I love to cook and bake, but don't always have time for elaborate recipes now that my house is full of little people. Party appetizers and football food are my favorite!

This recipe is a crowd pleaser and so easy—you don't even have to preheat the oven. It's the perfect mix of salty & sweet, crunchy & chewy.

Today we're watching NFL playoffs, and with friends living that Paleo/Whole30/low-carb life, I'm happy to bring something tasty that everyone can enjoy.

We've tried many variations on these and have learned: 1) ditch the toothpicks, 2) keep the ingredients simple, and 3) make more than you think you'll need, because these will vanish at your party!

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Bacon wrapped dates

Makes: 24 pieces

Ingredients:

12 strips of good quality, thick-sliced bacon (1 pack)
12 medjool dates (the big ones, usually found near produce department)

Preparation:

1. Don't preheat the oven.

2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.

3. Slice each date into two pieces and discard the pits.

4. Cut the bacon in half, crosswise.

5. Roll up a piece of date inside each piece of bacon, then place seam side down on the prepared baking sheet. Press it down a little bit to help it stay put. Repeat with remaining dates and bacon. (If prepping ahead, you can stop at this point, cover, and refrigerate for up to 2 days).

6. Place the baking sheet into a cold oven. Set the temperature at 400 degrees F and set a timer for 20 minutes. You want to let them go long enough to "seal" themselves as the fat renders off.

7. After 20 minutes, flip them over and bake 5-10 minutes longer, until your desired crispness is reached.

8. Remove from baking sheet onto a paper towel lined plate. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.

These are best served warm but can sit at room temperature for your whole party (except they won't last that long).

Enjoy!