📝 Make Ahead
Can be assembled up to 24 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bake just before serving.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F and place wire rack on baking sheet
- Make a small slit in each date if not already pitted
- Stuff each date with a small amount of blue cheese
- Cut bacon slices in half crosswise
- Wrap each stuffed date with bacon half, securing with toothpick
- Arrange on rack
- Bake 15-20 minutes until bacon is crispy, turning once
- Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with flaky salt if desired
- Serve warm
💡 Pro Tips
Medjool dates are larger and sweeter than other varieties. Don't overstuff with cheese or it will ooze out. Thin-cut bacon crisps better and wraps more easily. The rack is important - it allows bacon to crisp all around. These are best served warm when the cheese is still soft.
📜 History
This appetizer has Spanish roots, where dates stuffed with almonds and wrapped in bacon are a tapas staple. The blue cheese variation gained popularity at American holiday parties for its perfect balance of sweet, salty, and tangy. The combination exemplifies how contrasting flavors create irresistible bites.