Four ingredients and the best thing on any party table. The date turns to caramel, the cheese goes molten and salty, and the bacon crisps around it. Use half rashers, since a full one wraps too thick to crisp before the date burns.
Everything you need
- 16 Medjool dates, pitted
- ⅓ cup (75 g) blue cheese or goat cheese
- 8 streaky bacon rashers, halved
- 16 whole almonds, optional
- 1 tbsp honey, to finish
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Single layer, always. Crowding the basket steams food instead of crisping it. Tap any ingredient to open its converter.
Method
0 of 6 done-
Slit each date lengthways without cutting through, and remove the stone if it's still in.
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Press about a teaspoon of cheese into each date, and push an almond in alongside if using. Close the date around the filling.
For this step
- ⅓ cup (75 g) blue cheese or goat cheese
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Wrap each one in a half rasher of bacon, overlapping slightly, and secure with a cocktail stick pushed right through.
For this step
- 8 streaky bacon rashers
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Preheat the air fryer to 190°C / 375°F for 3 minutes. Arrange the parcels seam side down in a single layer, not touching.
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Air fry for 6 minutes, turn each one over, and cook another 4 to 6 minutes until the bacon is crisp all round.
For this step
- 8 streaky bacon rashers
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Rest for 3 minutes, since the filling is molten, then drizzle with honey and grind over black pepper.
For this step
- 1 tbsp honey
- ¼ tsp black pepper
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Air fryer notes
- Cook at 190°C / 375°F and preheat for 2 to 3 minutes for the crispiest result.
- Keep everything in a single layer with space around each piece. Overcrowding steams food instead of crisping it, so cook in batches if your basket is small.
- Shake or turn halfway, and check a few minutes early, since air fryers cook faster than ovens and every model runs slightly differently.
Cook's tips
- Medjool dates are worth it here. Dry Deglet dates stay chewy and don't turn to caramel.
- Some cheese always leaks and burns on the basket. Line it with a perforated liner and cleanup takes seconds.
Make it your own
- Swap the cheese for a whole toasted almond only, for a simpler, less rich version.
- Use chorizo instead of the almond for a Spanish take.
Storing & reheating
Best warm. Assemble raw parcels up to a day ahead and refrigerate, then cook straight from cold, adding 2 minutes. Cooked ones reheat at 180°C for 3 minutes.
Frequently asked
Do I need cocktail sticks?
Yes. The fan will unwrap loose bacon and blow it around the basket. Push the stick right through so it holds both edges.
Can I make these ahead for a party?
Assemble them raw up to 24 hours ahead and keep covered in the fridge. Cook straight from cold, adding about 2 minutes.
Adapting your own recipe? Use the oven to air fryer converter for temp and time, or the recipe scaler to halve or double this.
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A note on cooking safely. Recipes are provided for informational purposes only and are not medical or nutritional advice. Cooking times, temperatures and quantities are suggestions: use your own judgement, and check that meat, poultry, fish and eggs are properly cooked before serving.
Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making dietary changes, particularly if you have allergies, a medical condition or specific nutritional requirements.