Dates are one of the most underrated food items out there. Many people think they are only suitable for making desserts, but they have many tricks up their sleeves.
One of the best dishes is the dates wrapped in bacon, which is actually a salty dish, so it is different from what you are used to eating dates.
It mixes sweetness, a smoky and salty flavor from the bacon, and also, like any good tapas recipe, it can be eaten in just one bite.
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Continue reading to learn more about how you can make it yourself.
Background of the Dish
The south of Spain is full of fantastic tapas recipes, such as Fried anchovies or the famous Croquettes de Jamon, so the competition is not easy.
However, the dates wrapped in bacon managed to find a place in the hearts and cookbooks of all Spaniards.
The story goes that the dish was created at the Hotel Huerto del Cura when it was served as an appetizer for Christmas parties, and people loved it.
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Things You’ll Need for Dates Wrapped in Bacon
This one stands out from other date recipes since you only need dates, bacon strips, and toothpicks to make it.
Ingredients
- 12 strips of bacon
- 12 pitted dates
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
- 12 toothpicks
How to Make Dates Wrapped in Bacon – Step by Step Guide
- To start making this bacon-wrapped dates recipe you have to wrap each date in a strip of bacon. If the bacon strip is too long, you can cut it in half.
- The next step on these dates wrapped in bacon is to close with a toothpick each strip so that they do not open. The toothpick should go through the bacon, so it is attached to the date properly.
- To cook it in this case we recommend frying it so it is more crispy.
- For that, you have to put a little oil in a pan, heat it up and once it sizzles, then place the bacon-wrapped dates so that they brown. Flip them halfway through so they get the color evenly. It should take 5 minutes in total.
- Put them on kitchen paper to absorb the excess oil for the final step. Your bacon-wrapped appetizer is now ready, serve it warm.
Substitution of Ingredients
There aren’t really many changes to make to these bacon appetizers since the only ingredients needed are dates and bacon.
Even so, there are some changes you can make to adjust the recipe to your tastes. One would be to fill the dates with goat cheese.
For example, instead of bacon, you can use regular ham, although it would not be the classic dates wrapped in bacon.
In this case, you should bake them and not fry them.
If you don’t want to fry them you can skip that step and make baked dates.
Follow all the steps in the same way, and when cooking it, take it to the oven at 200°C and cook for 20 minutes or until it is crispy.
You could make other bacon-wrapped recipes if you are not a fan of dates, like cheese covered in bacon (we recommend cooking it in the oven), or mushrooms wrapped in bacon.
The Spanish fried goat cheese served with honey sauce is a must-try recipe as well.
Tips on Serving Dates Wrapped in Bacon
Unlike other recipes using dates, as soon as you finish making these dates wrapped in bacon they will be ready to serve.
You can eat these Spanish tapas at any time of the day, and at any time of the year, regardless of whether it is winter or summer.
You can serve it with other Spanish appetizers such as Spanish meatballs or Berenjenas Fritas con Miel.
They are date appetizers so you should have them as a snack or serve them along with the main dish.
How to Store Dates Wrapped in Bacon
Like other Spanish recipes, these are meant to be eaten the same day you prepare them (keep in mind that they take less than 30 minutes to make).
However, you can keep them in the fridge for up to 3 days before eating them.
If you keep them in the fridge you should heat the dates wrapped in bacon before serving, you can do it in the oven so the bacon doesn’t lose its crispness.
Recipe Card: Dates Wrapped in Bacon
Dates Wrapped in Bacon Recipe
Dates are one of the most underrated food items out there.
Many people think that they are only good for making desserts, but in reality, they have many tricks up their sleeves.
One of the best dishes is the dates wrapped in bacon, which is actually a salty dish, so it is different from what you are used to eating dates.
Ingredients
- 12 strips of bacon
- 12 pitted dates
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
- 12 toothpicks
Instructions
- Wrap each date in a strip of bacon. If the bacon strip is very long then you can cut it in half.
- Close with a toothpick each strip so that they do not open, going through the bacon, so it is attached to the date properly.
- To cook it in this case we recommend frying it so it is more crispy.
- Put a little oil in a pan, heat it up, and once it sizzles, put the dates and bacon so that they brown. Turn them so they get the color evenly. It should take 5 minutes in total.
- Put them on kitchen paper to absorb the excess oil.
Notes
You can also cook these bacon wrapped appetizers in the oven.
You just have to follow the recipe, put a baking tray with oil or parchment paper and cook in the oven at 200°C for approximately 20 minutes.
Like other recipes with dates, the better the quality of the date you use, the tastier the dish will be.
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 379Total Fat 23.9gSaturated Fat 7.8gCholesterol 63mgSodium 1317mgCarbohydrates 19.5gFiber 2gSugar 15.8gProtein 22g
Hola, I’m Paulina! Together with my team, we are passionate about Southern Spain. Here we share all you need to know for great times in Southern Spain with the best places to visit, stay and, of course, the best food to eat.
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