Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Dates

What makes this recipe different

There are so many recipes out there for bacon-wrapped dates, and most are the same, but this one takes the classic recipe to the next level.

These little morsels are the perfect appetizer. They combine the tastes of sweet, savory, and salty along with crispy, melty, and gooey all in one bite.

This recipe is different because it’s more like candied bacon, and I prefer to cook it on the pellet grill.

Candied bacon is usually made with brown sugar and black pepper and sometimes maple syrup. The sugar coating melts into the bacon fat, making it sweet and salty.

For this recipe, I like to use a little hot BBQ sauce or hot honey along with a jalapeño to add a touch of heat. But you can also make it milder by skipping the pepper.

Ingredients

• Bacon: I use Oscar Mayer Original Bacon strips. You don’t want thick-cut bacon because it will take too long to cook.
• Dates: Look for whole pitted dates. They’re usually in the produce section. Medjool dates are plump and juicy.
• Brown Sugar:
• BBQ Rub: Use a sweet BBQ rub. I like my pork rub for this recipe.
• BBQ Sauce or Hot Honey: I love using HNY FYR BBQ Sauce on this because it’s like a cross between hot honey and BBQ sauce. But you can use any BBQ sauce you like or just go with honey, hot honey, or syrup.
• Jalapeño: For a little added heat and color, thinly slice a jalapeño to go on top.

Substitutions: If you want, you can stuff the dates with cheese. Cream cheese, goat cheese, or blue cheese are good options. I'll explain that process below.

See the full recipe card below for servings and a full list of ingredients.

How to grill bacon-wrapped dates

Heat your grill to 400°F (about 204°C) with an indirect heat zone. I prefer cooking these on a pellet grill because the indirect heat is really easy to control.

If you cook these on a charcoal grill, make sure the coals are not directly under the dates. If you cook these on a gas grill, place the pan of bacon-wrapped dates over a burner that is turned off.

1. STEP ONE: Cut the slices of bacon in half horizontally.

2. STEP TWO: In a large bowl, combine the brown sugar, rub, and sauce or honey. Add in the bacon and mix with your hands. Let it set for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, the sugars
3. will melt and the bacon will get fully coated. Toss again.

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3. STEP THREE: Take a strip of bacon out of the bowl and wrap it around a date. You can either secure it with a toothpick or just make sure the seal is on the bottom, so the bacon doesn’t separate.

CHEESE STUFFED DATES: If you want to add cheese, use a sharp knife to cut a slit in the side of the date. Stuff the center of the date with a small piece of cheese. Then, wrap the date with bacon.

4. STEP FOUR: Place the wrapped dates on a small sheet pan. Add a thinly sliced jalapeño on top and sprinkle with more rub.

5. STEP FIVE: Grill over indirect heat for 20 minutes or until the bacon is cooked through and the sugar is caramelized.

PRO TIP: Cook these on a pan instead of directly on the grill. This prevents flare-ups, keeps your grill cleaner, and makes it easier to add and remove them from the grill.

How to serve bacon-wrapped dates

As the sugars cool, they will start to harden, so it’s important to remove the dates from the pan as soon as possible. Otherwise, they will stick.

Transfer the bacon-wrapped dates to a serving platter and serve with fancy toothpicks. I also like to garnish them with chopped fresh herbs like parsley for a little color.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. These don’t freeze well. You can enjoy them cold, but they’re better reheated in the microwave or an air fryer.