For easy entertaining nothing beats a tray of warm, just-out-of-the-oven dates wrapped in bacon and stuffed with cheese. These treats are the perfect combination of sweet and savory, creamy and crunchy. Without a doubt, this is one of those appetizers that always disappears first at parties, cocktails and catering events. While they are not the most photogenic food subject, they more than make up for it with their incredible flavors!
The few ingredients required for this recipe can be swapped out if you want to experiment, or, are missing one of the components. For example, you can use other cheeses, like Fontina, goat cheese, Gorgonzolla or even Parmigiano Reggiano, instead of the Asiago and the bacon can be replaced by prosciutto as a wonderful alternative. Whichever you choose, the result is always a crowd pleaser!
Bacon Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Asiago Cheese – Ingredients
- 18 whole, dried, pitted dates
- 8 oz. Asiago cheese
- 6 slices natural, thinly sliced, uncured bacon, cut again into thirds
- honey or maple syrup (optional)
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Check each date to make sure it is completely free of pits, as sometimes a tiny piece of pit can be left inside the date.
- Cut the Asiago cheese into matchsticks, about 1” long (or the length of one date). Stuff the dates with the Asiago cheese sticks.
- Wrap the dates tightly with the slices of bacon. Secure each with a toothpick.
- Brush with some melted honey.
- Place dates on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper and place the tray in the oven. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the bacon is crisp and golden. Turn them once or twice in between for even cooking.
- Remove from the oven and place on paper towels for a minute or so to absorb the drippings. Let them cool for a few minutes and serve them warm.
-- Dates can be stuffed, wrapped and refrigerated for one day before baking.
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These are indescribably delicious and absolutely perfect for your next cocktail party. They will go well with Prosecco, champagne, or, rye-based cocktails. Make sure that you use a saltier and firm cheese like a good Asiago, otherwise you’ll miss out on the salty-sweet combo of the dates, bacon and cheese (and soft cheese melt too quickly).
Yes, they are so good to serve with cocktails! Asiago and crispy bacon is a great flavor combination, but any salty, firm cheese will go well too!