Air fryer stuffed dates combine sweet, smoky, and savory flavors in a simple, crowd-pleasing appetizer. Medjool dates are filled with cooked ground chorizo, wrapped in bacon, and crisped in the air fryer for a caramelized, savory bite. Serve them on their own or with a complementary sauce such as a roasted red pepper dip or a cilantro cream for extra brightness.
These air fryer bacon-wrapped dates are easy to make and impressive to serve. The air fryer caramelizes the dates slightly, enhancing their natural sweetness and creating a contrast with the spicy, smoky chorizo and salty bacon. The result feels indulgent—almost like a sweet-savory dessert appetizer.
For a quicker or vegetarian-friendly variation, omit the chorizo and stuff the dates with goat cheese or blue cheese before wrapping in bacon (or using a plant-based bacon alternative). The creaminess of the cheese pairs beautifully with the date’s sweetness and the bacon’s texture.
Ingredients
- Dates (pitted or pitted by you)
- Bacon (center-cut, not thick-cut)
- Ground chorizo (cooked)
How to make stuffed dates in the air fryer
Begin by cooking the ground chorizo in a skillet over medium heat until fully browned and cooked through, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks. Drain any excess fat if necessary. If you prefer to use goat or blue cheese instead of chorizo, skip this cooking step.
Working with one date at a time, slice each date lengthwise about halfway through and remove the pit if your dates are not already pitted. Keep the date intact so it holds the filling.
Spoon a small amount of cooked chorizo into each date, filling the cavity without overstuffing. Next, cut each bacon slice in half lengthwise (or across, depending on the bacon style), then wrap one half around each stuffed date. Secure with a toothpick if needed.
Arrange the wrapped dates in a single layer in the air fryer basket so air can circulate around each piece. Air fry at 390°F (about 200°C) for 6 minutes, then flip the dates and continue cooking another 3–5 minutes or until the bacon reaches your preferred level of crispiness.
Remove the dates from the air fryer, let them rest briefly so the bacon sets, then serve warm. They make a great finger food for parties, game nights, or holiday gatherings.
This recipe was inspired by The Defined Dish.
Where to buy dates
Dates are available at most grocery stores and often come with the pits removed. If you buy dates with pits, remove them before stuffing by slicing the date halfway open and pulling out the pit.
About chorizo
Chorizo is a well-seasoned pork sausage available as fresh ground chorizo or as cured links. For this recipe, use raw ground chorizo that you cook briefly in a skillet before stuffing the dates.
Customizations and serving suggestions
If chorizo isn’t available or you prefer a milder filling, try goat cheese, blue cheese, or cream cheese mixed with herbs. For a savory bite with heat, replace dates with halved jalapeños and follow the same stuffing and wrapping steps.
Finish the plated dates with a squeeze of lemon or lime and a sprinkle of fresh herbs for brightness. Serve with dipping sauces like roasted red pepper sauce, cilantro crema, or a simple yogurt-based dip to complement the richness.
Recipe tips
- Don’t slice the dates all the way through; keeping them hinged helps hold the filling.
- Pack the chorizo into the dates firmly so it stays in place while wrapping and cooking.
- Use toothpicks to secure the bacon while air frying to prevent it from unraveling.
- Leftover cooked chorizo can be saved and used to scramble eggs or top salads the next day.
Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Dates
Pin Recipe
Equipment
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Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 12 dates
- 8 oz ground chorizo
- 6 slices bacon center cut
Instructions
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1. In a skillet, cook chorizo until browned and cooked through, stirring as needed.
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2. Slice each date halfway through and remove the pit if needed, keeping the date intact.
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3. Stuff each date with cooked chorizo.
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4. Cut bacon slices in half, wrap each half around a stuffed date, and secure with a toothpick.
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5. Air fry at 390°F for 6 minutes, flip, then cook 3–5 more minutes until bacon is done.
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6. Remove from the air fryer and serve warm.
Notes
- Don’t slice dates completely through—leave them hinged so they hold the filling.
- Pack the chorizo tightly into each date before wrapping with bacon.
- Toothpicks help keep the bacon secure while cooking.
- Extra cooked chorizo can be kept for breakfast or another recipe.
Nutrition
If nutrition info is shown, values are estimates calculated online. Verify with your own data if exact values are needed.