Bacon Wrapped Dates with Maple Chili Rosemary Glaze (How to make Devils on Horseback)

If you’re looking for an easy, prep ahead appetizer that is always a huge crowd pleaser, then look no further! This the best bacon wrapped dates recipe, featuring crispy bacon, chewy dates, creamy goat cheese and crunchy almonds. The stuffed dates are taken to new heights with a simple maple chili rosemary glaze. A few easy techniques ensure that these devils on horseback turn out perfectly crisp and evenly cooked. Don’t the step-by-step VIDEO below!  

Ingredients and swaps:

• Medjool dates are larger and sweeter than regular dates, making them easy to stuff.
• Goat cheese lends a delicious creamy tang, but you can use cream cheese instead.
• Roasted almonds give the stuffed dates a salty crunch, but you can omit them or use hazelnuts instead.
• Bacon provides a smoky saltiness that balances the sweetness of the dates.
• Maple syrup glazes the bacon wrapped dates, giving them a gorgeous shine.
• Rosemary gives the glaze an herbal flavor.
• Aleppo pepper provides a touch of heat, or you can use red pepper flakes instead.

How to make bacon wrapped dates (devils on horseback)

• Cut a slit in the dates, open them up slightly and remove the pits.

• Stuff each date with about ½ teaspoon of goat cheese. 

• Press a salted almond into the goat cheese, then use your fingers to close the date back up (it won’t close completely). 

• Wrap each stuffed date in a half strip of bacon and secure it with a toothpick. Arrange the prepared dates on a baking sheet (you can do this up to 1 day ahead).

• Bake the dates for 10 minutes, then flip them over. Bake for 10 minutes longer. Brush the dates with the glaze, then return them to the oven for 5 minutes. Flip the dates again (now they’re the way they started) and brush them with more glaze. Cook until the bacon is crisp, 4-6 minutes longer.

• Immediately transfer the dates to a serving platter and brush them with any leftover glaze. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Let the dates cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. Serve warm.

Maple Chili Rosemary Glaze

The glaze gives the dates an unparalleled sweet, spicy and herbal flavor, and it couldn’t be easier to make. Mix maple syrup with fresh rosemary and Aleppo pepper, which has a subtly sweet spice (if you don’t have Aleppo pepper you can use red pepper flakes instead).

Tips for making devils on horseback:

• It’s best to use medjool dates in this recipe, which have a delicious caramel-like flavor and are bigger than regular dates, making them easier to stuff. 
• Be sure to use a rimmed baking sheet so that the bacon grease doesn’t drip off the pan. Also, line the baking sheet with aluminum foil, which will prevent the dates from sticking and will make clean-up a breeze. 
• Buy meaty bacon for this recipe—if the bacon is too fatty it tends to fall apart. Don’t buy thick-cut bacon, which won’t wrap well or turn crisp. 
• The glaze gets a touch of heat from Aleppo pepper, which has a subtly sweet spice. However, you can use red pepper flakes instead. If you like things spicy, increase the quantity to 1 teaspoon. 
• It's important to turn the dates occasionally during cooking (as directed) to ensure even browning.
• A sprinkle of flaky sea salt (such as Maldon) at the end provides a delicious crunch and balances the flavors, but you can omit it, if you prefer.

FAQs

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Other easy appetizers you might like:

• Whipped Ricotta Crostini
• Tuscan White Bean Dip
• Warm Spinach & Artichoke Dip
• Warm Mexican Street Corn Dip
• Fig & Walnut Chutney for Cheese
• Yogurt & Feta Dip
• The Best Seed Crackers
• Sriracha Cream Cheese Dip

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Devils on Horseback: Bacon Wrapped Dates with Spicy Maple Rosemary Glaze

By Nicki Sizemore

These bacon wrapped dates, also called devils on horseback, are the ULTIMATE party appetizer! Crispy, salty bacon surrounds sweet dates that are stuffed with creamy goat cheese and crunchy almonds. A maple chili rosemary glaze takes the dates over the top. Use meaty bacon for this recipe, as if it’s too fatty it tends to fall apart (I suggest buying a bit extra, just in case any slices tear). All ovens are different, so keep an eye on the dates towards the end of cooking (be sure to check out the tips below). Feel free to cut this recipe in half for smaller gatherings. Don't miss the step-by-step video above!

Servings: 24 stuffed dates

Prep Time: 20 minutes mins

Cook Time: 30 minutes mins

Total Time: 50 minutes mins

Equipment

• Rimmed baking sheet

Ingredients

Stuffed Dates

• 24 Medjool dates
• 3 ounces goat cheese
• 24 roasted salted almonds
• 12 slices (12 ounces) bacon (not thick-cut), cut in half crosswise

Maple Rosemary Glaze

• ¼ cup maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped rosemary
• ½ teaspoon Aleppo pepper or red pepper flakes

For serving

• Flaky Sea Salt

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 375˚F (190˚C). Line a large rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil.
• Slice the dates open lengthwise on one side (being sure not to slice all the way through the date). Remove the pits.
• Stuff each date with about ½ teaspoon of goat cheese, and nestle an almond in the middle. Gently squeeze the dates shut (they won't close all the way). Wrap each date in a half piece of bacon and secure with a toothpick. Arrange the stuffed dates on the baking sheet. Do Ahead: At this point the dates can be covered with plastic wrap and refrigerated for up to 1 day before cooking.
• In a small bowl, stir together the maple syrup, rosemary and Aleppo pepper (if you like things spicy, feel free to add more to taste!).
• Bake the dates for 10 minutes. Flip the dates over, and bake them for another 10 minutes.
• Remove the pan from the oven and brush the dates with some of the glaze (you won’t need all of it—the rest will be used later). Bake for another 5 minutes. 
• Flip the dates over one more time (now they’ll be how they started) and brush with more glaze. Bake until browned, 4-6 minutes longer. Immediately transfer the dates to a serving platter and brush with any remaining glaze (you might not need it all). Sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Let the dates cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. 

Notes

Do Ahead: You can refrigerate the stuffed dates for up to 1 day before baking (arrange them on the baking sheet and cover them with plastic wrap). You may need to increase the baking time slightly.

Tips:

• It’s best to use medjool dates in this recipe, which have a delicious caramel-like flavor and are bigger than regular dates, making them easier to stuff. 
• Be sure to use a rimmed baking sheet so that the bacon grease doesn’t drip off the pan. Also, line the baking sheet with aluminum foil, which will prevent the dates from sticking and will make clean-up a breeze. 
• Buy meaty bacon for this recipe—if the bacon is too fatty it tends to fall apart. Don’t buy thick-cut bacon, which won’t wrap well or turn crisp. 
• The glaze gets a touch of heat from Aleppo pepper, which has a subtly sweet spice. However, you can use red pepper flakes instead. If you like things spicy, increase the quantity to 1 teaspoon. 
• It's important to turn the dates occasionally during cooking (as directed) to ensure even browning.
• A sprinkle of flaky sea salt (such as Maldon) at the end provides a delicious crunch and balances the flavors, but you can omit it, if you prefer.

Loved this recipe? Check out @nickisizemore for more!

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Keyword: bacon wrapped dates recipe, devils on horseback, devils on horseback recipe