About This Recipe
During the holiday season, appetizers are necessary for many parties. I myself like to make an entire meal of appetizers, and a collection of great munchies is perfect for an easy holiday party. This easy and delicious recipe for Devils on Horseback is perfect.
Just three ingredients combine to make a treat that tastes like so much more than the combination of ingredients. While this appetizer is easy to make, it can be a bit tricky, since you have to watch them carefully while they are under the broiler. You want the bacon to be nice and crisp, but it mustn’t burn or the flavor will be ruined.
I usually like to use precooked bacon, which shortens the broiling time and ensures that that bacon will be perfectly brown and crisp. You can soften the precooked bacon for a bit in the microwave before you wrap it around the stuffed dates.
By the day, as a variation on this recipe, you can use dried apricots in place of the dates. In that case, the recipe is called Angels on Horseback!
So settle in, or grab a helper, and enjoy making these little bites. You can make them ahead of time, then broil them just before serving. Yum.
Tips for making the best Devils on Horseback appetizers:
- Make sure that the dates are pitted. I like using Medjool dates, which are the best in terms of flavor and texture, but they are usually not available pitted. Carefully remove each pit before you start stuffing the dates.
- Do not use those dried prepackaged cheap dates. The texture of the recipe will not be correct.
- You can use any type of soft cheese you’d like, but I prefer Brie or Camembert.
- You can make this recipe in a conventional oven, or use the air fryer!
Why this recipe works:
- The combination of sweet dates, creamy and nutty cheese, and crisp and salty bacon is the perfect mouthful.
Steps
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1
Done
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Carefully remove the pits from each date. Stuff the dates with a piece of cheese. |
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2
Done
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Carefully wrap the bacon around the dates. Use a toothpick to hold the bacon if you need to. You can also use 1/3 of a strip of uncooked bacon. |
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3
Done
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Preheat the broiler. Put the little dates on a broiler pan and broil 4 to 6" from the heat source, turning frequently, for 9 to 12 minutes for uncooked bacon and for 4 to 6 minutes for precooked bacon. |
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4
Done
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Remove the toothpicks, if you used them, and serve immediately. |
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5
Done
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Air fryer instructionsTo make this recipe in the air fryer, assemble as directed through step 2. Line the bottom of the air fryer with parchment paper. Preheat the air fryer to 390°F. |
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6
Done
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Place the appetizers in a single layer in the preheated air fryer. Air fry for 2 to 4 minutes for precooked bacon, or for 10 to 15 minutes for uncooked bacon. You will need to flip the appetizers made with uncooked bacon halfway through cooking time. You don't need to flip the appetizers made with precooked bacon. |
