For my last post of 2016 (yes, that’s right, I’m taking a little break until 2017 rolls around), I thought I’d share my new favourite appetizer: sweet & spicy bacon-wrapped dates! These are 100% guest-approved, and they are the simplest, easiest appetizer. Everyone raves about them (if I do say so myself!), and they can be prepared in just a few minutes. These delicious little appetizers look and feel fancy, without all the finicky and time-consuming preparation!
I’m joining my bloggers friends for a virtual cocktail party today, so be sure to hang around at the end of this post and check out all their fabulous ideas! This party was organized by the lovely ladies at 2 Bees in a Pod: thanks for organizing, Vicki and Jennifer. 🙂
Sweet & Spicy Bacon-Wrapped Dates
Ingredients
- 283 g pitted dates (about 40 dates)
- 1/4 cup maple syrup (honey would work if you don’t have maple syrup)
- 3 1/2 tsp (or to taste) hot sauce (I use La Costeña Mexican Hot Sauce – you can use your favourite!)
- 1 lb bacon (about 20 slices), each slice cut into thirds
- toothpicks
Directions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Combine the maple syrup and hot sauce in a medium bowl.
- Add dates to maple syrup mixture and coat completely. Allow the dates to marinade for up to 24 hr.
- Wrap each date in 1/3 slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick.
- Place dates on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
- Bake dates approximately 15 minutes on the middle rack, or until maple syrup is caramelizing and bacon is cooked.
This really is an unbelievably simple recipe: just four simple ingredients. There are plenty of variations on it, too: you could stuff the dates with goat or blue cheese, or substitute honey instead of maple syrup. If you want to add some salt to your flavour palette, you could add a bit of soya sauce to the maple mixture.
These make a great appetizer for a potluck meal because you can make so many in such a short time. Preparing one full batch takes approximately 10 minutes (not including the marinade). If you are transporting them, it is best to bake them on-site when you arrive. You could bake them half-way and then finish on-site, but it is best to serve them warm. So yummy!
Before you start hopping around to the other wonderful posts in our virtual cocktail party, I want to take a moment to wish you happy holidays (however you celebrate!), and a VERY good new year. 2016 brought our family so much joy (mostly in the form of a sweet little baby girl), and I wish you and yours every health and happiness in the year to come. It is such a pleasure to share my creative adventures with you each week: thank you for taking the time to read my musings here at Flourish & Knot. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season, and I’m looking forward to seeing you back here in 2017!
xoxo
Also lovely made with smoked dry cure bacon and masala soaked prunes with a touch of mustard applied to the prunes
Ooooh sounds delicious!!!
Sarah, we just picked up some dates and I had no idea what to do with them. I did not even think about a sweet and salty mix like this! My family is going to love these! Hugs, CoCo
I really hope they like them!
These were delicious, and a big hit at our party!
Thanks for the vote of confidence, mom! 🙂
This is such a great appetizer! I am always looking for something new to bring to a party. Thanks for the inspiration!
Glad you like the sound of it!
These sound absolutely delicious…we can’t wait to make them for ourselves. Thank you so very much for joining our hop. Merry Christmas!
Hope you enjoy them! Thanks for organizing the hop – great ideas!
These appetizers look so yummy…..I am going to make these at our Christmas Eve party. Thanks for sharing
Let me know how they go over with your guests!
These are definitely on my list for this year! Yum!
Glad you’re inspired!
These look delicious – you can’t go wrong with bacon! Merry Christmas!
Agreed. Bacon improves everything.
These sound so delicious! I just love dates (they’re far too underused and underappreciated IMO) and then you put bacon around them?! SOLD!!!
Ha, Lydia! They really are delicious.
I’m prettt sure that any food involving bacon is a sure winner. Love this simple recipe. Perfect.
Hahaha, Erin. So true!
wow i love bacon wrapped anything would never have thought dates! such a great idea can’t wait to try it
Me too, Keitha!!
These look so delicious, I’m going to make these for my husband. He loves anything wrapped in bacon!
I have never cooked with dates before but I absolutely Love bacon so I might have to give these a try :). Yum! Sarah, I hope you have a restful break and a very Merry Christmas!
Hi Tara – hope you try them! Thanks for your good wishes, and I hope you also enjoy a lovely holiday.
These sound amazing!!! My mouth is watering just thinking about them 🙂
These look interesting! Thanks for sharing, Sarah! Have a lovely 2017! 🙂
Glad you liked the post! Have a great new year.
I love those – just had a few of them actually, a leftover from NYE … Thank you for bringing those little sweeties along to Fiesta Friday!
Happy New Year!
I have never thought of adding hot sauce but it sounds delicious with the sweetness from the dates and especially the Maple syrup! Great idea 🙂