One of the all-time Christmas appetizer favorites is Bacon-Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Cheese or Almonds—sweet, salty, savory, and always a hit at holiday parties 🎄🥓
Ingredients (Serves 6–8)
- 20–24 pitted dates
- 10–12 slices bacon, halved
- 20–24 almonds (optional) or soft cheese like goat cheese, cream cheese, or blue cheese
- Toothpicks for securing
Instructions
- Preheat oven: 200°C / 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Stuff dates:
- If using almonds: insert one almond per date.
- If using cheese: fill each date with about ½ tsp of cheese.
- Wrap with bacon: Fold bacon slice around date, secure with a toothpick.
- Bake: 15–20 minutes, turning once halfway, until bacon is crispy.
- Serve warm: Arrange on a platter.
Tips & Variations
- Glaze: Brush bacon with maple syrup or honey before baking for extra sweetness.
- Spicy: Sprinkle with crushed red pepper or brush lightly with sriracha.
- Herbs: Add a small sprig of rosemary under the bacon for aroma.
- Mini versions: Use cocktail toothpicks for bite-size servings.
Other popular Christmas appetizers include:
- Stuffed mushrooms (cheese or sausage filling)
- Cheese and charcuterie boards
- Shrimp cocktail
- Spinach and artichoke dip
If you want, I can make a “top 10 Christmas appetizer platter” recipe list that’s festive, easy, and guaranteed to wow guests.
Do you want me to do that?
