This Feta Bacon Date Dip is the kind of appetizer that instantly steals the show. It’s irresistibly creamy, sweet, salty, and crunchy (AKA the perfect holiday party bite)!
Update: This post was originally published in 2021 as Honey Whipped Feta Dip and has been republished with new photos and updated recipe.
Lil’ Salty, Lil’ Sweet Snacking Dip
Sweet, salty, creamy, crunchy. This appetizer checks every delicious box and then some. The whipped ricotta-feta base is so dreamy you might just want to eat it with a spoon (no judgment).
Then you hit that warm bacon-date topping and suddenly you’re wondering where this combo has been all your life. I tried something similar last holiday season, but of course had to give it the signature APOP twist. The result? A crowd-pleasing, lip-smacking bite that disappears fast—so you might want to double the recipe.
And if you’re looking for more delicious holiday apps, check out this Charcuterie Wreath, this Cranberry Jalapeño Salsa or these Cream Cheese Apple Danishes.
Recipe Ingredients
- Feta cheese – Use a block of feta cheese! The moisture helps create a smooth texture for our creamy base whereas precrumbled does not.
- Ricotta – Mild and slightly sweet, the flavor of ricotta pairs so well with feta and adds even more creaminess, too.
- Pitted dates (we love these) – The sweet dates in contrast to the salty bacon is the perfect balance *chef’s kiss*
- Bacon – Thick-cut, hardwood bacon is my preference, but use your favorite variety!
- Hot honey – Sweet + heat. It’s perfect in contrast to the creamy base.
- Pistachios – A little crunch on top.
- French baguette – Sliced and toasted for dipping!
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Substitutions & Variations
- Cheese: The ricotta can be substituted with cottage cheese and/or swap the feta for creamy goat cheese.
- Dates: This dish is also DELISH with roasted grapes (quartered and roasted with olive oil at 400° for 15 minutes). Don’t knock it till you try it!
- Nuts: Try crunchy pecans, walnuts or slivered almonds instead of the pistachios if those are your jam.
- Make it vegetarian! If you’re an olive fan, swap the crispy bacon for kalamata olives. You’ll still get that salty flavor and olives go well with the other ingredients in this dish.
How to Make This Recipe
1. Start by making the toasted crostinis. Preheat the oven to 400F. Slice the baguette into small pieces. Lay each piece on a baking sheet. Drizzle olive oil, salt and pepper onto each side of the bread. A heavy pinch or crack of each will do. The more oil, the toastier the piece of bread! Pop in the oven. Bake for 12-16 minutes, flipping half way through. Each side should be lightly toasted and golden brown.
2. While the crostinis are baking, heat a skillet to medium heat. Cut the bacon into small pieces and place into the pan when warm. Cook 80% through, stirring to avoid burning. Add the chopped dates into the skillet and turn to low heat. Cook the bacon until your liking (less crispy vs more crispy). Remove from heat and set aside.
3. In a small food processor, add the ricotta, feta cheese (you may need to slightly crumble to fit), ¼ cup hot honey, 2 tbsp olive oil, and a generous pinch of salt. Pulse together until everything is smooth and no lumps of cheese remain. Give it a quick taste and adjust sweet/heat or oil as needed 🙂
4. Pour into a shallow bowl, pressing a spoon in the center of it and slowly rotating, creating a divot in the bowl. Place the bacon date mixture on the top (if a lot of bacon grease remains, discard the bacon drippings before pouring). Garnish with crushed pistachios and remainder of hot honey drizzled on top. Serve while bacon is warm with toasted crostinis.
PRO TIPS
Don’t throw out the excess bacon fat! Use it as an oil base to a salad dressing and thank be later.
Recipe FAQs
Store the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Pop in the microwave to reheat. It’ll be slightly different than the original version since the feta base of the dip will be heated, but still perfectly delicious.
Yes! You can blend the cheese mixture and cook the bacon/date topping up to a day in advance. Store separately, reheat the bacon mixture and assemble with the rest of the topping right before serving for the best texture.
Definitely. Add extra hot honey or red pepper flakes for more heat or a touch of maple syrup for added sweetness.
Serving suggestions
If you have any fresh herbs like fresh rosemary or thyme add those on top, too for the perfect holiday appetizer feel.
For dipping, any cracker, pita chip, crusty bread or crostini, would work. Apple slices, green grapes, or other charcuterie board elements would be a great pairing!
More Recipes You’ll Love
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Bacon Date Dip
Equipment
- Food Processor
- skillet
- Rubber Spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Serving bowl
- Cutting Board
- Knife
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole milk ricotta
- ½ block Feta cheese, 8 oz
- 6 oz pitted dates, roughly 1 cup
- 6 oz Hardwood bacon, ~6 slices
- 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp hot honey, divided
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup lightly salted pistachios
- 1 French baguette, sliced
- Salt
- Cracked pepper
Instructions
- Start by making the toasted crostinis. Preheat the oven to 400F. Slice the baguette into small pieces. Lay each piece on a baking sheet. Drizzle olive oil, salt and pepper onto each side of the bread. A heavy pinch or crack of each will do. The more oil, the toastier the piece of bread! Pop in the oven. Bake for 12-16 minutes, flipping half way through. Each side should be lightly toasted and golden brown.
- While the crostinis are baking, heat a skillet to medium heat. Cut the bacon into small pieces and place into the pan when warm. Cook 80% through, stirring to avoid burning. Add the chopped dates into the skillet and turn to low heat. Cook the bacon until your liking (less crispy vs more crispy). Remove from heat and set aside.
- In a small food processor, add the ricotta, feta cheese (you may need to slightly crumble to fit), ¼ cup hot honey, 2 tbsp olive oil, and a generous pinch of salt. Pulse together until everything is smooth and no lumps of cheese remain. Give it a quick taste and adjust sweet/heat or oil as needed 🙂
- Pour into a shallow bowl, pressing a spoon in the center of it and slowly rotating, creating a divot in the bowl. Place the bacon date mixture on the top (if a lot of bacon grease remains, discard the bacon drippings before pouring).
- Garnish with crushed pistachios and remainder of hot honey drizzled on top. Serve while bacon is warm with toasted crostinis.
Nutrition
Video
Notes
Looking for this in MyFitnessPal?
If you’re using MyFitnessPal, search ‘A Paige Of Positivity’ and find Feta Bacon Date Dip calories and nutrition facts. Disclaimer: for most accurate macronutrients and caloric breakdown, it is recommended that you input each ingredient into your MyFitnessPal food diary.
I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. It’s my passion to create dishes that can be shared with others. Tell me something you loved or just say hi!
This one is especially good! Something about the green onion and hot honey together seriously hit the spot. I used leftover whipped cheese to make turkey rolls ups for lunch the next day and really enjoyed it in that way too. It is bomb with pretzel thins as an appetizer- little salty, sweet, and light while being decadently creamy. Perfect summer snack 🙂
what a GREAT way to use them! Love the presentation too 🙂
Absolutely DELICIOUS. Made it for Friendsgiving and it was a hit. The perfect amount of salty // sweet. Outdone herself again!
The whipped feta dip was a hit with my guests. The hot honey was a perfect addition to the dip. Awesome recipe!
this is my second time making this & it’s so so good!! the combo of flavors is perfect & it is so easy to make 🙂
I mean I have made this at least 6x. I love this dip so much and it goes well with everything! I’ve even mixed it with pasta and it was amazing!!
Ahhhh, I loveeeee this dip! Perfect appetizer idea!
Great appetizer for Christmas Eve! So light and fresh
Absolutely delish and a crowd pleaser for sure! Served with toasted baguettes and green grapes and came together very nicely! I would make again for sure!