When the bacon starts to brown around the edges, the dates turn glossy and the goat cheese just begins to soften inside. That’s when these air fryer bacon wrapped dates are at their best: a crisp, salty outside around a sweet, tender center. I like them for a party appetizer because each one is already portioned, and the air fryer cooks them in batches without needing a sheet pan.
Large Medjool dates give you room for the goat cheese and enough surface area for a half slice of bacon to wrap around them. I open each date along its natural slit, add about a teaspoon of softened cheese, then secure the bacon with a toothpick. The filling stays tucked inside, and the bacon gets a chance to brown in the hot air fryer. After a short rest, the centers are warm and creamy beneath the crisp bacon.
Kitchen Note
A toothpick does more than keep the bacon wrapped around the date. I use it to steady each piece when I turn the dates halfway through cooking, so the bacon stays in place instead of slipping against the basket.
Save these air fryer bacon wrapped dates with goat cheese for a party appetizer that pairs crisp bacon with a soft, sweet center.
Why Crowding the Air Fryer Keeps the Bacon From Crisping
The dates need to sit in a single layer so hot air can move around the bacon. When pieces overlap or press tightly against one another, the covered spots don’t brown at the same pace as the exposed ones. That leaves you with bacon that’s crisp in places but soft where the dates touched.
It’s worth cooking in batches if all the dates won’t fit comfortably in one layer. A little space around each piece gives the bacon a better chance to brown evenly, and it makes turning the dates halfway through much easier. Resist the urge to squeeze in one extra row; a second batch is more reliable than a crowded basket.
The dates are naturally soft, so the goal isn’t to dry them out. Look for bacon that’s browned and crisp, then let the dates rest before serving. That contrast—crisp outside, tender date, creamy goat cheese—is what makes each bite work.
Why Medjool Dates and Regular-Cut Bacon Suit This Bite
- Medjool dates — Their large size leaves room for the cheese while still giving the bacon enough date to wrap around. Choose dates that feel soft and pliable rather than dried out or hard. Smaller dates are a poor fit here because the filling and bacon won’t have the same space.
- Goat cheese — Softened cheese is easier to portion into the slit without tearing the date. Its tangy, creamy taste balances the date’s sweetness. Use a fresh package from the refrigerator; there’s no need for an expensive specialty variety. Another cheese would change the flavor and may not soften in the same way, so I stick with goat cheese for this version.
- Regular-cut bacon — It wraps around the dates neatly and browns within the cook time. Thick-cut bacon takes longer to crisp, which makes it harder to get the same result without changing the timing. Regular-cut bacon is the practical choice here, and the date keeps each piece from feeling skimpy.
- Wooden toothpicks — These hold the bacon in place during cooking and while turning the dates. Have them ready before you start wrapping; each piece needs one to stay secure.
From Stuffing the Dates to Crisping the Bacon
Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheat a 6-quart air fryer to 375°F for 3 minutes. Starting with a hot basket gives the bacon a consistent start instead of asking it to warm gradually alongside the air fryer. While it preheats, open the dates and soften the goat cheese enough to spoon into the slits.
Fill Each Date Without Overstuffing
Open each date along its slit and add about 1 teaspoon of softened goat cheese. Keep the filling inside the opening rather than piling it above the edges. A modest amount leaves room to wrap the bacon neatly and helps keep the cheese tucked in as it warms.
Wrap and Secure the Bacon
Wrap each stuffed date with a half slice of regular-cut bacon. Secure it with a wooden toothpick so the bacon stays around the date during cooking. Check that the bacon is held firmly before arranging the dates in the basket; loose ends can shift when you turn them.
Cook Until the Bacon Is Browned and Crisp
Arrange the dates in a single layer in the air fryer basket, working in batches as needed. Cook at 375°F for 10–14 minutes, turning halfway through, until the bacon is browned and crisp. Air fryers can brown at slightly different rates, so use the bacon’s color and texture as your cue within that cooking window. Let the dates rest for 3 minutes before serving.
Two Easy Ways to Change the Bacon-and-Date Combination
Dairy-free bacon-wrapped dates
Leave out the goat cheese, then wrap and secure the dates with bacon as usual. The bites will be less creamy and more focused on the sweet date and salty bacon, but they’re a straightforward option for guests avoiding dairy.
Goat-cheese-stuffed dates without bacon
Skip the bacon and fill the dates with the softened goat cheese for a simpler, meat-free bite. The dates stay soft rather than gaining a crisp outside, and the tangy cheese comes through more clearly. This version doesn’t need the air fryer.
Storage and Reheating
- Refrigerator: Keep leftover cooked dates covered in the refrigerator for 3–4 days. The bacon will soften as it sits.
- Freezer: They can be frozen, though the bacon won’t be as crisp after thawing. Freeze in a single layer, then transfer to an airtight container for up to 2 months.
- Reheating: Warm them in the air fryer until heated through. The microwave is quicker, but it softens the bacon rather than restoring its crispness.
Questions That Come Up While Making These Dates
Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Dates With Goat Cheese – Party Appetizer Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat a 6-quart air fryer to 375°F for 3 minutes.
- Open each date along its slit.
- Fill each date with about 1 teaspoon goat cheese.
- Wrap each date with a half slice of bacon.
- Secure each bacon-wrapped date with a toothpick.
- Arrange the dates in a single layer in the air fryer basket, working in batches as needed.
- Cook at 375°F for 10–14 minutes, turning halfway, until the bacon is browned and crisp.
- Let the dates rest for 3 minutes before serving.
