Here’s a recipe for Vegetarian Bacon-Wrapped Dates with plant-based bacon as a tasty substitute. These mini morsels are explosions of flavor, and they are ideal for snacking, appetizers or the next great thing on your party platter. The flavors are sweet, savory, and smoky, sure to impress!
How to Prepare Vegetarian Bacon-Wrapped Dates
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Sweet & Savory: The earthy sweetness of dates with the rich smokiness of plant-based bacon make for a beautiful balance.
Easy & Fast: You’ll require only a handful of ingredients, and it’s so simple to assemble.
No Eggs & Vegan: Perfect for anyone who follows a plant based diet.
Great for Any Event: Be it just a snack, a party starter, or a holiday spread, these vegetarian bacon-wrapped dates will be an instant crowd-pleasers!
Ingredients
To make these easy vegetarian bacon-wrapped dates, you’ll need:
12 large Medjool dates, pitted
6 slices of plant-based bacon (or your favorite vegan bacon)
1/4 cup cream cheese or vegan cream cheese
1/4 cup chopped almonds (for crunch, optional)
1 tbsp maple syrup (to sweeten it up)
Toothpicks (to keep the dates secure while baking)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Grab an oven and 375°F (190°C), and a lined baking sheet (with parchment paper), so you do not have to worry about it sticking.
Step 2: Prepare the Dates
Set the oven to 350 degrees F, then carefully open each Medjool date lengthwise and remove the pit.
For some inside crunch, stuff each date with a little chopped almonds or your nut of choice. This step is optional, but brings in added flavor and texture.
Stuff each date with a little spoonful of cream cheese or vegan cream cheese. This provides a rich creaminess that cuts the savory bacon.
Step 3: Encase of Plant-Based Bacon
Using kitchen scissors, cut the plant-based bacon strips in half for shorter, flexible pieces that mix well into the wrap.
Wrap each date with a piece of plant-based bacon and secure with a toothpick to hold bacon in place.
Step 4: Bake
Arrange the bacon-wrapped dates on the prepared baking sheet, leaving room around each.
Place in the preheated oven and bake for about 15-20 minutes, until the bacon is nice and crispy and golden-brown. For even cooking, flip the dates halfway through.
Step 5: Drizzle and Serve
When the bacon-wrapped dates are finished baking, take them out of the oven, and drizzle maple syrup over them for a hint of sweetness. Optional, but I highly recommend it for that perfect sweet-sour flavor balance.
Serve the dates warm and enjoy these little sweet savories!
How to Make the Best Bacon-Wrapped Dates
Use Plant-Based Bacon: If you're looking for something crispy and salty to put on salads, beans, or wraps, there are many options for plant-based bacon, including coconut bacon, soy-based bacon strips, and more. Select the one that suits your taste buds the best.
Add More Stuffing: Experiment! Stuff any number of things into your dates to liven them up.
Keep an Eye on Baking Time: Plant-based bacon can get crispy faster than traditional bacon, so watch your dates carefully to prevent burning.
Health Benefits of Dates
Dates taste great and have a number of health benefits, too:
High in Fiber: Dates are rich in fiber that aids in digestion and helps to be full.
Anti-Inflammatory: Dates are rich in antioxidants that protect the body against inflammation and oxidative stress.
Natural energy booster: Natural sugars like glucose are in abundance in dates, providing an instant energy boost and thus serving as one of the best snacks during action-packed days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I prepare these in advance?
A: Yes! The bacon-wrapped dates can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge until you’re ready to bake them. Just remember to wrap that bacon tightly, so no stuffing escapes.
A: You can use other types of bacon.
A: Absolutely! If you don’t follow a plant-based diet, you can use traditional bacon in this recipe for non-vegan version.
Q: Can I freeze bacon-wrapped dates?
A: Yes! They can be frozen pre- or post-baking. Just be sure to keep them in an airtight container or freezer bag. When you want to serve, pop them in the oven straight from frozen, adding on 5-10 minutes to the cooking time.
Final Thoughts
Sweet and this Vegetarian Bacon-Wrapped Dates are all sweet, savory, and smokey. They’re simple to make, versatile and work for any event, whether you’re hosting a dinner party, taking a dish to a potluck, or eating them as a quick snack. This is perfect for everyone to enjoy with the addition of a little plant-based bacon!
Try them today and they will be gone in no time!
Comments
Post a Comment