Hickory Almond Stuffed Dates with Balsamic Glaze

5 from 6 votes

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

Prep Time30

Cook Time20

Total Time50

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: International

Servings: Stuffed Dates

Calories: 149kcal

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

Soak toothpicks in water
Cut bacon slices into thirds
Remove pits from dates
Nestle 2-3 almonds in each date; pinch the date to close it
Wrap 1/3 slice of bacon around stuffed date and secure with toothpick
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)
Allow to cool; remove toothpicks
Plate and serve

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