Crispy Beef Bacon Wrapped Dates (Printable)
Sweet Medjool dates filled with creamy cheese and wrapped in crispy beef bacon for a savory bite.
# What You'll Need:
→ Dates & Filling
01 - 16 large Medjool dates, pitted
02 - 3 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
03 - 16 whole toasted almonds (optional)
→ Wrapping
04 - 8 slices beef bacon, halved
→ For Air Frying
05 - Olive oil spray
# How to Make It:
01 - Make a small lengthwise slit in each date and remove the pit if necessary.
02 - Stuff each date with approximately 1 teaspoon of cream cheese and add an almond if desired. Pinch the date closed to secure the filling.
03 - Envelop each stuffed date with half a slice of beef bacon. Secure with a toothpick if needed.
04 - Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil and arrange the wrapped dates in a single layer, ensuring space between them.
05 - Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping halfway through until bacon crisps and turns golden brown.
06 - Allow dates to cool slightly before serving. Remove toothpicks prior to eating.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- They're sweet, salty, and crispy all at once—the kind of bite that makes people ask for the recipe immediately.
- Prep is genuinely easy, and the air fryer does most of the heavy lifting while you chat with guests or pour a drink.
- They disappear faster than almost any appetizer you'll make, which is somehow both satisfying and slightly heartbreaking.
02 -
- The air fryer temperature matters more than you'd think—too low and the bacon stays chewy, too high and the outside burns before the filling warms through.
- Softened cream cheese spreads easily and melts into the date rather than creating a thick lump, so don't skip the step of letting it come to room temperature.
- Turning them halfway isn't optional if you want even browning; one side will always crisp faster than the other.
03 -
- If your bacon is thick-cut, freeze it for 20 minutes before slicing—it cuts more cleanly and wraps more neatly around the dates.
- A light hand with the olive oil spray is all you need; too much and they'll glisten in an unappealing way rather than looking golden and crispy.