When I was growing up, Thanksgiving was our big feast day. Christmas, on the other hand, was all about finger foods — veggie trays, cheese plates and little bites held together with toothpicks.
It took me a while to realize that our Christmas “dinner” was really an appetizer spread. But we loved it. To this day I still adore a good selection of finger foods — they’re delicious and easy to prepare.
Whether your holiday gathering is a casual, nibble-style celebration like ours or a full sit-down meal, these bacon-wrapped butternut bites deserve a place on your table. Even my five-year-old gobbled them up!
I’ll admit I’m not always a huge fan of plain butternut squash, but dressed up like this, it’s irresistible. As the cook and party-food planner, I love these bites for several reasons:
They’re simple: just a few ingredients — you really only need 2–4 things.
They can be prepped ahead: assemble the wrapped bites and chill them on a baking sheet. When it’s party time, just slide them into the oven.
They’re nourishing: butternut squash brings vitamins and minerals, and bacon adds satisfying protein and fat — an indulgent party treat with some nutritional value.
I like shopping for ingredients where I can get the best value. Save-A-Lot is one of my favorite affordable grocery stores — their prices make it easy to buy the things you want without overspending. They also share weekly deals that make planning a budget-friendly menu simpler.
Because of that partnership, Save-A-Lot generously provided gift cards for a giveaway. It’s always nice to have a little extra grocery money during the holidays.
(Scroll down for the recipe)
Bacon Wrapped Butternut Bites
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Ingredients
Scale
- 1 small butternut squash
- 1 12 ounce package of bacon
- 3 Tablespoons maple syrup (optional)
- 1 teaspoon chili or cayenne powder (optional)
- Toothpicks
Instructions
- Using a large chef’s knife, slice the butternut neck into 3/4 to 1-inch thick rounds.
- Peel the rounds, then cut them into roughly 3/4 to 1-inch cubes.
- Open the bacon and lay strips on a cutting board.
- Cut the bacon strips in half or thirds. I prefer using half a strip per cube — you may double-wrap some pieces, which works fine.
- Place a butternut cube on a bacon strip.
- Wrap the bacon around the cube, stretching it slightly as you go.
- Secure each bite with a toothpick.
- Arrange the wrapped cubes on a lightly greased cookie sheet or jelly-roll pan.
- Refrigerate the prepared bites until you’re ready to bake.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Bake on the center rack for about 30 minutes, or until the bacon is crisp and the butternut is tender inside.
- Remove from the oven and transfer the bites to a serving tray.
Optional glaze:
- Mix maple syrup with the chili or cayenne powder and brush a thin glaze over each bite.
- The glaze adds a touch of sweetness and a spicy finish — it’s optional but tasty.
- Serve warm as finger food or appetizers.
- Enjoy!
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Save-A-Lot. The opinions and text are all mine.