March 12, 2014
(last updated September 3, 2020) 
As you may have guessed already, this recipe is a raw, vegan spin on bacon-wrapped, stuffed dates, a popular appetizer/hors d’oeuvre on tapas menus.. We might also call it a creative interpretation of devils on horseback, which is an English pub snack consisting of dates that have been stuffed with chutney or cheese, wrapped in bacon, baked, and sometimes served on toast.
Either way, you get the idea here: eggplant bacon is standing in for the real deal, while creamy avocado takes the place of cheese. Dates are of course the centerpiece of both recipes–the original and this reinvented one–and in both cases, they are predictably divine.
Before I get to the recipe itself, a few short words on how to prepare the dates. First, I recommend using pitted medjool dates; the smaller neglet dates just aren’t the same.
Second, to get started, take a small piece of avocado (maybe an inch long and thin), and stuff it into the center of each pitted date.
Next, take a long, thin strip of eggplant bacon and wrap it around the date:
And finally, secure each date with a toothpick:
So easy. Once you have the eggplant bacon prepared, everything else is just assembly. Here’s the complete recipe.
Eggplant Bacon Wrapped, Avocado Stuffed Dates
Author -Yields: 20 dates
Ingredients
- 1 batch eggplant bacon cut into thin strips (about 1-inch thick)
- 20 pitted medjool dates
- 1 Haas avocado pitted and cut into about 20 small pieces
Instructions
- 1. Prepare the eggplant bacon according to original instructions (here). If you don't have a dehydrator, there's a baking option for the eggplant in the original recipe. Watch it closely; it'll burn quickly!
- 2. Place a small piece of avocado in the center of each pitted date.
- 3. Wrap a strip of eggplant bacon around each date, and roll it up. Secure ends with a toothpick, and serve.
Aside from being cute, these appetizers have saltiness, sweetness, and a little bit of fat. All of the essentials. And they’re awfully cute.
While I can’t claim that this dish can really approximate the original–bacon, after all, is just one of those foods it’s hard to replicate–I can promise you a lot of flavor. Enjoy the recipe, and sleep tight.
xo
This post may contain affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something I may earn a commission. Visit my privacy policy to learn more.
Categories: Recipes,
Side Dishes,
Snacks
Method: Oven
Dietary Preferences: Gluten Free, Soy Free, Tree Nut Free, Vegan
Method: Oven
Dietary Preferences: Gluten Free, Soy Free, Tree Nut Free, Vegan
Leave a Comment
I am not a vegan, not even a vegetarian, but this sounds so delicious. I am definitely going to try it.
Dates and Ava coda contains lot of health benefits.It’s a fun snack and it mostly be liked by kids.
Great snack for tea time and it’s easy to do..
What a super cute & fun snack/appetizer!
Raw and vegan?! That looks like a yummy and cute appetizer/hors dโoeuvre! Brilliant use of these dates!
After I get back to the Show Me state, I am making these. How inventive and fabulous!!
Thanks, Star! I hope you like them.
These are so fun, what a great idea! I need an excuse to make them. ๐
Oh this is too cute/fun/delicious/all the good things! I can’t wait to try this!!
ALL the things, Gabby! Hope you like ’em!
They look great, I have always wanted something inspiring to do with dates. I have to give this a try.
Let me know how it goes!
These look great, Gena! So chic ๐
Thanks, sweetie!
These are incredibly cute!
This is so cute, Gena. Love it! ๐
Thanks, lady!
What a cute idea! I’ll have to introduce these to my Mum as an alternative to the non-vegan version she makes..:(
They sound so tasty too.
Hahaha. My mom isn’t quite on the vegan bacon bandwagon yet. I’ll keep trying.
Wow, they look amazing and delicious! Will make them for dinner guests this Saturday. Thx.
Hope they went well, Sonia!
this is pretty much an ideal app for me! sweet, savory and salty all in 1 bite ๐ medjool dates are becoming a fast favorite for me. i don’t really eat a ton of fruit but when i want some candy and don’t have chocolate around, i go for those dates. soooooooo rich!
SO rich, so sweet. So perfect. Nature’s candy.
! Is there nothing avocado can’t do?
I tend to stay in a (delicious) dehydrator rut, churning out simple vegetable chips for snackage, but I can’t believe I still haven’t made eggplant bacon with it. Weekend plans have been updated. Thanks, lady.
No. There is nothing avocado cannot do ๐
Hope you like the recipe, friend!
Gena. These look superb. Like, genius. Kuuudos.
Hahaha. You rock, Ali. Happy you like them. You can serve them as an amuse bouche at the cafe you open one day ๐
If I make the oven version of the eggplant bacon, do you think the strips will still be flexible enough to wrap? This looks awesome, and so easy–something I’d actually make. But I stiiiiill don’t have a dehydrator. (Although, one more recipe like this and I’ll probably HAVE to buy one.) So, it’s still baked versions for me. *Sigh*
I think so, Jenni. Also, if you keep them in an airtight container after baking, they’ll soften up. Enjoy!
Ah, what a fun, unconventional mix of foods. I love how a few simple foods, when put together can create a totally new experience & taste.
Yum, yum! It’s recipes like these that assure me I’m a true vegan at heart :).
I totally agree. So simple, yet so delightful. Glad you like the recipe, friend.