Bacon Wrapped Dates Recipe (Dátiles Rellenos) - Spanish Sabores (2024)

Learn the secret to making this delicious Spanish pintxo with this irresistible bacon-wrapped dates (dátiles rellenos) recipe! These quick and easy bites can be oven baked or grilled, and are perfect for any gathering. Don't miss this 4-ingredient tapas sensation!

For more tasty appetizer recipes, make sure to check out these 10 easy pintxos recipes and 50 Spanish tapas recipes.

Introduction

My go-to appetizer for any gathering is these bacon wrapped dates! It's a dish that never fails to impress, and is incredibly easy to make.

I first fell in love with this sweet and salty pintxo while visiting the Basque Country in northern Spain, where every tapas bar features their own selection of pintxos. These skewered morsels are a simple delight that you won't want to miss!

Ingredients

Making these Basque-inspired bacon wrapped dates means you only need three ingredients: dates, bacon, and cheese. I got creative by adding an almond, too. Let's talk about these ingredients!

• Dates: Start with whole dates. Use ones that are already pitted to make the prep even faster!
• Cheese: The cheese you choose is up to you, but I almost always go for goat cheese, as it turns wonderfully gooey and its acidity cuts the fattiness of the bacon.
• Bacon: And when it comes to the bacon, the thinner the better. That will help you get the crispiness you want when they come out of the oven.
• Almond: You can also optionally add a Spanish Marcona almond inside (it adds a delicious crunch!).

See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Variations

• Cheese Swaps: Try Manchego or blue cheese for a snack with a kick.
• Bacon Swaps: Substitute with jamón serrano or proscuitto.
• Different Nuts: Try hazelnuts, pecans, or macadamia nuts instead of the almonds.
• Vegetarian Version: Simply omit the bacon and enjoy!

How to Make Bacon Wrapped Dates

If you’d like to see the full ingredients and instructions, scroll to the bottom of the post for the printable recipe card.

1. Cut each date lengthwise, removing the pit if necessary. (image 1)
2. Stuff each date with goat cheese and the almond, if using. (image 2)

3. Press the date closed with your fingers. (image 3)
4. Cut each piece of bacon in half if necessary and tightly roll each date in bacon. Close with a toothpick and lay on a baking tray. Leave enough space between dates so each will get nice and crispy in the oven. (image 4)

5. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes. Turn halfway through to make sure both sides get nice and crispy. (image 5)
6. Let them cool for a couple of minutes, then serve! Warn guests they can be very hot inside. (image 6)

Recipe FAQs

Serve

These make the perfect part of any Spanish tapas feast! Check out my list of 30 top Spanish recipes here. Combine these bacon wrapped dates with some of my other authentic Basque pintxos recipes for a night of Spanish food or a grazing plate of appetizers.

Expert Tips

• Feel free to experiment with different cheeses or nuts inside for fun and tasty variations!
• Use an easy-to-clean baking dish with a raised rim to catch the bacon grease. Alternatively, use a sheet pan lined with foil to make cleanup easy.
• This recipe makes 12 pintxos, but you can easily change the quantities to make as many or as few as you need for your guests or just for you.

More Easy Pintxos Recipes

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Photography by Giulia Verdinelli

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