These Bacon Wrapped Pineapple Bites with Sweet and Sour Sauce are salty, sweet and so addicting! They’re An easy, healthy, paleo and whole30 appetizer!
PIN Bacon Wrapped Pineapple Bites
Christmas is in 7 DAYS.
UMM WHAT. That is as many days as we have fingers. HOW IS IT COMING SO FAST?
And, only 6 DAYS after that is NEW YEARS EVE.
Do you see where I am going here? YOU NEED PARTY FOOD IDEAS.
Really, doesn’t it always come down to FOOD? You know it’s true.
I KNOW you’re ready to party it UP, and eat ERYTHANG with your hands. So, appetizers? YES PLEASE.
It’s a tradition in my household to make appetizers for Dinner on Christmas Eve. There’s usually Greek yogurt french onion dip, homemade crock pot chex mix, healthy California roll sushi bites AND bacon wrapped water chestnuts.
Whiiiiich is where these SALTY, SWEET AND SO SO TANGY bites of bacon-y BLISS come into action. They’re like the classic, except without the water chestnut and WITH juicy bursts of pineapple and that thick, STICKY sauce that makes you go “heart eyes emoji” when you pop one into yo’ mouth.
See also: was inspired to make these bacon wrapped pineapple bites because I just RLY RLY like to wrap things in BACON.
It’s one of those things that if you think your recipe may not TOTALLY work, throw some salty goodness around that thang and, poof, face plant-able food in an instant.
I wonder if I could disguise some vegetables this way so that Mr.FFF would eat them…..ideas, you guys, ideas.
There is actually not a vegetable in sight here though, so let’s move along.
JUST KIDDING. There SORT OF is. I mean, can we count tomato sauce as vegetable? I am going with YES because then it means we can get 20 of these bites in the name of getting daily vegetables. RIGHT? RIGHT.
How to make Bacon Wrapped Pineapple 101:
- Cut your bacon into halves, WIDTH WAYS. Do not do length ways or the bacon is too thin.
- Wrap it around a pineapple chunk. It WILL seem too big. But, once the fat cooks off the bacon, it will be PERFECT. PROMISE.
- IMPORTANT: put a cooling rack on top of a tinfoil lined cookie sheet. This helps air circulate under the bites and makes them SO crunchy!
- BAKE until ALMOST perfectly crunchy –> Add sauce –> Bake again.
- EATTTTTTT.
Now that you know the basics, can we just talk about the sweet and sour sauce that is hugging each and every craveable bite of thesee of salty-sweet bacon wrapped pineapple bites? Yes, it IS the same sweet and sour sauce as the whole30 sweet and sour paleo meatballs.
You guys. This sauce tastes like the sweet and sour sauce of your childhood. EXCEPT without all the questionable ingredients. It’s thick and naturally sweetened with chewy dates and has this underying grape flavor from GRAPE JUICE, with spicy notes of tabasco and allspice in every bite.
I MEAN. Don’t you just want to go for a swim in that sweet, sticky sauce loaded with salty, pineapple wrapped in bacon-chunks-a-million? Maybe that’s just me though.
No worries. I’ll SWIM BY MYSELF.
So, let’s break down what we have going on in this bacon wrapped pineapple recipe:
1) Salty, CRISPY and kinda smoky bacon
2) Sweet, juicy and VIBRANT pineapple.
3. SOUR and TANGY saucy goodness.
To be honest with you guys, I was a little hesitant about introducing my favorite meatballs sauce to some bacon wrapped appetizers. BUT, You know what?
I <3 it even MORE poured over top of these bacon wrapped pineapple bites It’s thick and sticky and run-down-your-face delicious. The tell-tale sign of a good sauce for me is when Mr. FFF has to wipe my face down like I’m 5 years old.
No face-wipeage = no Bueno in my books.
Bacon. Pineapple. Sauce. Face.
STAT.
Bacon Wrapped Pineapple Bites
Ingredients
For the bites:
- 24 Strips Whole30 compliant bacon
- 1 20 oz Tin of pineapple chunks drained (about 48 chunks)
For the sauce:
- 3/4 Cup 100% grape juice (not from concentrate)
- 1/2 Cup Canned tomato sauce
- 1/4 Cup Dates (very lightly packed - 42g)
- 2 Tbsp Apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 Tbsp Tomato paste
- 1/2 tsp Dry mustard
- 1/4 tsp Sea salt
- 1/4 tsp Tabasco sauce
- 1/8 tsp Pepper
- Pinch Ground allspice
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with tinfoil and place a cooling rack on top of it,
- Stir together ALL of the sauce ingredients in a medium pot and bring to a boil on high heat. Once boiling, cook for 1.5 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Once the sauce has boiled for 1.5 minutes, turn the heat down to medium and simmer until the sauce begins to thicken and reduce, about 9-10 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Once reduced, pour the sauce into a high powered blender, or small food processor, and blend until smooth. Transfer to a measuring cup (you should have about 6 ounces.)
- Pour the drained pineapple onto a layer of paper towel. Use another paper towel to gently press out excess moisture.
- Cut all the bacon slices in half vertically. Then wrap half a slice around each pineapple - you can hold in some slices of bacon if they are super thick, but they shrink A LOT once cooking. Place the wrapped pineapple onto the cooling rack on top of the cookie sheet. You'll need to pack them together tightly to fit them all on. I also recommend putting them wrapped-side-down so that the bacon sticks to itself.
- Bake until the bacon is nice and crispy and golden brown, about 37-40 mins. Reduce the heat to 375 degrees.
- Rub ALL of the sauce over top of the bites, making sure you spread it on nice and thick.
- Bake until the sauce is thick and cooked, but still a little bit "goopy", about 15 minutes.
- Throw in some toothpicks and DEVOUR!
Nutrition
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Chris @ Shared Appetite says
Sweet. Salty. Sour. I would probably eat like 30 of these. They look so amazing!
What a bummer that you were all along on NYE! But if you had a plate of these with you, that actually might be a good thing… no sharing 🙂
Tate says
Haha very true right, I don’t share my food well anyway! 🙂
Thanks Chris, I hope you had a great NYE!!
Cookin Cnauck says
The sweet and salty of these little jewels are calling my name. what a great idea! I’m thankful not to be bleary-eyed this morning…I was determined to fit in a New Year’s Day run. 🙂
Tate says
Nice work! I was determined to hit the gym today as well…great success! 🙂 Thanks so much!
simple green moms says
This is a very interesting combination! We do use pineapple in crockpot meatballs so I guess it would be a similar concept =) might have to try this!
Tate says
Exactly, a similar concept! Let me know if your try it! 🙂
Consuelo @ Honey & Figs says
I’m sorry that you had to spend NYE alone, but hey, you had these lovely bites all ofr yourself right? That should make up for it ;–) These look amazingly delicious. I want them all. Right now, please. Oh wow, they sound truly addictive!
Happy New Year! xx
Tate says
Exactly, I survived 😉
Thank you so much Consuelo, Happy New Year to you too girl! 🙂
Liz @ Life Made Sweet says
Give me 50! Even after a ridiculous night of indulging and swearing to a detox in the next couple weeks, I would still eat 50 of these! I love this idea!
Tate says
Haha thanks! I hope you had a great NYE girl, happy New Year! 🙂
Layla @ Brunch Time Baker says
I have never wrapped pineapple in bacon before!! This recipes looks very interesting!! Pass the good stuff! 😀
Tate says
You gotta try it! Addicting! Thanks 🙂
Jess @ The Baguette Diet says
Yum! I love pineapple and ham together, and I can imagine that bacon would be even better.
I hope you still enjoyed your New Year’s eve and that 2014 is your best year yet! 🙂
Tate says
I sure did, Thanks! I hope the same for you.
And, girl, if you like ham and pineapple you gotta try these! You’ll die..in a good way 🙂
Haley @ Cheap Recipe Blog says
Whoa.. what a clever idea! I love pretty much any sweet + salty combination. Especially in appetizer form 🙂
Tate says
Oh me too! Thanks Haley! 🙂
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
The hubs and I never do anything on NYE. I hate spending 10x the amount for a cocktail. These look like the perfect treat. My husband is going to go nuts for these!
Tate says
Amen on spending 10x the amount for a cocktail! I’ll just make it myself. Thanks girl! I hope you and the hubs love ’em as much me and mine did! 🙂
Christina @ Sweet Pea's Kitchen says
These would be so perfect for the Superbowl party we are hosting this year! I love pineapple, but bacon wrapped pineapple?? Sounds incredible. I can’t wait to give them a try! Pinned!! 🙂
Tate says
It is definitely a good combination, I hope you love them!! 😀
Krystle(Baking Beauty) says
These look and sound amazing! Adding to my super bowl menu! 🙂
Tate says
Thanks Krystle! Let me know how you like them if you try them! 🙂
Eve Tull says
Sounds delicious. Pig meat is one of my favorites. Got a question though, instead of parchment paper would this work as well using the non stick tin foil.
Tate says
I have actually never heard of non-stick tinfoil. If it’s like the standard tin foil, I wouldn’t try it…I think they would stick and cause the tinfoil to rip with them when you tried to get them out of the pan! If that is the case, just spray the pan with cooking spray really good and omit the parchment or tinfoil! You’ll just need to give your pan a good soaking afterward 🙂 It’ll be worth it!
Melanie @ Carmel Moments says
These look so tasty! Perfect for the next time I have guests over. Pinning for later! Thanks Taylor!
Tate says
Thanks Melanie! Let me know if you get a chance to try them!
laramealor.com says
LOVE the sweet and salty my favorite
http://www.laramealor.com/random-acts-adventure-keep-young/
Tate says
Thanks! 🙂
Kimberly says
Hey! These look great. I’m just confirming…you don’t have to cook the bacon beforehand, right? And also, at the store I could only find a hot chili sauce and a sweet chili sauce…is one of those right or did I just completely miss it?
Tate says
Thanks!
Nope, no need to cook the bacon! Unfortunately those both aren’t right! 🙁 It’s just called “Chili sauce” It’s pretty common. Heinz makes on, walmart makes ones…I hope you can find it!
April - www.AprilMcKinney.com says
I love sweet and salty anything, cute appetizer idea I will be trying!
Tate says
Let me know how you like them girlfriend!! 🙂
[email protected] says
Looks amazing! Pinning too!
Taylor Kiser says
Thanks so much!
Linz @ Itz Linz says
this combo sounds awesome! love the sweet and savory taste!
Taylor Kiser says
Thanks girl!
Kristy says
Could there be a substitute for the ketchup?
Taylor Kiser says
Unfortunately, I really can’t say for sure, as the recipe was not tested any other way. I don’t think so though, I am sorry! Please let me know if you do try something!
Cecilia says
Plan on taking this to a potluck, I can make it in the day. But it wont get eaten till 1 hr after i arrive. Its going to sit in a cool shade, is this advisable. Any suggestions would help. plz
Taylor Kiser says
Honestly, I really can’t tell you as I have never made them fully in advance. I HIGHLY Recommend that you assemble the bites, and sauce separate and then pour the sauce over and bake them at the potluck. They won’t be nearly as good cold.
Hope that helps!
Kirstin says
Could you describe the bacon cutting a bit more? Is the first cut lengthwise or are all cuts across the short way? Your pictures look like narrow strips but it seems when I cut bacon lengthwise I end up with one strip all fat and the other one meaty. Thanks for the clarification! Looks so good!
Taylor Kiser says
You totally don’t need to over-stress about it 🙂 Cut them lengthwise and then in half! Does that make sense?
Linda says
Could these be made with fresh pineapple?
Taylor Kiser says
I am sure they could!
Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain says
My ultimate weakness!!
Taylor Kiser says
Mine too girl!
Albert Bevia says
This is such a great idea! perfect party food like you said, I bet the combination of flavors is just out of this world, plus anything with bacon is already a winner!
Taylor Kiser says
Agree! I love bacon anything! Thanks!
Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles says
This has my name written ALL OVER IT!!!!!
Taylor Kiser says
Hope you love it!!
Victor says
I’ll be honest – I am quite skeptical but I am very tempted to try… they look very good.
Taylor Kiser says
You should! They are SO tasty! 🙂
Martiza says
Instead of making sauce can I use store bought?
Taylor Kiser says
You can try – just can’t guarantee it’ll taste the same!