Crispy Beef Bacon Wrapped Dates (Printer-friendly)

Medjool dates filled with cheese and wrapped in crispy beef bacon, air fried for a savory snack.

# What You Need:

→ Dates & Filling

01 - 16 large Medjool dates, pitted
02 - 3 ounces cream cheese, softened (or goat cheese as a variation)
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 - Fill each date with approximately 1 teaspoon cream cheese and add an almond if using. Pinch the edges closed.
03 - Wrap each stuffed date with half a slice of beef bacon, securing with a toothpick if needed.
04 - Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil and arrange the wrapped dates in a single layer, leaving space between them.
05 - Cook at 400°F for 8 to 10 minutes, turning once halfway, until bacon is crisp and browned.
06 - Allow to cool briefly before removing toothpicks and serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • They look fancy enough for a dinner party but take barely longer than snack prep time.
  • The contrast between sweet dates, salty bacon, and creamy cheese is genuinely addictive.
  • Gluten-free by nature, naturally impressive, and somehow always gone within minutes.
02 -
  • Don't skip turning them halfway—the side facing down will crisp beautifully, but you need even heat for the bacon to render properly on both sides.
  • Softened cream cheese makes everything easier; if yours is cold, it'll slip out during wrapping and cooking, leaving your date hollow and disappointed.
03 -
  • Cut your bacon slices in half lengthwise rather than across the strips—they wrap better and crisp more evenly around the curved surface of each date.
  • If the ends of the bacon slip away during cooking, it means your air fryer runs hot or you didn't turn them halfway; next time adjust the temperature down by 10 degrees and flip them at the 5-minute mark.

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