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Home » Appetizers

Hickory Almond Stuffed Dates

Published: Sep 27, 2020 · Last Modified: Dec 5, 2021 by Anecia

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These small-bite Hickory Almond Stuffed Dates are always a big hit!  The flavor combination is unbelievable!

Sweet dates with smokehouse almonds tucked inside, and then wrapped in hickory bacon with a drizzle of balsamic glaze.

You've probably seen variations of this stuffed date recipe elsewhere, but this flavor combination is different and divine!

I promise you...when you serve these, folks are gonna ask you for the recipe!

Hickory Almond Stuffed Dates stacked on white plate and garnished with fresh rosemary sprigs.

I've made this stuffed date recipe many times, with cashews, walnuts and now smokehouse almonds. This hickory almond stuffed date is my favorite version and I think you'll like it, too!

This is a really nice appetizer, especially during the holidays when Medjool dates are in season. Medjool dates are a Middle Eastern fruit and they're also grown in southern California.

I often serve these with  sausage balls,  homemade cheese wafers and a nice cheese and charcuterie board.

Jump to:
  • You'll love this recipe!
  • Here's what you'll need
  • Here's how to make it
  • Tips
  • Yield
  • Related recipes
  • 📋 Recipe

You'll love this recipe!

  • Simple ingredients - nothing fancy or gourmet here, just some dates, nuts, bacon...that's it!
  • Easy - the hardest part is pitting the date! If you can find pitted dates, get those!
  • Delicious - the smoky flavor of the bacon and almonds pairs beautifully with the sweetness of the date...and the final touch-a drizzle of tangy balsamic glaze-really sets this recipe apart from others!

Here's what you'll need

Ingredients labeled on countertop

For the glaze, I use Tantillo™ brand "Sweet and Thick" Balsamic glaze. You'll find it near the oil and vinegars in your grocery store. 

I use "normal" bacon, not the thick sliced, but I suppose you could use either. Just make sure you have some long handled tongs to flip the bacon in the oven.

If you're serving these to a large group, you might want to serve the balsamic glaze on the side with a spoon for drizzling over individual servings.

Here's how to make it

Slice the date and remove the pit; nestle two (or three) smokehouse almonds and pinch the date back together

Sliced date showing the pit removed
Two smoked almonds stuffed in pitted date

Use scissors and cut the bacon into thirds (scissors work better than a sharp knife, provided the scissors are sharp)

A strip of bacon cut into thirds on brown butcher paper

Wrap a small slice around the date and secure with a toothpick

 

Bacon wrapped around stuffed date with toothpick in it

Place on broiling rack and broil in oven at 500ºF; use tongs to occasionally flip the stuffed dates. They take about 5-8 minutes on each side.

Hickory Almond Stuffed Dates on broiler rack

Tips

Soak the toothpicks in water first

Use scissors to cut the bacon into thirds; (it easier than using a knife)

Use long handled tongs to flip the bacon wrapped dates in the oven; (rarely do broilers cook evenly)

If some pieces of the bacon don't get quite done enough in the oven, place them in a dry skillet and finish cooking the bacon

Allow to cool before removing the toothpick and plating

Yield

Allow a minimum of 3 stuffed dates per person; so, 1 strip of bacon per person

A pound of bacon usually has between 12-14 strips so keep this in mind if you're serving these at a large party.

I like to add these Hickory Smoked Almond dates to my cheeseboard, along with a nice assortment of cured meats, crackers and dried fruit!

If you can't find Balsamic glaze, don't worry! These taste delicious without it, too!

Almond stuffed dates stacked on plate with side of balsamic glaze

I've found even those people who say "I don't like dates" end up eating at least three of these...I suppose that's because bacon makes things taste better and who can resisit a bacon wrapped appetizer?

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If you make this recipe, please scroll down and leave a comment and rating! I love to hear from you! Thank you!

📋 Recipe

Almond stuffed dates stacked on plate with side of balsamic glaze

Hickory Almond Stuffed Dates with Balsamic Glaze

Sweet dates with smokehouse almonds tucked inside, and then wrapped in hickory bacon with a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
5 from 6 votes
Print Rate
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: International
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Total Yield: 36 Stuffed Dates
Author: Anecia Hero
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients 

  • 1 pound bacon hickory smoked, thick or thin (allow 3 dates per strip of bacon); so you need at least 12 slices
  • 1 can almonds smokehouse flavored
  • 1 pound dates (get pitted if you can)
  • Balsamic glaze

Instructions 

  • Soak toothpicks in water
  • Cut bacon slices into thirds
    A strip of bacon cut into thirds on brown butcher paper
  • Remove pits from dates
    Sliced date showing the pit removed
  • Nestle 2-3 almonds in each date; pinch the date to close it
    Two smoked almonds stuffed in pitted date
  • Wrap ⅓ slice of bacon around stuffed date and secure with toothpick
    Bacon wrapped around stuffed date with toothpick in it
  • Place dates on broiler rack and broil on 500ºF until bacon is cooked -usually about 15-20 minutes, depending upon your oven (see recipe notes)
    Hickory Almond Stuffed Dates on broiler rack
  • Allow to cool; remove toothpicks
  • Plate and serve
    Almond stuffed dates stacked on plate with side of balsamic glaze

Notes

Note:
  • One strip of bacon makes 3 stuffed dates
  • Use thick or thin bacon (thick will take longer to cook)
  • When calculating for a large group, allow 3 stuffed dates (or one slice of bacon) per person
  • Keep an eye on these when they're in the oven; you may have to rotate and/or flip them to get all the bacon cooked; use long handled tongs to do this
  • If some of the bacon doesn't get crisp in the broiler, put the bacon stuffed date in a dry skillet and sear the part that has the undercooked bacon
  • Drain on paper towel
  • Allow to cool before removing toothpick
  • Use the tongs to pull the toothpick out
  • Balsamic glaze: you can either drizzle it over the dates or put it in a small bowl for self-serve

Nutrition Estimate

Serving: 1dateCalories: 149kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 1gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 19mgPotassium: 83mgFiber: 1gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 1IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 5mgIron: 1mg
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Camille says

    July 21, 2021 at 5:52 pm

    5 stars
    These are my favorite!!

    Reply
    • Anecia says

      July 21, 2021 at 6:20 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply

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Anecia Hero, Food Blogger

About SmartyPantsKitchen

I'm Anecia, a native Texan, author, cook and photographer for SmartyPantsKitchen where I'm sharing Traditional and Contemporary Southern recipes for cooks of all levels. There's nothing fancy or gourmet about my recipes-just easy, simple, delicious and memorable! Take a tour and check out delicious recipes! 

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