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These Bacon Wrapped Apricots with Jalapenos are the perfect sweet and spicy appetizer — crispy bacon wrapped around chewy dried apricots with just the right kick of heat.
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Bacon Wrapped Apricots with Jalapeños
If you’ve never had Bacon Wrapped Apricots with Jalapenos, let me just say — this is one of those appetizers people hover around. I’ve made these for holiday parties and even casual backyard get-togethers, and they disappear every single time. The combination of sweet dried apricots, smoky crispy bacon, and that little kick of jalapeño heat is absolutely amazing.
If you love easy bacon appetizers like my Bacon Wrapped Pineapple Bites, Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese, or Bacon Wrapped Scallops, then you’re going to be obsessed with this sweet-and-spicy version. I always say bacon makes everything better — but when you pair it with something naturally sweet, it turns into pure magic.
What I love most? They look fancy, but they’re incredibly simple. And after testing different bacon thicknesses, oven temperatures, and cook times, I’ve nailed down exactly how to get them perfectly caramelized and crispy without overcooking the fruit.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need 3 simple ingredients for this amazing appetizer.
- Dried apricots – Choose soft, plump dried apricots, not overly dry or hard ones. If they feel stiff, they’ll be harder to stuff and won’t give you that perfect chewy center. I prefer unsulfured apricots for a more natural flavor.
- Jalapeño slices – I usually use canned deli-sliced jalapeno peppers but you can also use fresh. Remove the seeds if there are any and membranes if you want mild heat. Leave some in if you like things spicy. I usually taste-test one slice first to gauge the heat level.
- Bacon – Regular-cut bacon works best. Thick-cut bacon takes longer to crisp and can overpower the apricot. I’ve tested both, and standard thickness gives the perfect crispy-to-chewy ratio.
How to Make Bacon Wrapped Apricots with Jalapenos
- Prep Your Baking Sheet. Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup and place a wire rack on top.
Why the rack matters: It allows the bacon fat to drip down so the bottoms crisp up instead of steaming. - Stuff the Apricots. Slice each dried apricot horizontally, but don’t cut all the way through. You’re creating a little pocket. Tuck one jalapeño slice inside each apricot.
Pro tip: It’s okay if the jalapeño slice sticks a little bit but if your apricots are too small, trim the jalapeño slices to fit so they don’t stick out too much. - Wrap with Bacon. Wrap one piece of bacon snugly around each stuffed apricot and secure it with a toothpick. Don’t wrap too tightly — bacon shrinks as it cooks. Place them evenly spaced on the rack.
- Bake Until Crispy. Bake for 10 minutes, then flip each piece. Bake another 10 minutes, or until the bacon is golden brown and crispy. If you like extra crispiness (I always do), you can broil them for 1–2 minutes at the end — just watch carefully. Let them cool slightly before serving. The sugars in the apricots get very hot!
TIPS FROM NELI’S KITCHEN
My Top Tips for Perfect Results
After making these dozens of times, here’s what I’ve learned:
- Use room-temperature bacon – It wraps more easily and evenly.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan – Air circulation is key for crispy bacon.
- Flip halfway through – This ensures even browning.
- Serve warm – They’re best when the bacon is crisp and the apricot is soft and sticky.
- Make ahead tip: If you’re making these for a holiday party, you can assemble them a few hours ahead and refrigerate until ready to bake.
Serving Suggestions
These bacon-wrapped jalapeño apricots shine on:
- Holiday appetizer platters
- Birthday parties
- Game day snack boards
- Charcuterie boards
- Cocktail parties
- Thanksgiving or Christmas spreads
If you’re building a full appetizer spread, I love pairing this easy appetizer with other simple & easy favorites like Smoked Salmon Cucumber Bites, Caprese Skewers, and Antipasto Skewers — they’re all fresh, colorful, and incredibly easy to assemble.
Storing & Reheating
If you somehow have leftovers (rare in my house), here’s what to do:
- Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Warm in a 375°F oven for about 8–10 minutes to re-crisp the bacon.
- Avoid microwaving if possible — it softens the bacon.
You can also freeze them after baking. Reheat straight from frozen in the oven until heated through.
More Easy & Delicious Appetizers
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Bacon Wrapped Apricots with Jalapenos
Save This Recipe
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Ingredients
- 48 dried apricots
- 48 jalapeño pepper slices
- 12 bacon slices, cut into 4 equal pieces (48 pieces total)
- 48 toothpicks
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place a wire rack on top.
- Slice each dried apricot horizontally, cutting almost all the way through. Tuck one jalapeño slice inside each apricot.
- Wrap each stuffed apricot with one piece of bacon and secure it with a toothpick. Arrange them evenly on the prepared wire rack.
- Bake for 10 minutes, flip each piece, then bake for another 10 minutes, or until the bacon is golden brown and crispy. Let cool slightly before serving.
Video
Notes
- For more heat, leave some seeds in the jalapeño slices.
- Lightly spray the wire rack with nonstick spray for easier cleanup.
- These are best served warm but can be reheated briefly in the oven if needed.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer: Nutritional values are estimates and may vary with ingredients, brands, and portion sizes. For accuracy, use your preferred nutrition calculator.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this recipe is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical or nutritional advice. I am not a doctor or a dietitian. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalized guidance regarding your diet or health. For more details, please read my full disclosure page.
This is going on my Super Bowl menu ! Just brilliant what you did here , way to rock it in the kitchen !
Aww, thanks Florentina! 🙂
Sweet/Saltysmoky/Hot – what a combination! I love it! (And pretty easy, too… Fabulous idea
I could snack on these pretty much everyday! I love all the ingredients you have used in this recipe, could easily become one of my favorite appetizer. Pinning to make them asap!
I know, me too Oana! Thanks for stopping by!
Ooo, life itself is better for bacon 😉 I can well imagine how good these will taste. Sweet and salty, fruity and spicy. Definitely making these 😀
Yes, definitely, bacon makes everything so good!
Wow, this is a great twist on a bacon-wrapped appetizer, pinning to my Entertaining board, thanks for sharing this recipe!
Thanks for sharing Sara!
I love bacon-wrapped asparagus, but never thought to pair with fruit and jalapeno. Will have to give this a try!
Hope you enjoy them, Kari! 🙂
These would definitely be great with grilled chicken! Looks great!
I agree! Thank you!
Wow! Fantastic confluence of flavors going on here and an especially good use of apricots; thanks so much for sharing!
Thank you! Glad you like them!
I’d definitely need company with this because I’d be too tempted to eat the whole lot – this looks too good!
I know, they are very addictive! 🙂
This looks great! I’ve tried this before with just bacon and dates, but dates are SO sweet. Almost too much. Next time I’ll try your idea!
Thanks, Sarah! I think you will like this version with jalapenos! 🙂