Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Dates

Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Dates are an easy appetizer that combines sweet, salty, crunchy, and crispy in one irresistible bite. Medjool dates are stuffed with cream cheese, optionally filled with a crunchy pecan or almond, wrapped in bacon, and cooked in the air fryer until the bacon is crispy and the dates are warm.

They make a fantastic holiday appetizer, game day snack, party food, or easy last-minute appetizer. And because the air fryer cooks quickly, you have a batch ready in about 15 minutes.

Why You’ll Love Air Fryer Stuffed Dates

• There is something magical about the combination of sweet dates and salty bacon.
• Add cream cheese and a crunchy nut and you have an easy appetizer with multiple textures and flavors.
• Quick and easy. They only take a few minutes to assemble and 10 minutes to cook.
• Only 4 main ingredients– dates, cream cheese, bacon, and nuts are all you need.
• Perfect for entertaining. They can be assembled ahead of time and cooked just before serving.
• Sweet and savory. The natural sweetness of dates pairs beautifully with salty, crispy bacon.
• Great for the air fryer. The bacon gets wonderfully browned and crispy while the dates become warm and soft and it takes much less time than in the oven.

Ingredients

• Medjool Dates– use large, soft Medjool dates for best results. If your dates are not already pitted, carefully cut a slit lengthwise and remove the pit.
• Cream cheese or goat cheese– both work well. Cream cheese gives the dates a mild, creamy filling while goat cheese adds a little tanginess that contrasts nicely with the sweetness of the dates. Alternately, you can mix a little feta cheese with some cream cheese for some extra saltiness.
• Bacon– use regular-cut bacon rather than thick-cut bacon. A regular slice cooks more evenly and becomes crisp without taking too long. Cut each slice in half.
• Almonds or pecans– These are optional, but I highly recommend adding them.

You’ll also need toothpicks to help keep the bacon securely wrapped around the dates.

How To Make Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Dates

(More detailed instructions in recipe card below.)

1. Stuff the dates. Place about 1 teaspoon of cheese in each of the dates. If using nuts, place the nut in the date before the cheese.
2. Wrap in bacon. Wrap a cut in half piece of bacon around each stuffed date. Secure with a toothpick.
3. Air Fry. Preheat air fryer to 380 degrees. Place the dates in the air fryer basket, but do not crowd them. Air fry for 9 to 12 minutes or until bacon is browned and crispy.
4. Serve. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Tips For Making

• Don’t overcrowd the basket. Air needs to circulate around each date.
• Use regular-cut bacon. Thick-cut bacon takes longer to cook and may require additional cooking time.
• Check them early. Air fryers vary considerably. Start checking the dates around 9 minutes, maybe even a little before.
• Cook in batches if necessary. It is better to cook in 2 smaller batches than to overcrowd the air fryer.

Add Some Extra Flavors

These dates are easy to customize. Try mixing any of these into the cheese:

• Honey
• Maple Syrup
• Fresh thyme
• Fresh rosemary
• Cracked black pepper
• Crushed red pepper flakes

Make-Ahead Instructions

These are an excellent make-ahead appetizer. Assemble and wrap the stuffed dates in bacon up to 1 day ahead of time. Place them in an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to cook. When you’re ready to serve them, place the refrigerated dates directly into the preheated air fryer. They may need an extra minute or two of cooking time.

How To Store Leftovers

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in 350 degree air fryer for 3 to 5 minutes.

What To Serve With Bacon-Wrapped Dates

These dates are delicious served as part of an appetizer spread. They pair especially well with:

• Cheese Boards
• Deviled Eggs
• Pimento Cheese
• Chicken Wings
• Sausage Balls