If you're looking for an easy appetizer that's always the first to disappear, these Bacon Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Manchego Cheese are guaranteed to impress. Sweet Medjool dates are stuffed with rich, buttery Manchego cheese, then wrapped in smoky bacon and baked until perfectly crisp. The combination of sweet, salty, creamy, and savory flavors makes every bite irresistible. Whether you're serving them as a Spanish tapas appetizer, a holiday party snack, or an elegant starter for a dinner party, this simple recipe is always a crowd favorite.
"Beautiful salty sweet recipe. Was a hit at my get-together on the weekend. It really highlighted my home made manchego cheese."
★★★★★- Nathan
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🔍 Quick Look: Bacon Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Cheese
⏱️ Prep Time: 5 minutes
🕒 Cook Time: 20 minutes
👥 Servings: 12
📊 Calories: 173 per serving
🥓 Main Ingredients: Medjool dates, Manchego cheese, bacon
🇪🇸 Best For: Spanish tapas, holiday appetizers, cocktail parties, and dinner entertaining
⭐ Difficulty: Easy
A note from my kitchen
I'll be honest... it's hard to make dates look pretty in photos, and I still haven't figured out the secret. But don't let that fool you. These bacon wrapped dates are one of those 3 ingredient appetizers that disappear almost as fast as you can set them on the table.
As a kid, I wouldn't go near a date. I thought they looked strange, and I had already convinced myself I wouldn't like them. Looking back, that was one of many food mistakes I made growing up.
Then one day, a friend convinced me try a roasted date. I took a bite and immediately thought, "Sweet Heaven! What have I been missing?" Roasting transforms dates into little bites of caramel-like goodness with rich notes of vanilla and brown sugar. Needless to say, I didn't stop at just one.
Not long after that, I discovered bacon wrapped dates, and I was completely hooked. The combination of sweet, chewy dates and crispy, salty bacon is one of those flavor pairings that just works. They are absolutely irresistible.
Later, I was asked to write an article called for CityView Magazine called "Tapas Time!," featuring Spanish-inspired tapas recipes. Bacon wrapped dates were an easy choice to include.
Of course, I couldn't leave well enough alone. I started thinking about how to make them even better, and the answer was simple... cheese.
To stay true to their Spanish roots, I tucked a piece of Manchego cheese inside each date before wrapping it with bacon. Manchego has a rich, buttery flavor with just the right amount of saltiness and a mild sharpness that perfectly complements the sweet dates and smoky bacon. The result is an appetizer that's simple to make, incredibly flavorful, and one I never get tired of serving. I hope you love it as much as we do! Enjoy! Xoxo -Katie.
Ingredient notes and substitutions
You will need the following ingredients to make bacon wrapped dates stuffed with cheese.
- Medjool dates- Look for plump and glossy dates with slightly wrinkled skin. They should feel soft, moist, and and a little sticky when squeezed.
- Manchego cheese- Look for Manchego cheese in the specialty cheese section in your grocery store near the deli. It is a Spanish, sheep's milk cheese that has a rich, buttery flavor with a slightly nutty, salty finish. If you can't find it, aged white cheddar, Gruyere, Gouda, or Fontina will make delicious substitutes.
- bacon- Regular cut bacon works best because it crisps up while allowing the dates to cook through. Thick cut bacon takes longer to cook and may not become as crispy before the dates are fully heated.
How to make bacon wrapped dates
Bacon wrapped dates are super easy! Follow these simple steps.
- Preheat oven to 400 °F. Cut each slice of bacon in half. Partially cook the bacon, stopping before it becomes crispy. This makes it easier to wrap around the dates.
- Cut the Manchego cheese into small cubes that will fit inside each date.
- Slice each date lengthwise and remove the pit, leaving the date intact so it can be stuffed.
- Stuff each date with a cube of Manchego cheese.
- Wrap each stuffed date with a half of sliced bacons, securing with toothpicks.
- Arrange the bacon wrapped dates on a baking sheet. Bake for about 10 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the cheese is warm and melty. Serve warm.
Garnish Tip
I like to sprinkle a few red pepper flakes over the top for a little color, extra flavor, and a touch of heat. This is completely optional, but I think it adds a nice finishing touch.
Can you use regular dates instead of Medjool?
Yes, but I highly recommend using Medjool dates if possible. Regular dates are smaller and firmer, so they are difficult to stuff and won't have quite the same sweet, chewy texture. If you use regular dates, you may need to reduce the size of the bacon slice accordingly.
Can bacon wrapped dates be made ahead?
Yes. Assemble the stuffed dates, cover, and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours before baking. When you're ready to serve, bake as directed until the bacon is crisp and the cheese is warm and melty.
I love the salty, sweet, and spicy combination of these bacon dates stuffed with Manchego cheese. They are great for parties. Or you can make them all for yourself… with a little glass of wine…. or pomegranate sangria.... Because life is short, why not?
More tapa recipes
Please leave me a comment below if you make the bacon wrapped dates and tell me what you thought about it. I would love to hear back, and so would my readers.
Also post your picture of your dates on Instagram or Facebook, and tag @aforkstale with #aforkstale hashtags! I will share with my followers! xoxo!
📖 Recipe
Bacon Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Manchego
Equipment
- toothpicks
Ingredients
- 12 Medjool dates
- 6 ounces Manchego Cheese
- 6 slices bacon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 °F. Cut each bacon slice in half. Partially cook the bacon, stopping before it becomes crispy. This makes it easier to wrap around the dates.6 slices bacon
- Cut the Manchego cheese into 12 small cubes that will fit inside each date.6 ounces Manchego Cheese
- Slice each date lengthwise and remove the pit, leaving the date intact so it can be stuffed.12 Medjool dates
- Stuff each date with a cube of Manchego cheese.
- Wrap each stuffed date with a half of sliced bacons, securing with toothpicks.
- Arrange the bacon wrapped dates on a baking sheet. Bake for about 10 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the cheese is warm and melty. Serve warm.
Angela says
Wow, these bacon wrapped dates were truly amazing! They made a great appetizer for the party I went to over the weekend...everyone asked for the recipe!!
Syd says
If you ever wanted to know what to do with dates, then this is the recipe for you. A beautiful sweet flavor in a savory wrap!
Ben says
This is very good. Bacon and dates are always a great combo. I LOVED the cheese in the middle. Never had that before.
Terri says
These are amazing! It took a little searching to find the cheese, but it's available and SO worth it.
Nathan Broadbridge says
Beautiful salty sweet recipe. Was a hit at my get together on the weekend. It really highlight my home made manchego cheese.