Devils on Horseback Appetizer

Written by
Linda Larsen
Linda Larsen is a journalist, quick-cooking and slow-cooking expert, and accomplished cookbook author with over 30 years of experience in testing and developing recipes.
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Linda Larsen
Updated 12/02/20
Devils on horseback recipe

The Spruce Eats / Victoria Heydt
Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 12 mins
Total: 32 mins
Servings: 8 to 10 servings
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
56 Calories
3g Fat
7g Carbs
2g Protein
See Full Nutritional Guidelines Hide Full Nutritional Guidelines
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8 to 10
Amount per serving
Calories 56
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 3g 3%
Saturated Fat 1g 7%
Cholesterol 8mg 3%
Sodium 62mg 3%
Total Carbohydrate 7g 2%
Dietary Fiber 1g 2%
Protein 2g
Calcium 48mg 4%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

These little Devils on Horseback appetizers are called that because the dates are dark. Angels on Horseback use oysters and Cherubs on Horseback use apricots instead of the dates. We have absolutely no idea why they are 'on horseback'. Perhaps it's because the bacon sits on the dates like a person sits on a horse? At any rate, these little bundles are just delicious.

This is an ideal appetizer for entertaining. Just about everyone loves the combination of salty bacon with rich and sweet dates and smooth cheese. They should be served warm. You can assemble them ahead of time, and refrigerate, well covered, until just before serving. Another great idea for using this recipe is to add them to a salad. Just place two or three of the little bundles on top of a salad of mixed greens that have been dressed with a vinaigrette or honey mustard dressing.

Ingredients

  • 1 (8-ounce) package whole dates (pitted)
  • 1/2 cup Asiago cheese (cubed)
  • 8 to 10 slices bacon (each cut crosswise into thirds)

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for devils on horseback
    The Spruce Eats / Victoria Heydt

  2. Cut a small slit in the side of each date. There may already be a slit since the dates have been pitted.

    Cut a slit in date
    The Spruce Eats / Victoria Heydt

  3. Carefully push a piece of the cheese into the date.

    Put cheese in date
    The Spruce Eats / Victoria Heydt

  4. Smooth the date back around the cheese if you can. Handle the dates gently because they are fragile.

    Smooth around cheese
    The Spruce Eats / Victoria Heydt

  5. Wrap one of the pieces of the bacon around each stuffed date, covering the cheese, and secure with a toothpick if necessary.

    Wrap bacon around date
    The Spruce Eats / Victoria Heydt

  6. Place all of the stuffed and wrapped dates on broiler pan with a rack.

    Place on rack
    The Spruce Eats / Victoria Heydt

  7. Preheat the broiler.

  8. Broil the bacon-wrapped dates 4 to 6 inches from the heat source for 9 to 12 minutes, turning twice during the cooking time, until the bacon is crisp; don't let it burn!

    Broil
    The Spruce Eats / Victoria Heydt

  9. Let stand for 5 minutes, then serve.

    Let stand
    The Spruce Eats / Victoria Heydt

  10. Enjoy!  

Tips

  • Using pre-cooked bacon? You can also use pre-cooked packaged bacon to make this recipe; that's what we prefer. Cut the bacon in half and wrap around the stuffed date. Then bake in a preheated 425 F oven for 6 to 9 minutes or until the bacon is sizzling and the cheese melts.
  • You can make these little goodies ahead of time, then just broil or bake them before serving.
  • And you can use any firm cheese you'd like. We've made them with Jarlsberg, Havarti, Gouda, and Fontina.

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