Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Dates

Air fryer bacon wrapped dates are one of those appetizers that look fancy but are really simple to make.

The dates are sweet and chewy, the soft cheese turns creamy, and the bacon gets crisp around the outside. I like brushing them with a little honey, maple syrup, or agave before air frying because it gives the bacon a sweet, glossy finish.

The biggest thing I watch is the bacon. Thin bacon works best because it crisps faster, and the dates need a little space in the basket so the bacon does not steam.

Quick Success Tips

• Use large Medjool dates. They are easier to open and stuff.
• Do not cut all the way through. Open each date like a little book.
• Do not overfill. Too much cheese can leak out as the dates cook.
• Use thin bacon. It crisps faster than thick-cut bacon.
• Secure with toothpicks. They help the bacon stay wrapped.
• Leave space in the basket. Crowded dates steam instead of crisp.
• Turn halfway through. Both sides need time against the hot air.
• Let them cool for a few minutes. The filling is very hot right out of the air fryer.

Why This Recipe Works

Medjool dates are soft, sweet, and large enough to fill with cheese.

The soft cheese balances the sweetness of the dates, and the bacon adds salty, crispy edges. I like goat cheese, brie, or mascarpone because they are soft enough to tuck inside the dates without much effort.

The air fryer crisps the bacon quickly, and the honey, maple syrup, or agave helps the outside get glossy and caramelized.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• It feels like a party appetizer without a lot of work.
• The dates are sweet, creamy, salty, and crispy in one bite.
• They cook in about 10-12 minutes.
• You can prep them ahead and air fry when guests arrive.
• They work for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Eve, date night, snack boards, or holiday parties.
• The recipe uses only a few ingredients.

Ingredients you'll need to make bacon wrapped dates

**Find the full list of ingredients and exact measurements in the recipe card below.**

• Medjool dates: Use pitted dates when you can. Large Medjool dates are easier to stuff and wrap.
• Soft cheese: Goat cheese, brie, or mascarpone all work well. Goat cheese gives the strongest tangy flavor.
• Thin bacon: Thin bacon wraps more easily and crisps faster in the air fryer.
• Honey, maple syrup, or agave: Brush a little on the outside before cooking for a sweet, glossy finish.
• Toothpicks: These help hold the bacon in place while the dates cook.

Tools used

• Chef knife
• Toothpicks
• Basting brush

How to Stuff Dates

Use a small knife to open each date lengthwise without cutting all the way through.

Remove the pit when the dates are not already pitted.

Add a small amount of soft cheese inside each date, then gently close the date around the filling.

I keep the filling light because overfilled dates can leak more cheese as they cook.

How to make bacon wrapped dates in the air fryer

Open each pitted date and fill it with goat cheese, brie, or mascarpone.

Wrap each stuffed date with half a slice of thin bacon and secure it with a toothpick.

Place the bacon wrapped dates in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving a little space between each one.

Brush the outside with honey, maple syrup, or agave.

Air fry at 370°F for 10-12 minutes, turning halfway through, or until the bacon is crisp to your liking.

Let the dates cool for a few minutes before serving because the cheese filling will be hot. Enjoy!

Helpful Tips

• Use pitted dates to save time.
• Choose large dates when possible because they are easier to fill.
• Keep the cheese filling small so it does not spill out.
• Thin bacon works better than thick-cut bacon here.
• Toothpicks can go in the air fryer and help hold everything together.
• Leave room between the dates so the bacon crisps.
• Brush with sweetener lightly; too much can drip and get sticky.
• Serve warm, but let them cool a few minutes before biting into them.

How Long to Cook Bacon Wrapped Dates in the Air Fryer

Bacon wrapped dates usually take 10-12 minutes at 370°F in the air fryer.

Turn them halfway through so both sides have time to crisp. The dates are ready when the bacon is browned and crisp around the edges.

Thicker bacon may need more time, but thin bacon works best for this recipe.

How to Serve Bacon Wrapped Dates

Holiday appetizer: Serve for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Eve, or holiday parties.

Snack board: Add them to a board with cheese, crackers, fruit, nuts, olives, and candied pecans.

Party bite: Serve them warm on a platter with toothpicks already in place.

Date night appetizer: Pair with a simple salad, sparkling water, wine, or a small cheese plate.

Appetizer spread: Serve with bacon wrapped shrimp, bacon wrapped scallops, brie bread bowl, crunchy chickpeas, or prosciutto wrapped dates.

Make Ahead, Store, and Reheat

Make ahead: Stuff and wrap the dates up to 2 days ahead. Keep them covered in the refrigerator, then brush with sweetener and air fry when ready.

Store leftovers: Store cooked bacon wrapped dates in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Reheat: Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-4 minutes, or until warm and the bacon crisps again.

Freeze: You can freeze cooked bacon wrapped dates for 2-3 months, but the texture is best fresh. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

faqs

More air fryer recipes to try

• Bacon wrapped Scallops in the Air Fryer
• Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts
• Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
• Prosciutto Wrapped Dates

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