Candied Bacon Dates
Sweet, salty, creamy… this candied bacon date canapé hits in all the right places! Ready in under 30 minutes and requiring only 4 ingredients, this will soon become your go-to party snack.
Make an impression this Christmas with these moreish bacon-wrapped date appetisers. The combination of crispy, salty bacon and soft, sweet dates will keep your family members happy this festive season – and your in-laws mouths preoccupied.
No need to spend hours in the kitchen, this simple snack takes just minutes to prepare and can be made in advance. Simply place the uncooked, bacon wrapped dates in the fridge for up to 3-4 days before your party, and simply pop into the air fryer when guests arrive.
Originally known as Devils on Horseback, this savoury snack can be soaked in liqueur for an additional kick of flavour. And if you want an extra texture sensation, add a roasted almond in the centre of the date as a hidden surprise!
For more Christmas snack inspiration, try one of our other Snack recipes here. These Christmas sausage rolls or our easy Marinated Yoghurt Balls are the perfect addition to your Christmas feast!
If you try this recipe, let us know how it goes! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag your photo #theculinarycartel on Instagram so we can see what you come up with. See our Instagram recipe video here. Happy cooking, and most importantly, enjoy these mouthwatering treats!
Frequently Asked Questions
Candied Bacon Dates
- Total Time: 30
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Maple syrup, candied bacon dates stuffed with goats cheese are the perfect Christmas party canapé this festive season.
Ingredients
- 200g Medjool dates
- 40ml Maple syrup
- 6 Slices of streaky bacon, cut in half
- 80g Hard goats cheese or gruyere*
- Chopped pistachios for serving (optional) *other types of cheese can be used here, but bear in mind they may melt out of the date. Use a flavourful cheese, will soften beautifully, but not melt out completely. Feta, aged parmesan and young pecorino are fantastic alternatives
Instructions
- Slice halfway through the date to reveal the pit, then pinch the date and remove the pit.
- Slice the goats cheese into 1 cm thick strips, long enough to sit snugly in your dates.
- Cut the bacon rashers in half* and wrap them around the stuffed date, with the bacon seam meeting underneath.
*Half of streaky bacon needs to be enough to fit snugly around the date. - Place the bacon wrapped date into an air fryer or onto a baking tray, bacon seam side down. If using an air fryer, there is no need to pre-heat, cook at 185C for 5 minutes, until the bacon is cooked but not browned. If using an oven, pre-heat and then cook at 190C for 5-10 minutes.
- After this, brush the bacon with maple syrup and return to cook for a further 5 minutes, repeat this process throughout to ensure they are glossy, candied and golden, creating a lacquered look. Once they are crisp and lacquered, they are ready to serve.
Note: adding the glaze before the bacon has pre-cooked will prevent you from getting a nice crispy on the bacon, and the glaze may burn.
- Category: Snacks
- Cuisine: Canapé
Nutrition
- Calories: 1437.65kcal
- Sugar: 166.43g
- Sodium: 2184.2mg
- Fat: 60.9g
- Carbohydrates: 188.08g
- Protein: 51.91g
6 Responses
Really easy and tasty recipe to have on hand. Thanks for sharing.
Varied stuffing – Brazil nut 1/2, toasted pecans, sweet heat cheddar, and another hard strong cheese.
Cut thin sliced/regular sliced bacon into thirds to snugly wrap around my smaller dates. Stuffed dates, Secured with toothpick, Baked, turned at half time and coated with a bourbon maple syrup.
The cheeses melted and ran – not so pretty
The nuts were fabulous. The Brazil nut was my favorite
The syrup needs added toward the end as it burns easily
Thank you so much for your beautiful recipes, it’s on my to do list for our get together party🎄
Of course! Thank you for sharing your thoughts Carollynn. We are happy that you liked them 🙂
This sounds absolutely incredible!!
Thank you for following along Maria. I hope you get to make these soon