Looking for an amazing Christmas party appetizer that everyone will love? Try these bacon wrapped figs cooked in an air fryer. Easy to make and totally delicious.
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If you’re looking for a stunning appetizer for your Christmas party this year, just go ahead and tag this bacon-wrapped figs recipe right now. These are out of control delicious and really only needs two ingredients. (Of course you can spice them up after cooking if you like!)
What kind of figs should I use?
This recipe works best with dried figs. Fresh figs are very juicy and tend to make a big mess when fried or exposed to very high heat. If you’re lucky enough to have fresh figs nearby, just snack on them raw!
Dried figs have the same fig flavor but, unlike fresh figs, are available all year round. After reconstitution, they don’t quite have the same juiciness as fresh figs, but they still work well in this recipe. My favorite is dried Turkish figs, but black missionary figs work too.
Why do I need to reconstitute the figs?
Dried figs are difficult to chew on their own, so I reconstitute them by soaking them in hot water before using them in this recipe. This makes them tender (but not quite as juicy or tender as a fresh fig) and perfect for frying in an air fryer!
When buying bacon for wrapping, I prefer standard-width bacon. When you buy thick-cut bacon, it becomes difficult to get it crispy and cooked through when you bake it. If the bacon strips are a bit wide, I cut them to 1/2″ – 3/4″ thickness so they wrap around nicely without heavily overlapping the figs.
If you have leftover bacon, use it as a base for a pasta carbonara!
How to make these without an air fryer
If you don’t have an air fryer, the broiler is the next best option. Sear the figs on high for about 3 minutes per side. It’ll get a little messier, but the results will still taste great.
Proposals and Substitutions
- fill it! Simply wrapping bacon around figs is delicious, but you can stuff the figs before air frying them as well. To do this, cut a small slit in each fig and spoon in some blue or goat cheese or stuff in something crunchy like half an almond. One of them – or both! – would be great.
- Can’t find dried figs? Appointments will work as substitutes.
- Serving suggestion! I like to serve these on a platter with a drizzle of honey. I also like to sprinkle sesame and/or chives on top, but that’s not necessary.
- Double it! This recipe is super easy to double. Just make sure you air fry them in batches to avoid overcrowding your air fryer.
Make-ahead tips for bacon-wrapped figs
You can make the bacon-wrapped figs ahead of time and air fry them. If you do, before serving, heat them in the air fryer for a few minutes until sizzling. You can also go halfway and prep the figs, wrap them, and store them in the fridge. Then just fry them up just before party time!
More party bites
- Baked Brie with honey and hazelnuts
- Cranberry Glazed Meatballs
- Goat Cheese Bacon Pops
- Classic stuffed mushrooms
- Simply baked brie in puff pastry
Bacon wrapped figs in air fryer
This recipe is easy to double or triple! Simply air fry in separate batches.
ingredients
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12 dried Turkish or Missionary figs
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6 strips of regular medium-cut bacon (not thick-cut)
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Goat cheese or blue cheese for filling, optional
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Salted, toasted almonds for filling, optional
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honey, for serving
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Non-stick spray, for air fryers
method
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Reconstitute the figs:
Place the dried figs in a bowl filled with steaming hot water. Let sit for 20 minutes to reconstitute. Drain the figs and cut off the stems. Cut a small slit in each fig and spoon in some blue or goat cheese or half an almond if desired. You can also make a mix of fillings.
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Wrap the bacon around the figs:
Cut the bacon strips in half and trim to about 1/2 to 3/4 inch wide. Wrap a strip of bacon around each fig. Fix with a toothpick.
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Air roast figs:
Spray the basket of your hot air fryer with non-stick spray. Add bacon-wrapped figs in a single layer so they don’t touch. Air fry the figs at 350 ̊F for 8-9 minutes, turning once halfway through.
If you don’t have an air fryer, grill the figs on high for about 3 minutes per side.
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Serve figs:
When the figs have cooled slightly, serve drizzled with honey.
Leftover figs (yes, that’s right!) will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in a 350 ̊F oven or reheat in air fryer for a few minutes before eating.
