Pin It These Medjool dates are stuffed with creamy cheese and wrapped in savory beef bacon to create a crispy, flavorful bite. Cooking them in the air fryer ensures a perfectly browned texture with minimal effort. This easy-to-make snack offers a satisfying balance of sweet and savory that works wonderfully as an appetizer or party treat. Experiment with different cheeses or nuts to customize the rich filling.
I threw together these bacon-wrapped dates on a whim one evening when friends texted they were coming over in an hour. I had dates sitting in the pantry, some cream cheese in the fridge, and a pack of beef bacon I'd been meaning to use. Ten minutes of prep, ten minutes in the air fryer, and suddenly I looked like I'd planned the whole thing.
The first batch disappeared before I could plate them properly. My friend Carla stood by the air fryer with a napkin, pulling them out one by one and eating them straight off the basket. She kept saying just one more until there were only three left for everyone else. I've been making double batches ever since.
Ingredients
- Medjool dates: Use the big, soft ones that feel a little sticky when you touch them, they hold the filling better and stay tender even after crisping.
- Cream cheese: Softened cream cheese spreads easiest, but goat cheese adds a tangy sharpness that balances the sweetness beautifully.
- Toasted almonds: These add a surprise crunch in the center, but you can skip them if you want pure creamy sweetness.
- Beef bacon: It crisps up just like pork bacon but with a slightly deeper, meatier flavor that works perfectly here.
- Olive oil spray: Just a light mist keeps everything from sticking and helps the bacon brown evenly.
Instructions
- Prep the dates:
- Slice each date lengthwise just enough to open it like a book and pull out the pit if it's still in there. Try not to tear the date all the way through.
- Stuff them:
- Spoon about a teaspoon of cream cheese into each date, pressing an almond into the center if you're using them. Pinch the date back together gently so the filling stays tucked inside.
- Wrap with bacon:
- Take half a slice of beef bacon and wrap it snugly around each stuffed date, tucking the ends underneath. Use a toothpick to hold it if the bacon feels loose.
- Arrange in the air fryer:
- Spray the basket lightly with olive oil and lay the wrapped dates in a single layer with a little space between each one. Crowding them will steam the bacon instead of crisping it.
- Air fry until crispy:
- Set the air fryer to 200°C and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping them halfway through. The bacon should look golden and crisp, with the edges just starting to curl.
- Cool and serve:
- Let them sit for a minute or two before serving so the cheese sets slightly and no one burns their mouth. Pull out any toothpicks before plating.
Pin It I brought these to a family gathering once and my cousin, who usually picks at appetizers, ate seven in a row and asked for the recipe on the spot. Her kids fought over the last one. It's become the thing I'm asked to bring now, which is fine by me because they're easier to make than most people realize.
Cheese Variations Worth Trying
Goat cheese gives you a sharper, tangier bite that cuts through the sweetness in a way cream cheese doesn't. Blue cheese is bold and funky, not for everyone but absolutely incredible if you like strong flavors. Herbed cream cheese adds little flecks of green and a subtle savory note that makes them feel fancier without any extra work.
Serving Suggestions
A thin drizzle of honey right before serving amplifies the sweetness and makes them glisten. A sprinkle of chopped fresh thyme or rosemary adds an herbal edge that feels elegant. I've served them with toothpicks on a wooden board next to olives and it looked like I hired a caterer.
Make Ahead and Storage Tips
You can stuff and wrap the dates up to a day ahead, then keep them covered in the fridge until you're ready to air fry. They reheat well in the air fryer for about three minutes at 180°C if you have leftovers, though that's rarely a problem. I wouldn't freeze them because the dates get a weird texture when thawed, but they hold up fine in the fridge for a couple of days.
- Assemble them in the morning and air fry right before guests arrive.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat briefly to re-crisp the bacon.
- Don't freeze, the texture of the dates changes too much.
Pin It These little bites have saved me more times than I can count, last-minute guests, potluck panic, or just a random Wednesday craving. They taste like effort but feel like none, which is exactly the kind of recipe I come back to again and again.
