These Chorizo-Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Dates are a show-stopping appetizer: sweet Medjool dates filled with spicy chorizo, wrapped in salty bacon, and served atop a smooth roasted red pepper sauce. Crispy, savory, and perfectly balanced, they’re simple to prepare and ideal for parties, holiday gatherings, or an elegant snack to impress guests.
The idea for this recipe came from a memorable appetizer at a restaurant—one of those dishes that lingers in your head. I recreated the experience at home by stuffing sweet dates with fresh chorizo, wrapping them in bacon, and serving them over a creamy roasted red pepper sauce. The result is a small bite packed with texture and flavor: caramelized date sweetness, smoky-cured bacon, and the warm, spiced notes of chorizo, all tied together by a silky pepper sauce.
These bites can be made for a crowd or scaled down for a small gathering. The roasted red pepper sauce complements the richness of the dates and bacon with brightness and a touch of acidity, making every bite balanced and craveable. Below you’ll find a clear ingredient list, step-by-step instructions, helpful notes, and answers to common questions so you can make them with confidence.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup finely diced shallot
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Pinch kosher salt and a few cracks of black pepper
- 1 cup jarred roasted red bell peppers, loosely chopped
- 2 tablespoons juice from the jar of roasted peppers
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can peeled whole tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
- 8 ounces uncured bulk chorizo (removed from casing)
- 16 pitted Medjool dates
- 8 slices bacon, halved crosswise
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley, for garnish
Step-by-step:
Step one: Preheat and prepare
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
Step two: Make the roasted red pepper sauce
Heat the olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the diced shallot and minced garlic with a pinch of kosher salt and a few cracks of black pepper. Sauté until the shallot is soft and translucent, about 2–3 minutes. Stir in the chopped roasted red peppers and 2 tablespoons of their jarred juice and cook another 3–4 minutes.
Add the canned whole tomatoes and the sherry vinegar, bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it gently simmer while you prepare the dates. The sauce will concentrate and develop flavor as the dates bake.
Step three: Stuff and wrap the dates
Carefully open each pitted Medjool date along one side to create a cavity. Using about 1/2 tablespoon of chorizo per date, gently press the chorizo into the date’s center. Wrap each stuffed date with a half-slice of bacon, securing it with a toothpick if needed. Arrange the wrapped dates on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer.
Step four: Bake
Bake the dates in the preheated oven until the chorizo is fully cooked through, about 12–15 minutes.
Step five: Broil for crispiness
Switch the oven to high broil and return the baking sheet to the top rack. Broil the dates for 2–4 minutes, watching closely so the bacon crisps but does not burn. Broiler times vary by oven, so stay attentive.
Step six: Blend the sauce
While the dates are finishing, transfer the simmered pepper and tomato mixture to a blender and puree until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Keep the sauce warm and covered until ready to serve.
Step seven: Serve
Spoon a generous layer of the warm roasted red pepper sauce across the bottom of a serving platter. Arrange the bacon-wrapped, chorizo-stuffed dates on top and finish with a sprinkle of finely chopped parsley. Serve immediately so the bacon remains crisp and the flavors are at their best.
Recipe FAQs:
Do I need a specific type of chorizo?
Yes. Use fresh, uncured bulk chorizo (the raw sausage you would remove from the casing). Avoid cured, salami-style chorizo for this recipe because it won’t cook the same way.
What bacon do you recommend?
Choose a quality bacon you enjoy. A no-sugar or nitrate-free option can provide a cleaner taste, but any flavorful bacon will work.
Can I make this ahead?
The wrapped dates are best served fresh for maximum crispness. The roasted red pepper sauce keeps very well: refrigerate for a few days or freeze portions to use later. Reheat the sauce and crisp the wrapped dates in the oven before serving.
Recipe Summary
- Prep time: about 30 minutes
- Cook time: about 15 minutes plus broil
- Total time: approximately 45 minutes
- Serves: 6 (about 16 dates)
Nutrition (approx. per serving)
Calories: 475 kcal; Carbohydrates: 54 g; Protein: 12 g; Fat: 25 g. Nutrition is an estimate and will vary by specific ingredients and serving size.
Your guests will thank you—these chorizo-stuffed, bacon-wrapped dates are easy to make and deliver impressive flavor and texture. Try them for your next gathering and enjoy the compliments. If you make them, let others know how they turned out!
Looking for more appetizer ideas?
Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice • Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls • Crockpot Party Chili con Queso