Indulge in the perfect balance of sweet, smoky, and savory with these Tapas Bacon Wrapped Dates paired with a luscious Sweet Red Bell Pepper Sauce. This crowd-pleasing appetizer features juicy Medjool dates stuffed with optional almonds, wrapped in crispy bacon, and roasted to perfection. The dates are accompanied by a velvety homemade red bell pepper sauce, infused with smoky paprika, garlic, honey, and a hint of lemon for a tangy kick. This recipe is not only easy to prepare, with just 20 minutes of prep time, but it also delivers a stunning tapas-style dish thatβs perfect for entertaining or elevating your snack game. Serve these bite-sized delights warm and watch them disappear!
Preheat your oven to 375Β°F (190Β°C).
Slice each bacon strip in half to create 12 shorter pieces. Set aside.
If stuffing the dates, carefully slice each Medjool date open lengthwise (do not cut all the way through) and remove the pit. Place a whole almond inside each date and press to close.
Wrap each date with a half slice of bacon, securing it with a toothpick. Place the wrapped dates on a parchment-lined baking sheet, seam side down.
Roast the bacon-wrapped dates in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, turning them halfway through cooking, until the bacon is crispy and golden. Remove from the oven and transfer to a serving platter.
While the dates roast, prepare the sweet red bell pepper sauce. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
Cut the sweet red peppers in half, remove the stems and seeds, and roughly chop them into smaller pieces. Add the chopped peppers and garlic cloves to the skillet, cooking for 8-10 minutes until soft and slightly charred.
Transfer the pepper and garlic mixture to a blender or food processor. Add the remaining olive oil, honey, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and lemon juice. Blend until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Serve the bacon-wrapped dates warm with the sweet red bell pepper sauce on the side for dipping. Enjoy your flavorful tapas!
Calories |
1490 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 53.3 g | 68% | |
| Saturated Fat | 10.8 g | 54% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5.6 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 48 mg | 16% | |
| Sodium | 1413 mg | 61% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 248.5 g | 90% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 28.6 g | 102% | |
| Total Sugars | 212.4 g | ||
| Protein | 25.7 g | 51% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 264 mg | 20% | |
| Iron | 5.5 mg | 31% | |
| Potassium | 3105 mg | 66% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.