When the holidays roll around, it’s handy to have fast, crowd-pleasing appetizers ready. These 3-ingredient air fryer bacon wrapped dates are salty, sweet, creamy, and simple to prepare ahead—perfect for effortless entertaining.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Smoky bacon, creamy goat cheese, and naturally sweet dates combine for a bite-sized appetizer that hits multiple flavor notes. The air fryer crisps the bacon beautifully while warming the cheese, and the whole process takes under 15 minutes.
You can assemble these in advance and reheat them quickly when guests arrive, which makes them ideal for holiday gatherings, Thanksgiving, Super Bowl parties, or any casual get-together.
Katie’s Tip
If you have extra dates, they’re great in smoothies or blended with nut butter for a quick snack.
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Bacon Wrapped Dates Ingredients
- 12 Medjool dates, pitted (a typical 8-ounce bag often contains 16 dates)
- 6 slices bacon, cut in half lengthwise (use regular or thin-cut bacon, not thick-cut)
- 2 ounces goat cheese (flavors like jalapeño honey work well)
Equipment:
- 12 toothpicks (soak in water 15–20 minutes to help prevent burning)
Ingredient Tips and Notes
- Any soft cheese can be used in place of goat cheese—cream cheese, Brie, or flavored goat cheese are all delicious options.
- If you want to season the bacon, try garlic powder, smoked paprika, thyme, black pepper, or a pinch of sriracha. About ½ teaspoon per batch is a good starting point, or use flavored bacon such as maple for a sweet note.
How to Make Bacon Wrapped Dates in the Air Fryer
- Slice each date lengthwise and stuff with goat cheese. If the dates are already pitted and split, simply add about ½ teaspoon of cheese to each and press lightly to close so the filling stays in place.
- Wrap each stuffed date with half a slice of bacon and secure the ends with a toothpick. Season the bacon now if using spices.
- Arrange dates in a single layer in your air fryer basket or on the rack, leaving space for air to circulate.
- Air fry at 390°F for 10–15 minutes, flipping every 5 minutes, until the bacon reaches your preferred crispness. No preheating is necessary for this recipe; times may vary by air fryer.
- Serve hot and enjoy.
More Bacon Recipes
Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Brats
Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs
Frozen Bacon Wrapped Scallops in the Air Fryer
Bacon Wrapped Filet in the Air Fryer
- Bacon Wrapped Salmon in the Air Fryer
Recipe FAQs
Can I use turkey bacon instead of regular bacon?
Yes. Turkey bacon will generally cook faster—plan for about 5–7 minutes depending on your air fryer and desired crispness.
Which dates work best?
Medjool dates are ideal because of their size and sweetness, but any pitted dates will work if that’s what you have.
Can I assemble these ahead and reheat?
Yes. Prepare and wrap in advance, then reheat in the air fryer for a few minutes until warm and crisp. You can also freeze them and cook from frozen—add a few extra minutes to the cook time.
Should I pre-soak toothpicks?
Yes, soak toothpicks about 15–20 minutes to help prevent them from charring during cooking.
Recipe Pro Tips
- Soak toothpicks while prepping to reduce burning.
- Use about ½ teaspoon of goat cheese per date as a guideline, adjusting for date size and personal preference.
- Scale easily: double or triple the recipe for larger crowds, but cook in batches if your air fryer basket is small.
Storage and Reheating Tips
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days once cooled.
- Reheat in the air fryer at 325°F for 2–3 minutes or until warmed through and crispy.
More Appetizer Recipes
Air Fryer Smashed Brussel Sprouts
Air Fryer Goat Cheese Balls
Air Fryer Arancini
Air Fryer Sauerkraut Balls with Bacon
Final Thoughts
These air fryer bacon wrapped dates need only three ingredients and about 10–15 minutes of cooking time. They crisp up quickly, can be prepped ahead, and deliver a delightful balance of sweet dates, creamy cheese, and savory bacon.
They’re perfect for Christmas, Thanksgiving, game day, or any time you want an easy, impressive appetizer. Feel free to experiment with different cheeses and bacon flavors to suit your taste.
Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Dates With Goat Cheese
Equipment
- Air fryer
- Sharp knife
- Toothpicks
Ingredients
- 12 Medjool dates (pitted)
- 6 slices bacon, cut in half (not thick cut)
- 2 ounces goat cheese (such as jalapeño honey)
Instructions
- Open each date lengthwise and stuff with goat cheese. Press lightly to close so the cheese stays inside.
- Wrap each date with half a slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick. Season the bacon if desired.
- Place in the air fryer basket in a single layer with space between each for even air circulation.
- Cook at 390°F for 10–15 minutes, flipping every 5 minutes, until bacon is crisp to your liking.
- Serve hot.
Notes
- You can substitute other soft cheeses like cream cheese or Brie if preferred.
- Season bacon with spices like garlic powder, paprika, or black pepper for extra flavor.
- Soak toothpicks 15–20 minutes to reduce burning while cooking.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days; reheat in the air fryer at 325°F for 2–3 minutes.
- Cooking times vary by air fryer and bacon thickness—adjust as needed.
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Carbs: 36 g
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Protein: 6.4 g
Nutrition values are approximate and will vary by brands and portion sizes.
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