Looking for bacon appetizers that go beyond a plate of strips? Think stuffed jalapeños, little tomato cups and a cheese ball covered in bacon and pecans.
These ideas give you plenty to choose from, whether you want individual bites or a dip everyone can share.
You can keep the presentation simple or give one dish the whole spotlight. I especially love the bread bowl! Pick a few favorites below for your next party menu.
Bacon Appetizer Ideas Worth Saving
bacon-wrapped stuffed dates
We’re starting off strong with these gorgeous stuffed dates. The bacon wraps around the dark fruit with golden filling peeking out at the ends.
I love the little drops of golden drizzle across the plate.
For a similar presentation, leave some space between the dates and scatter a few small herb leaves around them.
glossy bacon strips
Who says the bacon has to wrap around something? These strips get a whole plate to themselves, with a glossy coating and visible seasoning flecks.
If you want this same look on your table, pile the strips loosely rather than lining them up. Those curled, browned edges are worth showing off.
stuffed jalapeño halves
If you love stuffed peppers, this one is for you. The green jalapeño halves have a pale filling with broad strips of bacon wrapped over the top.
I especially love how the green edges peek out beneath the bacon. A plain rectangular platter like this keeps the whole arrangement simple.
little tomato cups
How cute are these little tomato cups? Each red tomato holds a piece of bacon and a small lettuce leaf.
It’s a fun BLT-inspired idea without a slice of bread in sight.
Try serving yours in a row like these so the upright bacon pieces have room to stand out.
glazed wrapped chestnuts
I am obsessed with that glossy coating. These bacon-wrapped chestnuts sit in a little pool of sauce with chopped green garnish scattered over them.
Keep the toothpicks if you’re planning a finger-food spread. You could put a small empty dish nearby for the used picks.
cheese and dark-topped crostini
These little toasts may just be one of my favorite serving ideas here. Each one has a pale wedge of cheese beneath a dark, chunky topping, plus a few green leaves.
For a bacon version of this combination, try a bacon jam over your cheese. Leave a little of the cheese showing around the edges like it does here.
cheddar bacon pinwheels
How cute are those little spirals? These cheddar bacon pinwheels have a thick pale filling dotted with orange cheese and bacon pieces.
Arrange them cut-side up so you can see the swirls. There’s no need for a big pile of garnish with a pattern this pretty.
bacon-wrapped shrimp
The shrimp fans are going to want a look at this one! Wide bacon strips wrap around the curled shrimp, leaving the orange tails and browned ends visible.
I love the little green flecks over the top. If you’re serving yours on skewers, leave an exposed end for picking them up.
bacon-topped deviled eggs
Give your deviled eggs a little extra decoration with chopped bacon and chives. The yellow filling is piped into little swirls with reddish seasoning dusted over the tops.
This is such a pretty way to bring another color into the platter. I’d keep the bacon pieces small so you can still see those piped edges.
wrapped brussels sprouts
Don’t want another filled appetizer? No problem! These Brussels sprouts have bacon wrapped around the outside with their green centers left showing.
The browned leaves and curled bacon edges give you plenty to look at already. A simple white serving dish is a lovely choice here.
loaded potato halves
If you like going all out with toppings, then this one is for you. These potato halves have orange melted cheese, chopped bacon and generous white dollops on top.
The sliced green onions are my favorite finishing touch. Keep a little of each topping visible rather than covering the whole potato with the final dollop.
upright bacon cups
These little bacon cups look so cute standing on the rack. The bacon forms tall sides around a pale filling with deeply browned tops and a few green pieces showing.
Want to borrow the presentation? Choose a recipe designed for upright bacon cups.
The photo gives you a serving idea, but it doesn’t reveal everything inside.
wrapped cocktail sausages
Looking for a small bite without lots of garnish? These bacon-wrapped cocktail sausages keep things simple.
The glossy coating and browned bacon do all the decorating.
Read also: 20 BBQ Appetizers to Inspire Your Next Cookout
Add serving picks like the ones here if you want to skip setting out individual forks.
pecan bacon cheese ball
I am obsessed with this cheese ball. There’s so much to love, from the chopped pecans and bacon on the outside to the green onion pieces throughout.
Surround yours with round crackers like these. I’d also add a small spreading knife so guests can help themselves without breaking their crackers.
bacon asparagus bundles
This is another pretty way to serve a bacon-wrapped vegetable. The asparagus spears sit in long bundles with bacon wound around their middles.
I love how the green tips extend beyond the wrapping. A long platter would be a good choice if you want to lay yours out in the same direction.
loaded guacamole
Who says you have to leave your guacamole plain? This bowl has bacon pieces, yellow corn, red onion, tomato and white crumbles scattered across the green base.
The two colors of chips on the side are a cute touch too. Serve yours in a wide bowl if you want the toppings spread out like this.
glossy bacon-topped slices
Not gonna lie, that shiny topping is the first thing I noticed! These golden pieces have thin bases with bacon scattered across the tops.
I love the overlapping triangular slices at the front.
For a similar party presentation, cut your chosen bacon-topped bake into small portions. You can overlap them slightly on a plate while leaving the topping visible.
wrapped scallop skewers
These scallop skewers are a lovely change from the shrimp above. Bacon circles the sides while the round, browned tops stay uncovered.
I’d serve the skewers together on a long platter. Follow a tested recipe for cooking the bacon and scallops rather than using their color alone to judge doneness.
bacon cream cheese mushrooms
If you love a generously stuffed mushroom, save this one. The dark caps hold mounds of cream cheese filling with bacon pieces and little green flecks.
I love that the filling sits above the edges instead of disappearing inside. Leave a little space between the mushrooms when you arrange your serving platter.
cheesy bacon bread bowl
Last but definitely not least, we have this cheesy bacon dip in a bread bowl. I am obsessed with the serving idea!
The golden loaf holds the dip with torn bread pieces tucked around the outside.
Keep a spoon in the bowl like the one here so guests can scoop some onto their plates. Extra bread on a separate dish would be a useful addition.