When the holiday season rolls around, I’ve found it to be to my advantage to have quick appetizer options available. These 3 ingredient air fryer bacon wrapped dates fit the bill perfectly. They’re salty, creamy, delicious, and can be made ahead for entertaining simplified!
Combine smoky bacon, creamy goat cheese, and sweet dates together for an appetizer that checks all the flavor boxes!
Your air fryer does a great job of getting the bacon nice and crispy and the cheese warm and soft, and all in under 15 minutes. You can wrap these little balls of goodness in advance and then just pop them in and heat them up for guests anytime.
I love to make them and place them out at Christmas, but they’re equally great for Thanksgiving, Super Bowl snacking, or any other time you’re entertaining.
Plus, if you have leftover dates, you can use them to make a Strawberry Date Smoothie or a Peanut Butter Date Smoothie!
Ingredients List
12 Medjool dates, pitted (my 8-ounce bag had 16 dates)
6 slices bacon, cut in half lengthwise (not thick cut)
2 ounces goat cheese (I have jalapeno honey flavor)
Equipment:
12 toothpicks
Ingredient Tips and Notes
You can use any flavor of goat cheese you like for this. Plain, garlic and herb, and honey are some of my other favorite options for this recipe. You can also substitute other soft cheeses, like cream cheese or Brie, if preferred
If you would like to season your bacon, feel free (but it’s entirely optional). Some good choices are garlic powder, paprika, thyme, black pepper, or sriracha for a spicy kick. About ½ tsp is usually good, but you can adjust to taste. You could also use flavored bacon, such as maple (any variety is fine as long as it’s thin or regular cut)
Step By Step Instructions
Open each date by cutting one side lengthwise (they may already be sliced if they’re pitted) and stuff each one with goat cheese. Try to push them closed a bit to help seal the cheese in
Wrap each date in one half of a slice of bacon, and use a toothpick to secure the ends. If you plan to season the bacon, do so now
Place the dates into your air fryer’s basket or rack in a single layer (allow some air space between them for even cooking)
Cook on the air fry setting for 10-15 minutes at 390°F (I do not preheat for this recipe), flipping every 5 minutes, or until desired level of bacon crisping is reached. Times may vary slightly between air fryers and personal preference
Can I Use Turkey Bacon Instead of Regular Bacon for Wrapping the Dates?
Yes, you can substitute turkey bacon for regular bacon.
However, the cooking time will be less for turkey bacon, usually 5-7 minutes on average.
What Type of Dates Works Best for This Recipe?
Medjool dates are commonly used for this recipe due to their larger size and natural sweetness.
However, you can use other types of dates based on your preference or local availability.
Can I Prepare Bacon Wrapped Dates in Advance and Reheat Them Later?
Yes, you can prepare these appetizers in advance and reheat them in the air fryer for a few minutes before serving.
You may also freeze them and warm them up from frozen, for a longer-term storage option.
Should I Pre-soak the Toothpicks Before Using Them to Secure the Bacon?
It’s advisable to soak the toothpicks in water for about 15-20 minutes before using them.
This helps prevent them from burning during the cooking process.
How Do I Store Any Leftovers?
Place the cooled leftover bacon wrapped dates in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat them in the air fryer before serving for a few minutes at a lower temperature to re-crisp them.
Can I Freeze Uncooked Bacon Wrapped Dates for Later Use?
Yes, you can freeze uncooked bacon wrapped dates. Arrange them on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container.
When ready to cook, air fry them from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Recipe Pro Tips
Soak your toothpicks in water while preparing the dates, which helps to keep the toothpicks from burning during cooking
I find that about ½ tsp goat cheese is the right amount for stuffing, but you can adjust based on the size of your specific dates
This recipe is very easy to double (or more) to make larger batches, but you may need to cook in multiple batches depending on the size of your air fryer
Storage and Reheating Tips
If you have any leftover dates, cool them and then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
To reheat, air fry for 2-3 minutes at 325°F, or until they are warmed through and the bacon is crispy
These easy air fryer bacon wrapped dates require just 3 ingredients and cook up crisp and delicious in only 10-15 minutes. You can even do the preparation and wrapping ahead of time, for a quick appetizer option any time you have company!
I love to serve these tasty treats up for Christmas, but they’re equally good at Thanksgiving, your Super Bowl party, or any time you need a simple app or snack.
You can use a variety of different cheese flavors, and feel free to use something else instead of the goat cheese if you don’t like it. I love the balance of sweet, heat, and saltiness combined with crisp bacon, soft dates, and creamy cheese!
Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Dates With Goat Cheese
These easy air fryer bacon wrapped dates are stuffed with goat cheese for the perfect bite! With just 3 ingredients and about 15 minutes of cooking time, they’re perfect for entertaining.
2Ouncesgoat cheese(such as Montchevre jalapeno honey)
Instructions
Open each date by cutting one side lengthwise (they may already be sliced if they’re pitted) and stuff each one with goat cheese. Try to push them closed a bit to help seal the cheese in
12 Medjool dates, 2 Ounces goat cheese
Wrap each date in one half of a slice of bacon, and use a toothpick to secure the ends. If you plan to season the bacon, do so now
6 Slices bacon, cut in half
Place the dates into your air fryer’s basket or rack in a single layer (allow some air space between them for even cooking)
Cook on the air fry setting for 10-15 minutes at 390°F (I do not preheat for this recipe), flipping every 5 minutes, or until desired level of bacon crisping is reached. Times may vary slightly between air fryers and personal preference
Enjoy hot!
Notes
You can use any flavor of goat cheese you like for this, or substitute other soft cheeses, like cream cheese or Brie
If you would like to season your bacon, feel free. Some good choices are garlic powder, paprika, thyme, black pepper, or sriracha for a spicy kick. About ½ tsp is usually good, but you can adjust to taste. You could also use flavored bacon, such as maple (any variety is fine as long as it’s thin or regular cut)
Soak your toothpicks in water while preparing the dates, which helps to keep the toothpicks from burning during cooking
I find that about ½ tsp goat cheese is the right amount for stuffing, but you can adjust based on the size of your specific dates
This recipe is very easy to double (or more) to make larger batches, but you may need to cook in multiple batches depending on the size of your air fryer
If you have any leftover dates, cool them and then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
To reheat, air fry for 2-3 minutes at 325°F, or until they are warmed through and the bacon is crispy
Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any sauces or sides added, and actual quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Keyword air fried hors d’oeuvres, air fryer appetizers, air fryer bacon wrapped dates, bacon wrapped dates goat cheese air fryer, bacon wrapped dates keto, medjool date appetizers, quick party snacks, stuffed dates with bacon
I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
