Crispy Beef Bacon Wrapped Dates (Printable)
Crispy beef bacon wrapped dates stuffed with goat cheese, air-fried to perfection.
# What You'll Need:
→ Dates & Filling
01 - 16 large Medjool dates, pitted
02 - 2 oz goat cheese, softened
→ Bacon
03 - 8 strips beef bacon, cut in half crosswise
→ Optional Garnish
04 - 1 tbsp honey
05 - 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
# How to Make It:
01 - Slice each date lengthwise, remove the pit if necessary, and create a small pocket for filling.
02 - Fill each date with approximately 1 teaspoon of softened goat cheese.
03 - Wrap each stuffed date with a half slice of beef bacon, securing it with a toothpick if needed.
04 - Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes.
05 - Place the dates in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they do not touch each other.
06 - Air fry for 8 to 10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the bacon is crispy and browned.
07 - Remove from the air fryer and let cool slightly. Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with parsley if desired. Serve warm.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- They taste like you spent hours in the kitchen, but your secret is out in 25 minutes flat.
- The sweet-salty-savory balance keeps people reaching for just one more, which means they disappear fast.
- Naturally gluten-free and easily adaptable, so no one gets left out of the party.
02 -
- Don't skip the preheat—a cold air fryer is the difference between crispy bacon and chewy, regrettable bacon.
- If your dates are dry, soak them in warm water for five minutes before opening; they'll be easier to work with and taste better.
- Arrange them in a single layer and actually shake the basket; crowding them or skipping the shake means some stay pale while others burn.
03 -
- Softening the goat cheese at room temperature for ten minutes makes filling the dates smoother and prevents tearing the delicate fruit.
- A toothpick isn't always necessary—if your bacon overlap is secure, it'll stay wrapped through the cooking; save the toothpicks for dates that feel loose.