Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Dates
Bacon-wrapped dates need three ingredients and almost no skill, and they are an easy one-bite snack for a New Year's Eve party. Each soft Medjool date gets an almond tucked inside and half a slice of bacon wrapped around it, then the air fryer crisps the bacon while the date turns warm and jammy. You can wrap them a day ahead or freeze them, and the oven method is in the tips.
Published
- Prep Time
- 20 mins
- Cook Time
- 24 mins
- Total Time
- 44 mins
- Servings
- 24 bacon-wrapped dates
How do you make Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Dates?
Tuck an almond into each of 24 pitted Medjool dates, wrap each one in half a slice of bacon and lay them seam side down in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 190°C (375°F) for 10-12 minutes, turning halfway, until the bacon is browned and crisp. Cool for 5 minutes before serving. In the oven, bake at 200°C (400°F) for 18-22 minutes.
- Total time
- 44 mins
- Calories
- 290 per serving
- Protein
- 6.5 g
- Yield
- 24 bacon-wrapped dates
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Method
- Air frying
Ingredients
Equipment
Air fryer · Paring knife · Toothpicks · Paper towels
Quick Directions
Stuff the dates
If your dates still have pits, cut a slit along one side of each date and pull the pit out.
Wrap in bacon
Wrap a half slice of bacon around the middle of each date, stretching it slightly, so the ends overlap underneath.
Air fry
Preheat the air fryer to 190°C (375°F).
Cool and serve
Move the dates to a plate lined with paper towel and let them cool for 5 minutes, because the date inside gets very hot.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these detailed steps to make the perfect air fryer bacon-wrapped dates.
Stuff the dates
If your dates still have pits, cut a slit along one side of each date and pull the pit out. Push an almond into each date and press the date closed around it.
Wrap in bacon
Wrap a half slice of bacon around the middle of each date, stretching it slightly, so the ends overlap underneath. Push a toothpick through any that do not stay closed.
Air fry
Preheat the air fryer to 190°C (375°F). Arrange about 12 dates seam side down in a single layer with a little space between them. Air fry for 10-12 minutes, turning them halfway, until the bacon is browned and crisp. Repeat with the rest.
Cool and serve
Move the dates to a plate lined with paper towel and let them cool for 5 minutes, because the date inside gets very hot. Remove the toothpicks, or tell guests they are there, and serve warm or at room temperature.
Recipe Tips
- Oven method: heat the oven to 200°C (400°F) and set a rack over a foil-lined baking sheet. Lay the wrapped dates seam side down on the rack and bake for 18-22 minutes, turning halfway, until the bacon is crisp.
- Empty the fat from the air fryer drawer between batches so it does not smoke.
- Smaller Deglet Noor dates work too. Wrap each one in a third of a slice of bacon and start checking after 8 minutes.
- Thick-cut bacon is still chewy by the time the dates are hot through, so stick to thin or regular slices.
- For a party, cook them in batches as guests arrive and do not leave them out for longer than 2 hours.
Variations
- Goat cheese: skip the almonds and fill each date with 1/2 tsp soft goat cheese (about 60 g in total). Chill the wrapped dates for 15 minutes before cooking so the cheese does not leak.
- Blue cheese: fill the dates with small pieces of blue cheese instead of almonds.
- Maple chili: brush the bacon with 1 tbsp maple syrup mixed with a pinch of cayenne for the last 2 minutes of cooking.
- Prosciutto: wrap the dates in half slices of prosciutto and air fry for 6-8 minutes, until crisp.
Nutrition (per serving)
| Calories | 290 |
|---|---|
| Protein | 6.5 g |
| Carbs | 55 g |
| Fat | 7 g |
| Saturated fat | 2 g |
| Fibre | 5 g |
| Sugar | 48 g |
| Sodium | 220 mg |
Estimated from the listed ingredients; values vary by brand.
Related Recipes
Storing & Reheating
- Fridge
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Wrapped, uncooked dates keep, covered, in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
- Freezer
- Freeze wrapped, uncooked dates on a tray, then pack them into a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Air fry from frozen at 180°C (350°F) for 14-16 minutes, turning halfway, until the bacon is crisp.
- Reheat
- Reheat in the air fryer at 180°C (350°F) for 3-4 minutes, until hot and crisp again.
Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Dates FAQs
What kind of dates are best for wrapping in bacon?
Medjool dates are the best choice because they are large, soft and easy to stuff. Smaller Deglet Noor dates also work: wrap each in a third of a slice of bacon and check them after 8 minutes in the air fryer.
How long do bacon-wrapped dates take in the air fryer?
Cook them at 190°C (375°F) for 10-12 minutes, turning halfway, until the bacon is browned and crisp. Frozen wrapped dates take 14-16 minutes at 180°C (350°F).
Do I need toothpicks for bacon-wrapped dates?
Not always. Placing the dates seam side down usually keeps the bacon in place, but the air fryer fan can lift loose ends, so a toothpick through any that unroll helps.
Can I make bacon-wrapped dates ahead of time?
Yes. Stuff and wrap them up to 24 hours ahead and keep them covered in the fridge, or freeze them for up to 2 months. Cook them just before serving.
Are bacon-wrapped dates gluten-free?
Dates, almonds and plain bacon are naturally gluten-free. Check the label on flavoured or glazed bacon, which can contain gluten.
Disclaimer
- Nutrition information is an estimate based on the listed ingredients. It changes with the brands, portion sizes and swaps you use.
- Read ingredient labels for allergens and for diet claims such as gluten-free or vegan. Products and their ingredients can change.
- Cooking times are a guide, since ovens, air fryers and slow cookers all run differently. Use a food thermometer and cook meat, poultry and fish to the safe internal temperatures in government food safety guidance.
- This recipe is general information, not medical or nutrition advice. If you have an allergy, a health condition or a special diet, check with a qualified health professional.
