Prepare This Retro Party Appetizer in the Air Fryer
Sugar, salt, and fat add flavor to dishes, which is why most holiday meals contain at least two, if not all three ingredients. A good holiday snack usually has a fun texture, such as crunchy, chewy and/or melting. These air-fried devils have it all.
Devils on horseback are a true retro party appetizer dating back to the 1800s. Dried fruits such as dates or prunes are stuffed with cheese or nuts and wrapped in cured pork and then fried or baked. The cheese is melted and the pork is browned, resulting in a sweet-and-salty bite that hits with all your favorite flavors and textures. It’s a decadent little morsel, and cooking it in the air fryer allows you to access that decadence even faster.
To make Devils on Horseback, you will need three things: fruit, cheese, and pork. For fruits, you can use pitted dates or prunes, although I always choose dates. I also like to use aggressive blue cheese for a whimsical twist, but softer cheeses like Manchego, Gruyère, or Asiago can also be used. Both bacon and prosciutto are deliciously crunchy – there’s no wrong answer when it comes to jerky pork.
Once you’ve made those difficult decisions and assembled the necessary components, it’s time to stuff and pack. Open a slit in the date, fill it with a small piece of cheese and wrap it in half a slice of bacon (or prosciutto). No need to secure with a toothpick. I’ve fried them with and without toothpicks and it didn’t make a difference. Air fry in a single layer until the bacon is crispy and serve hot (although they are fine at room temperature).
These little packages will be ready in 10 minutes (maximum), a small time investment that makes them equally suitable for chic cocktail parties and regular movie marathons. The air fryer method is also more suitable for hot summer days, as it does not require a conventional oven, which heats up your home and uses much more energy than an air fryer. (I need this energy to power my air conditioner.)
Fried devils on horseback
Ingredients:
- Seedless dates, as many as you want
- Bacon, half a slice per date
- Cheese, about 1/2 teaspoon per date
Heat the fryer to 360℉. Open the date – there should already be a small gap where the bone was removed. Stuff the inside with a piece of cheese; it’s ok if it sticks out a little.
Get your bacon. If you plan to make 12 hecks, you will need 6 full strips divided in half. Place each date on a half slice of bacon and roll it up. Place it seam-side down on the airfryer pan and cook for 7-10 minutes until the bacon is crispy. Serve immediately.
Top Rated Fryers:
- If you want to see what’s going on in the basket: 6 quart Instant Vortex Plus fryer with ClearCook window.
- If you need something compact: Instant Pot Vortex 4-in-1, 2-quart mini fryer.
- If you’re interested: Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro
- If you want to beat Costco in the grilled chicken game: Instant Omni Pro
- If you want to keep things simple: COSORI Air Fryer Pro