Name: Bacon Wrapped Dates Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 6 strips of thinly sliced bacon (you can substitute serrano ham or prosciutto); 12 large dates; 3 ounces of goat cheese; 12 toothpicks; 12 Marcona almonds ((optional))

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Learn the secrets to this delicious and simple Spanish pintxo recipe that I've made for countless gatherings at home: bacon wrapped dates stuffed with cheese. These are some of the most satisfying, quick, and easy appetizers you can imagine! You can bake them in the oven or even throw them on a hot grill (perfect for summer barbecues). Don't miss this incredible 4 ingredient tapas recipe!

Do you have a go-to appetizer? I sure do. It's a recipe I always use whenever I have people coming over for dinner; no matter how many guests there might be.

It's a delicious recipe that never fails to impress, but even better: it's so easy to make! What is this magic dish, you ask? It's my recipe for stuffed dates wrapped in bacon (or Serrano ham). And if that sentence alone isn't enough to get your mouth watering, then I don't know what will.

I first ate these beautiful sweet and salty bites on a trip to the Basque Country in the north of Spain. At an old-school tavern in Bilbao, where the wine ran freely and the pintxos were delicious, I decided to order the bacon wrapped dates.

In the País Vasco, every tapas bar has a counter covered with these wonderful morsels, the Basque version of tapas. Generally, pintxos are slices of crusty toasted baguette topped with something savory, but they can also be small plates or skewers, too.

And often the best are the most simple, like my favorite dates and bacon, a magnificent and creative work of food art.

Stuffed Bacon wrapped dates served on a cutting board — The perfect party food.

Stuffed Bacon wrapped date on a toothpick — Try to eat just one!

Key Ingredients

Bacon wrapped dates ingredients on a white marble countertop

Key Ingredients: Dates, cheese, bacon or cured ham, almonds (optional).

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

To make my Basque-inspired bacon wrapped dates recipe, all you'll need are three ingredients: dates, bacon, and cheese. That's it! Get creative by adding an almond too.

Cheese: The cheese you choose is up to you, but I almost always go for goat cheese. Alternatively, you can use Manchego or even blue cheese for a snack with a kick. But I find that goat cheese gives you the gooeyness we all crave, as well as a bit of acidity to cut through 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. You could also use thinly sliced jamón serrano or prosciutto.
Almond: You can also optionally add a Spanish Marcona almond inside (it adds a delicious crunch!). Not an almond lover? A hazelnut, pecan, or macadamia nut all work well too.
Toothpicks: These are held together by a toothpick, as good pintxos should be! For best results, soak the toothpicks in water before using them in the oven.

Vegetarian Adaptation

If you're a vegetarian, you might not have read this far -- they are called bacon wrapped dates after all! But I actually make these for vegetarian family members all the time! I simply don't wrap them in anything. They're still absolutely delicious served piping hot from the oven, stuffed with flavorful cheese and a Marcona almond.

Bacon Wrapped Dates: Step by Step

These bacon wrapped dates are super easy to prepare! Buy pitted dates for an even easier process.

Steps 1-4: Start by cutting each date lengthwise. Remove the pit if necessary. Then stuff each date with a good amount of cheese. Add the almond (if using) and press closed with your fingers.

Bacon wrapped dates recipe steps 1-4 in a grid. Cutting, stuffing, and closing the dates.

Steps 5-8: Cut each piece of bacon in half (if necessary) and tightly roll each date in bacon. Close together with a toothpick and lay on a baking tray. Leave enough space between dates so each will get nice and crispy in the oven. Bake in a preheated oven (350°F/175°C) for about 15-20 minutes. Turn halfway through to make sure both sides get nice and crispy.

Stuffed dates wrapped in bacon steps 5-8 in a grid. Wrapping the dates with bacon and putting in a toothpick

Step 9: Let them cool for a couple of minutes, then remove from the baking tray, plate, and enjoy! Warn guests they can be very hot inside.

Cooked bacon wrapped dates on a baking tray.

Recipe Tips & FAQs

Speaking of the oven, make sure to use a baking dish with a raised rim (and one you can clean easily). The bacon is going to give off a bit of grease as it bakes, so be prepared for a bit of leftover mess.

My 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). Alternatively, why not combine them with some of my other authentic Basque pintxos recipes for a night of Spanish food or a grazing plate of appetizers?!

Bacon wrapped dates on a wooden platter.

Serving Suggestions

These make the perfect part of any Spanish tapas feast! Check out my list of 30 top Spanish recipes here.

More Easy Pintxos Recipes

Chorizo al Vino Tinto: This simple recipe cooks flavorful chorizo in red wine for an impressive (and simple) pintxo or tapa.
Spanish Meatballs: There are slightly more time-consuming, but worth the effort. Spanish albóndigas are the best.
Gilda Skewers: The most popular Basque pintxo is made using jarred pickled peppers, olives, and anchovies. Don't judge until you've tried it!
Brocheta de Gambas: These easy shrimp skewers are perfect for a barbecue.

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