These 2-Ingredient Bacon-Wrapped Dates are sweet, salty, and incredibly easy to make. With just dates and bacon, they bake into a simple appetizer that works every time.
2-Ingredient Bacon-Wrapped Dates (Easy Sweet and Salty Appetizer)
I first made these for a "nothing fancy, just snacky" kind of get-together, and they disappeared faster than anything else on the table. It's the contrast that gets people: the sticky sweetness of the dates with crisp, salty bacon around the outside.
What I love most is how reliable they are. No mixing bowls, no sauces, no guesswork, just a hot oven and a tray. If you want a party appetizer that feels special without needing a shopping list, this is one to keep in your back pocket.
Ingredients
You'll find the exact measurements in the recipe card, but here's a closer look at a few of the ingredients and why I use them.
- Dates and Bacon: I keep this truly two-ingredient, soft dates (Medjool are my favorite because they stay tender) and one strip of bacon per date for that perfect sweet-salty bite.
How to Make Bacon-Wrapped Dates
You can find the complete printable recipe with measurements below, but for now, here's a quick overview of how it goes:
1. Prepare the Dates: Slice each date lengthwise and remove the pit if needed.
2. Wrap with Bacon: Wrap each date with one strip of bacon and secure with a toothpick if necessary.
3. Arrange on the Tray: Arrange the wrapped dates seam-side down on a lined baking tray.
4. Bake Until Crispy: Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, until the bacon is crisp and cooked through.
My Tips for Recipe Success
Don't Overcrowd the Tray: I always leave a little space between each date so the bacon roasts and turns crisp. When they're too close together, they steam, and you lose that nice bite.
Common Mistake to Avoid (Seam-Side Down): I make a point of placing each one seam-side down. If the seam faces up, the bacon can loosen as it renders, and you end up with pieces that unwrap while baking.
Storage: If you have leftovers, let them cool, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To get the crisp back, I reheat them in a hot oven (or the air fryer) for a few minutes until the bacon firms up again.
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Recipe
2-Ingredient Bacon-Wrapped Dates
Ingredients
- 13 Dates
- 13 Bacon
Instructions
- Slice each date lengthwise and remove the pit if needed.
- Wrap each date with one strip of bacon and secure with a toothpick if necessary.
- Arrange the wrapped dates seam-side down on a lined baking tray.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, until the bacon is crisp and cooked through.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Liana says
I made these once for a small gathering and they were gone in minutes. That sweet-salty combination is impossible to resist, and I love how simple they are to put together.