Air fryer chorizo-stuffed bacon wrapped dates are the perfect combination of sweet and smoky. The dates are stuffed with cooked chorizo then wrapped with bacon and cooked in the air fryer. It's a delicious appetizer that can be eaten as is or paired with a variety of sauces!
These chorizo-stuffed bacon wrapped dates are such a delicious appetizer to make in the air fryer. The dates get a little caramelized in the air fryer, giving a natural sweetness to the dish that almost makes it feel like a dessert.
The dates pair so wonderfully with the smoky chorizo and the saltiness of the bacon. Pair with a sauce like a roasted red pepper sauce or a cilantro cream sauce to expand on the flavors even more!
Ingredients:
- Dates
- Bacon (center cut, not thick cut)
- Ground chorizo
Where can you find dates?
Dates can be found at most grocery stores including Whole Foods, Trader Joe's and Costco. I typically buy the kind that already have the pits removed. If your dates have pits, just slice and remove the pit before stuffing with the chorizo.
What is chorizo (and what type to use)?
Chorizo is a pork sausage that is heavily seasoned. You can find chorizo both in ground form and in a sausage-like link that is sliced thinly.
For this recipe, we use ground chorizo.
Customizations and serving suggestions:
Not a fan of chorizo? Or can't find it? You can stuff the dates with goat cheese instead.
While the dates give that sweet flavor to the dish, if you would prefer a savory version, you can swap out the dates with jalapenos sliced in half.
For a bit of brightness, you can squeeze a little lemon or lime juice over the top and also top with some fresh herbs.
The dish can be served as is, with a dipping sauce, or on top of a sauce like a roasted red pepper sauce.
Recipe tips:
- Try not to slice the dates all the way through, as you want them to hold together after stuffing.
- Stuff the dates as full of chorizo as you can before wrapping in bacon!
- The toothpick will help to hold the dates together while cooking in the air fryer.
- You may have chorizo leftover after stuffing the dates. Save it and use with scrambled eggs the next day!
How to make:
First, cook your chorizo in a skillet until browned and cooked through, stirring as needed.
Next, slice each date partway in half (removing the pit if needed). Do not slice all the way through the date. Stuff the date with the cooked chorizo.
Slice each piece of bacon in half, then wrap each half slice around one of the dates and stick with a toothpick to keep the bacon wrapped and attached to the date.
Place in a single layer in air fryer basket and cook at 390 degrees F for 6 minutes, then flip and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes until bacon is done to your preference.
Enjoy!
This recipe was inspired by The Defined Dish
Other air fryer recipes to love:
Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Dates with Chorizo
Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 dates
- 8 oz ground chorizo
- 6 slices bacon center cut
Instructions
- In a skillet, cook chorizo until browned and cooked through, stirring as needed.
- Take each date and slice through halfway, removing the pit if needed, but taking care to make sure the date stays in one piece.
- Stuff each date with cooked chorizo.
- Take each slice of back and slice in half horizontally. Wrap each half of bacon around each of the dates and secure with a toothpick.
- Place in the air fryer basket and cook at 390 degrees F for 6 minutes, then flip and cook for another 3-5 minutes until bacon is cooked through.
- Remove and serve as desired.
Notes
- Try not to slice the dates all the way through, as you want them to hold together after stuffing.
- Stuff the dates as full of chorizo as you can before wrapping in bacon!
- The toothpick will help to hold the dates together while cooking in the air fryer.
- You may have chorizo leftover after stuffing the dates. Save it and use with scrambled eggs the next day!
Nutrition
If nutrition info is shown, values are based on an online calculator and are estimates. Please verify using your own data.
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