2-Ingredient Bacon-Wrapped Dates (with Stuffed Option)

Steps

1. 1For Classic Bacon-Wrapped Dates
2. 2Preheat oven to 425° Fahrenheit. Fit large baking sheet with wire baking rack.
3. 3Arrange 18 bacon pieces evenly across wire rack, making sure pieces do not overlap.
4. 4Place baking sheet in preheated oven. Cook bacon 10 minutes or until some fat has rendered but bacon is still floppy.
5. 5When bacon is ready, carefully removing baking sheet from oven and set aside. Let bacon rest until cooled enough to handle easily.
6. 6Once bacon has cooled enough, wrap 1 piece of bacon around middle of 1 date. Bring ends of bacon together on other side of date and secure with toothpick, pushing toothpick through both ends of bacon at once and skewering date and other side of bacon.
7. 7Place bacon-wrapped date on wire rack and repeat until all dates have been wrapped and skewered.
8. 8Once all dates have been wrapped, return baking sheet to preheated oven. Bake 10 minutes more or until bacon is crisp, firm, and richly orange-red in color. Adjust bake time as needed, checking doneness often to avoid burning bacon.
9. 9Carefully remove baking sheet from oven and set aside. Let bacon-wrapped dates cool 2 to 3 minutes then transfer to serving platter. Serve warm.
10. 10For Cheese-Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Dates
11. 11Preheat oven to 425° Fahrenheit. Fit large baking sheet with wire baking rack.
12. 12Arrange 18 bacon pieces evenly across wire rack, making sure pieces do not overlap.
13. 13Place baking sheet in preheated oven. Cook bacon 10 minutes or until some fat has rendered but bacon is still floppy.
14. 14When bacon is ready, carefully removing baking sheet from oven and set aside. Let bacon rest until cooled enough to handle easily.
15. 15While bacon cools, carefully cut each date lengthwise, starting at one end of date and slicing to other end, being careful not to cut through date completely.
16. 16Gently open each date. Spoon ½ to 1 teaspoon goat cheese into each date as desired, gently packing goat cheese into date with spoon when needed. Once filled, lightly press date closed and set aside. Repeat until all dates have been stuffed with goat cheese.
17. 17Once bacon has cooled enough, wrap 1 piece of bacon around middle of 1 reassembled date. Bring ends of bacon together on either side of date without cutline down center. Secure with toothpick, pushing toothpick through both ends of bacon at once, skewering date and other side of bacon.
18. 18Place bacon-wrapped stuffed date on wire rack and repeat until all dates have been wrapped and skewered.
19. 19Once all dates have been wrapped, return baking sheet to preheated oven. Bake 10 minutes more or until bacon is crisp, firm, and richly orange-red in color. Adjust bake time as needed, checking doneness often to avoid burning bacon.
20. 20Carefully remove baking sheet from oven and set aside. Let bacon-wrapped dates cool 2 to 3 minutes then transfer to serving platter. Serve warm.