Receta De Dátiles Envueltos En Tocino (Dátiles Rellenos)

Learn the secrets of this delicious and simple Spanish pintxo recipe that I have prepared for countless gatherings at home: bacon wrapped dates stuffed with cheese. These are some of the most satisfying, quick and easy appetizers you can imagine! You can bake them in the oven or even throw them on a hot grill (perfect for summer barbecues). Don't miss out on this amazing 4-ingredient tapas recipe!

Do you have a snack to go? Of course. It's a recipe I always use when I have people over for dinner; no matter how many guests there are.

I first ate these beautiful sweet and savory bites on a trip to the Basque Country in northern Spain. It's a delicious recipe that never fails to impress, but even better: it's so easy to make! What is this magic dish, you ask? It's my recipe for stuffed dates wrapped in bacon (or Serrano ham). And if that sentence alone isn't enough to make your mouth water, then I don't know what will.

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

To make my Basque-Inspired Bacon Wrapped Dates recipe, all you need are three ingredients: dates, bacon, and cheese. That is all! Get creative by adding an almond as well.

• Cheese  : The cheese you choose is up to you, but I almost always go for goat cheese. Alternatively, you can use manchego cheese or even blue cheese for a snack with a kick. But I find that the goat cheese gives you the stickiness we all crave, as well as a bit of acidity to wash away the bacon fat.
• Bacon  : And when it comes to bacon, the thinner the better. This will help you get the crispness you want when they come out of the oven. You can also use thinly sliced ​​prosciutto or serrano ham.
• Almond  : You can also optionally add a Spanish Marcona almond inside (adds a delicious crunch!). Not an almond lover? A hazelnut, pecan, or macadamia nut also work well.
• Toothpicks  : These are held together with a toothpick, as good pintxos should be! For best results, soak toothpicks in water before using them in the oven.

Vegetarian Adaptation

If you're a vegetarian, you may not have read this far  —they are called dates wrapped in  bacon, after all! But I actually make them for vegetarian family members all the time! I just don't wrap them in anything. They are still absolutely delicious served piping hot from the oven, stuffed with savory cheese and a Marcona almond.

Dates Wrapped In Bacon: Step By Step

These Bacon Wrapped Dates are super easy to make! Buy pitted dates for an even easier process.

Steps 1-4: Start by cutting each date lengthwise. Remove the hole if necessary. Then fill each date with a good amount of cheese. Add the almond (if using) and press with your fingers to close it.

Steps 5-8  – Cut each piece of bacon in half (if needed) and tightly roll each date in bacon. Close with a toothpick and place on a baking tray. Leave enough space between the dates so they each get nice and crisp in the oven. Bake in a preheated oven (350°F/175°C) for about 15-20 minutes. Flip halfway through to make sure both sides are nice and crisp.

Step 9 – Let them cool for a couple of minutes, then remove them from the baking sheet, put them on a plate, and enjoy! Warn guests that it can be very hot inside.

Recipe Tips & FAQs

Speaking of the oven, be sure to use a baking dish with a raised rim (and one that you can easily clean). The bacon is going to shed a bit of fat as it bakes, so be prepared for some leftover mess. 

My recipe makes 12 pintxos, but you can easily change the amounts to make as many (or as few) as you need for your guests (or just yourself). Alternatively, why not pair them with some of my other  authentic Basque pintxo recipes  for a Spanish food night or appetizer platter?

Serving Suggestions

These are the perfect part of any Spanish tapas party! Check out my list of  the 30 best Spanish recipes here  .

More Easy Pintxo Recipes

• Chorizo ​​al Vino Tinto  : This easy recipe cooks flavorful chorizo ​​in red wine for an impressive (and easy) pintxo or tapa.
• Spanish Meatballs  – There's a little more time involved, but it's worth the effort. Spanish meatballs are the best.
• Gilda Skewers  : The most popular Basque pintxo is made with pickled peppers, olives, and jarred anchovies. Don't judge until you've tried it!
• Shrimp Skewers  : These easy shrimp skewers are perfect for a barbecue.

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In an old-school tavern in Bilbao, where the wine flowed freely and the  pintxos  were delicious, I decided to order the dates wrapped in bacon.

In the Basque Country, every tapas bar has a covered bar with these wonderful bites, the Basque version of tapas. Generally, pintxos are crusty, toasted baguette slices topped with something salty, but they can also be small plates or skewers. 

And often the best ones are the simplest ones, like my favorite dates and bacon, a magnificent and creative work of gastronomic art.