Savory stuffed dates with walnuts and bacon are a quick and easy appetizer, perfect for enhancing the holiday table with a delicious and original bite. They combine the natural sweetness of dates with the creaminess of ricotta, the crunchiness of walnuts, and the bold flavor of smoked bacon, creating an irresistible contrast.
The preparation is very simple: stuff the dates with a ricotta cream and a small piece of walnut, then wrap them in bacon and bake or air fry them for a few minutes, just enough to brown them on the outside. In no time, you’ll have an elegant, tasty appetizer that’s perfect for a festive aperitif or a Christmas buffet.
Try them for yourself: the savory stuffed dates will win everyone over with their simplicity and irresistible mix of flavors!
Here are some other delicious ideas for the holidays:
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Economical
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 12 Pieces
- Cooking methods: Oven, Air Frying
- Seasonality: Fall, Winter, Christmas
- Energy 109.26 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 13.20 (g) of which sugars 10.63 (g)
- Proteins 4.51 (g)
- Fat 4.76 (g) of which saturated 1.66 (g)of which unsaturated 2.14 (g)
- Fibers 1.41 (g)
- Sodium 149.93 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 36 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients
- 12 dates (large)
- 4.23 oz ricotta cheese (or another creamy cheese)
- 3 walnuts
- 12 slices smoked bacon (thin)
- black pepper
- 1 sprig thyme (or other herbs as desired)
Tools
- Baking Pan
- Bowl
- Nutcracker
- 12 Toothpicks
Preparation
With a small knife, slice the dates in half to remove the pit, but without cutting them completely (1).
Open the walnuts and divide each into 4 parts.
Place the ricotta in a small bowl, mix it with ground pepper and some thyme leaves, or other herbs as desired, fresh or dried.
Stuff the dates with the ricotta cream, and insert the walnuts in the center (2).
Wrap each date with a slice of bacon (3), and secure them with a toothpick for safety.
Place the stuffed dates in a baking pan and bake in the oven at 350-375°F for 10-12 minutes, or until the bacon is slightly browned.
For a quicker option, you can put them in the air fryer and cook at 350°F for 5-8 minutes.
The savory stuffed dates with walnuts and bacon are ready to be served… enjoy!
Tips and Notes
For this recipe, I used Medjool dates, as they are large and juicy, in addition to being very tasty. If you can’t find them, other varieties are fine, but choose ones that are still a bit large, or they will be difficult to fill.
Due to the presence of bacon, I did not add salt to the filling, but if you find it bland, you can add a pinch.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
How can I substitute ricotta?
You can use another creamy fresh cheese (also lactose-free), like Philadelphia, robiola, mascarpone, or goat cheese.
Can I omit the bacon?
Of course, but in this case, I recommend using a more flavorful cheese mixed with the ricotta, such as brie or gorgonzola.
