The classic recipe of bacon wrapped dates made even better with a little hot honey, brown sugar and jalapeno on your pellet grill or smoker.
Table of Contents
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 a little different because it’s more like candied bacon, and I like 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 jalapeno to add a touch of heat. But you can also make it more mild by leaving off 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.
- Jalapeno: 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 400F degrees with an indirect heat zone. I like 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.
- STEP ONE: Cut the slices of bacon in half horizontally.
- 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 will melt and the bacon will get fully coated. Toss again.
- 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.
- STEP FOUR: Place the wrapped dates on a small sheet pan. Add a thinly sliced jalapeno slice on top and sprinkle with more rub.
- 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 flareups, 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 really freeze well. You can enjoy them cold, but they’re better reheated in the microwave or in an air fryer.
GCG Pro Pitmaster Tips
- Use thin bacon, not thick-cut
- Let the bacon sit in the spices for 15 minutes
- Smoke over indirect heat so they don’t burn
Frequently Asked Questions
So many cheeses pair well with dates. For something with a little more bite, choose goat cheese or blue cheese. For something more mild, use cream cheese or fontina cheese.
Bacon wrapped dates are great on a charcuterie platter with other cured meats, cheeses, nuts and sliced apples. Consider serving with smoked cream cheese covered with Homemade Red Pepper Jelly.
Devils on horseback is a classic appetizer made with dates or prunes stuffed with a whole almond or cheese that are wrapped in bacon.
More appetizer recipes
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Grilled Bacon Wrapped Dates
Ingredients
- 8 slices bacon, not thick-cut
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp BBQ rub
- 16 dates, whole, pitted
- 1 tbsp BBQ sauce or hot honey
- 16 slices jalapeno
Instructions
- Heat Grill: Heat your smoker to 400F degrees with an indirect heat zone.
- Prep: Cut eight strips of bacon in half so you have 16 pieces of bacon.
- Mix: Place the brown sugar, rub, sauce or hot honey and bacon in a large bowl. Mix well. Let it set for 15 minutes. The seasoning will start to liquefy. Mix again to make sure the bacon is coated.
- Wrap: Take a strip of bacon out of the bowl. Wrap around one date. Set it seam-side down on a sheet pan.
- Season: Place a thin jalapeno slice on top of each wrapped date. Season the top with a pinch of rub.
- Smoke: Place the pan onto the preheated grill. Smoke for 20 minutes, until the bacon is cooked through.
- Serve: Remove the dates from the pan before they cool and stick. Place on a serving platter and serve with toothpicks.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I made these and they were excellent! Better than my usual recipe. I used a Beechers white cheddar and hot honey. I only had thick sliced bacon so I parcooked the bacon to ensure it got done quicker. Also used Holy Cow BBQ rub. Several people at the party requested the recipe! Yummo!