Devils on Horseback: Blue Cheese-Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Dates are the perfect appetizer for your festive holiday table. The sweet and caramelized Medjool dates stuffed with savory blue cheese and wrapped in crispy-smoky bacon make an addictive and wonderfully indulgent small bite; you can never have just one.

In my early 20s, I started two notable holiday traditions that have stuck with me. The first, which I lovingly call “Lobby Champagne,” is the tradition of sipping champagne in the most fabulous hotel grande lobbies around the city during the holiday season. The second tradition is making Blue Cheese-Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Dates.

My very first batch of these crispy-sweet morsels emerged from the small, yellow, 1970s General Electric oven in my one-bedroom Seattle apartment. I was hosting a Christmas Eve dinner that year. Seattle hospitality workers, artists, and musicians alike were often marooned in the cold, windy city for the holidays, far from their families or home-style traditions. So naturally, we made our own traditions! Decadent Friendsgiving, charcuterie parties, wine tastings, and chef-hosted dinners set the backdrop for long, fabulous evenings of conversation and live musical performances in our cozy, twinkling city abodes.

What is Devils on Horseback?

“Devils on Horseback” is a classic British appetizer that originated in the late 19th century. It is traditionally made with dried fruit, typically prunes or dates, stuffed with cheese or almonds, then wrapped in bacon and roasted. Over time, it became a popular holiday appetizer; if you’ve tasted it, you know why. The somewhat dramatic name “Devils on Horseback” is theorized to be the cheeky clap-back to “Angels on Horseback,” another delightful vintage appetizer consisting of roasted bacon-wrapped oysters.

How to make Devils On Horseback: Blue Cheese Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Dates

Step 1. This appetizer is incredibly simple to make. Start by setting up your workstation. Gather your ingredients and preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup. Place 24 toothpicks in a small bowl filled with water; let soak for 15-20 minutes. This prevents your toothpicks from burning during cooking.

Step 2. Slice each date lengthwise without cutting through the entire date. Remove the pit to create a little pocket in the center of the date. I like to use a small pairing knife for this task.

Step 3. Stuff each date with a small amount of blue cheese, about one large teaspoon full. Gently squish the date around the cheese to enclose it.

Step 4. Wrap each stuffed date with half a slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick. I also like to use little bamboo food picks for my dates.

Step 5. Place the bacon-wrapped dates on the lined baking sheet and bake for 15-25 minutes or until the bacon is crispy. Flip the dates halfway through cooking to ensure even crisping. This process will go faster if you use a convection oven, so watch your dates closely.

Remove the dates from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving. Drizzle with honey and garnish with chopped thyme or rosemary.

I hope these delicious stuffed dates become your new festive tradition, too!!

xoxo

Kristen

To Make Ahead:

Stuffed dates can be prepared in advance and stored for your next gathering. They can be kept in the refrigerator for up to a week or frozen in a tightly sealed plastic bag for several weeks. Allow chilled dates to come to room temperature before roasting.

Devils On Horseback: Blue Cheese Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Dates

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• Author: Ivory Table
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 24 bites 1x

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Description

Devils on Horseback: Blue Cheese-Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Dates are the perfect appetizer for your festive table. The sweet and caramelized Medjool dates stuffed with savory blue cheese and wrapped in crispy-smoky bacon are the perfect indulgent appetizer for any holiday gathering. 

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• • 24 large Medjool dates (pitted)

• • 4 oz blue cheese (room temperature)

• • 12 slices of bacon (cut in half)

• • Toothpicks (for securing)
  • honey for drizzling
  • chopped thyme of rosemary to garnish

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup. Place 24 toothpicks in a small bowl filled with water; let soak 15-20 minutes.
2. Slice each date lengthwise, creating a small pocket without cutting through the entire date.
3. Stuff each date with a small amount of blue cheese.
4. Wrap each stuffed date with half a slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick.
5. Place the wrapped dates on the lined baking sheet and bake for 15-25 minutes or until the bacon is crispy. Be sure to flip the dates halfway through cooking for even caramelization. 
6. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly. Drizzle with honey and chopped thyme before serving.

Notes

To Make Ahead: Stuffed dates can be prepared in advance and stored for your next gathering. They can be kept in the refrigerator for up to a week or frozen in a tightly sealed plastic bag for several weeks. Allow chilled dates to come to room temperature before roasting.

• Prep Time: 25
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking

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