Ree Drummond’s Easy Bacon Wrapped Dates: Your Next Party Hit
In the realm of crowd-pleasing appetizers, few dishes deliver the irresistible combination of sweet, salty, and savory quite like bacon wrapped dates. These delectable bites are a guaranteed showstopper, disappearing from platters almost as quickly as they appear. And when it comes to easy, delicious entertaining, who better to turn to than the queen of comfort food herself, Ree Drummond?
The Pioneer Woman’s take on this classic finger food is famously straightforward yet incredibly effective, promising a perfect harmony of flavors and textures in every bite. Whether you’re hosting a sophisticated dinner party, contributing to a casual potluck, or preparing for a festive holiday gathering, Ree Drummond’s recipe for bacon wrapped dates is your secret weapon for culinary success.
The Anatomy of a Perfect Bite: Choosing Your Core Ingredients
Ree Drummond’s brilliance often lies in her ability to simplify while maximizing flavor. Her original approach to bacon wrapped dates relies on just three star ingredients, each playing a crucial role in creating that addictive taste:
- Medjool Dates: The Sweet Foundation
The foundation of these bites is the date itself, and Ree insists on using pitted Medjool dates. These aren't just any dates; Medjool dates are renowned for their large size, incredibly soft, tender texture, and rich, caramel-like sweetness. Their pliability makes them a dream to stuff and wrap, while their intense natural sweetness provides the perfect counterpoint to the salty, smoky bacon. You'll often find them in the produce section of your local grocery store, a testament to their freshness and quality. - Roasted, Salted Almonds: The Nutty Crunch
For the stuffing, Ree champions roasted, salted almonds. This choice is deliberate and brilliant. Roasting deepens the almond's earthy flavor and adds a satisfying crunch that contrasts beautifully with the soft date and crisp bacon. The added salt enhances the overall savory profile, creating an intriguing depth that keeps you reaching for more. When stuffing, remember Ree's advice: don't overstuff! Depending on the date size, one to two almonds are usually sufficient. Too many almonds will make wrapping difficult and lead to an uneven bite. - Thin-Cut Bacon: The Crispy Embrace
The final, glorious component is, of course, the bacon. Ree specifically recommends thin-cut bacon, cut into half-strips. Why thin-cut? It's all about superior crisping and ease of handling. Thinner bacon is much more pliable, making it easier to wrap snugly around the stuffed dates. Crucially, it also cooks more evenly and crisps up perfectly, ensuring that every part of the bacon is golden and crunchy without any chewy, undercooked sections. Thick-cut bacon, while delicious on its own, tends to render fat slower and can remain slightly chewy when wrapped around a date, detracting from the desired crispy texture.
Ree's Signature Technique: Achieving Crispy Perfection
Beyond the ingredients, Ree Drummond offers essential techniques that elevate her bacon wrapped dates from good to unforgettable:
- The Toothpick Trick: Secure and Symmetrical
Once you've stuffed your date and wrapped it tightly with a half-strip of thin bacon, the critical next step is to secure it with a toothpick. This isn't just for serving; the toothpick plays a vital role in ensuring the date holds its shape throughout the baking process. It prevents the bacon from unraveling as it cooks and shrinks, guaranteeing a neat, compact package that's easy to handle and aesthetically pleasing. - Even Crisping: The Mid-Bake Flip
To achieve that coveted all-over crispiness, Ree suggests using the toothpick to help turn the bacon wrapped dates halfway through baking. This simple maneuver ensures that both sides of the bacon are exposed to the direct heat of the oven, allowing them to crisp up evenly and beautifully. - High Heat for High Reward: Baking to Perfection
Ree bakes her bacon wrapped dates in a preheated 425°F (220°C) oven. This high temperature is key to rendering the bacon fat quickly and creating that desirable crispy exterior. Generally, they’ll need about 18 minutes, or until the bacon is sizzling, fully cooked, and delightfully browned. Keep a close eye on them, as oven temperatures can vary.
Beyond the Almond: Creative Stuffings and Flavor Boosts
While Ree's original recipe with almonds is a classic, she's also open to delicious variations. The beauty of bacon wrapped dates lies in their versatility. The sweet-salty canvas is perfect for experimentation:
- Creamy Cheeses: A Tangy Twist
For those who crave a richer, more complex flavor, stuffing dates with cheese is a game-changer. Ree suggests creamy, tangy goat cheese, a popular choice that introduces a delightful tartness. Other fantastic options include briny feta, which offers a saltier, crumbly texture, or a bold blue cheese for a more pronounced, pungent flavor that truly stands out. The way the cheese melts and mingles with the sweet date and crispy bacon is simply divine. This is a great way to explore different flavor profiles, as detailed in our guide: Bacon Wrapped Dates: Best Stuffings & Make-Ahead Appetizer Guide. - The Glaze Factor: Elevating "Devils on Horseback"
The second reference context introduces the concept of a glaze, often associated with the appetizer's historical name, "Devils on Horseback." A simple homemade glaze can take your bacon wrapped dates from great to extraordinary. Imagine a blend of sweet maple syrup, a hint of fresh cilantro, a pinch of red pepper flakes for a gentle kick, and finely minced sweet onion. Brushing this glaze over the dates during the last few minutes of baking, or even just after they come out of the oven, adds another layer of sticky, sweet, and savory complexity that will have your guests raving. - Nutty Variations: Walnuts or Pecans
While almonds are fantastic, don't hesitate to experiment with other nuts. Halved walnuts or pecans can offer a different texture and a slightly different earthy note, still providing that essential crunch. - Spice It Up: Chili Flakes or Smoked Paprika
For an extra layer of flavor, consider a light sprinkle of chili flakes or smoked paprika over the bacon before baking. These spices can add a subtle warmth and depth that complements the smoky bacon.
Make-Ahead Magic & Serving Tips
One of the most appealing aspects of bacon wrapped dates is their make-ahead potential, making them an ideal choice for stress-free entertaining. You can:
- Assemble Ahead: Stuff, wrap, and secure your dates with toothpicks up to one full day before you plan to bake them. Arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, cover them loosely with plastic wrap, and store them in the refrigerator.
- Bake Just Before Serving: When your guests arrive or you're ready to eat, simply pop them into the preheated oven. This allows you to serve them warm and fresh, with perfectly crispy bacon.
- Presentation Matters: Arrange your freshly baked bacon wrapped dates artfully on a serving platter. A sprinkle of fresh parsley or chives can add a pop of color, and a small dish of the aforementioned maple-cilantro glaze for dipping can further impress your guests.
- Pairing Suggestions: These sweet and savory bites pair wonderfully with a variety of beverages. Consider a crisp Sauvignon Blanc, a rich Cabernet Sauvignon, or even a robust craft beer like a porter or stout to complement the smoky notes. For non-alcoholic options, sparkling cider or even a spiced iced tea can be delightful.
Conclusion
Ree Drummond’s easy bacon wrapped dates are more than just an appetizer; they’re a culinary triumph that exemplifies simple elegance. With just a few quality ingredients and some straightforward techniques, you can create a dish that balances sweet, salty, and savory flavors in an utterly addictive package. Whether you stick to the classic almond stuffing or venture into the creamy world of goat cheese and a homemade glaze, these delightful bites are guaranteed to be the undisputed hit of your next gathering. So, embrace the ease, savor the flavors, and prepare to watch them disappear!
