Air Fryer Bacon
I have to admit that Air Fryer Bacon is my new obsession. If you’re a bacon lover looking for a healthier alternative to traditional frying methods, then look no further than the air fryer.
There really is nothing better than the smell of bacon cooking first thing in the morning. Bacon is simply delicious and is something I love serving to my family and indulging in on weekends.
Air fryer bacon is quickly gaining popularity as a guilt-free and delicious way to enjoy this crispy and savory treat. With its ability to mimic the results of deep frying without the need for excessive oil, the air fryer offers an innovative cooking technique that produces perfectly cooked bacon every time.
The one thing I do not love is the clean up or the mess from grease splattering on my stove top. Enter the mighty air fryer to make your bacon dreams come true and to make clean up a breeze.
We will explore the many benefits of cooking bacon in an air fryer, along with some helpful tips and tricks to achieve that irresistible crunchiness while reducing unnecessary fat intake. Get ready to revolutionize your breakfast routine with air fryer bacon!
What is an Air Fryer and where you can get one
An air fryer is a miniature convection oven. These types of ovens circulate heat and help to cook food items more evenly and quickly. It is possible to find air fryers in different sizes and shapes, I prefer to use a larger counter top version.
I purchased the Air Fryer From Instapot. I really like the size and the controls on the Instapot version. It is big enough to cook 5 pieces of bacon cut in half.
This air fryer fits easily on my counter without be obstructive or taking over my space. And it is large enough for me to cook a small pizza in it.
If you are a minimalist like me and you want to eliminate as much clean up as possible then I highly recommend checking out these air fryer disposable paper liners.
They are fantastic for cooking on and come in very handy when you are in a hurry and don’t want to have to clean up after cooking.
These paper liners also come in very handy when cooking chicken or other dishes in the air fryer.
Air Fryer Vs Stove Top: Which is better
- I can honestly say that I was skeptical of the whole air fryer craze. It seemed excessive to have yet another appliance. But family and friends raved about how much better food tastes. And after giving an air fryer a try I have to admit that they were right. So here are my top reasons for using an air fryer over a stove top.
- Air Fryer Bacon is more evenly cooked. There is no constant turning of the bacon in a pan or trying to ensure that all areas are properly cooked. The air fryer does that for you.
- Cooking is a breeze. You literally set the timer, put the food into it and walk away. I like to use this time to get other portions of our breakfast put together.
- Cleanup is so simple and easy. After cooking is complete all I have to do is clean out the base of the air fryer and I am done. There are no extra pans to clean, and no grease splatters on my stove top.
- This is a healthier way to cook. While cooking in an air fryer the grease slips through the grate and collects on the bottom. While I would not categorize bacon as a healthy food, I think we can all agree that cooking it in less grease is a healthier way to go.
- My last top reason is probably the best one. Air fryer bacon just tastes better. I am not even joking on this one. It is seriously the best bacon that I have ever tasted, and that is saying something. Now that I have tasted bacon cooked in the air fryer I do not think that I could ever go back to cooking in the pan.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can you fry bacon in the air fryer?
Why yes, yes you can fry bacon in the air fryer. In truth you can cook almost anything in the air fryer.
The main concern that I had about cooking bacon in the air fryer is that it would not have that crispy fried taste to it. Honestly the bacon is even more crispy and flavorful when it is made this way.
How long do you cook bacon in an air fryer?
I like to cook my bacon for 8-10 minutes in the air fryer. I start to look at it every minute after the 8 minute mark.
If you do not like your bacon very crispy then taking it out at 8 minutes is best. If you are like me and prefer your bacon to be crispy then leave it in for the full 10 minutes.
Can you put raw bacon in an air fryer?
You can absolutely put raw bacon in an air fryer. In fact you are supposed to.
I always take my bacon straight from the refrigerator and place it raw into the air fryer basket. Keep in mind that this is a small countertop convection oven and it is meant to cook food.
What temperature do you air fry bacon at?
Air frying has become increasingly popular as a healthier alternative to traditional frying methods. If you’re a bacon lover, you might be wondering what temperature is best for air frying this delicious breakfast staple. Here are a few tips on how to cook your bacon perfectly in the air fryer.
- Recommended Temperature Range:
For most air fryers, setting the temperature between 375°F (190°C) and 400°F (205°C) works well for cooking bacon. This range allows the fat to render out slowly while ensuring the bacon becomes crispy without burning. - Adjusting Time Based on Thickness:
The cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of your bacon slices. Thicker bacon may require a slightly higher temperature or longer cooking time to reach your desired level of crispiness. Conversely, thinner cuts of bacon might need less time at a lower temperature. - Preheating Your Air Fryer:
Preheating your air fryer before adding the bacon can help ensure even cooking throughout. Letting it preheat for about 3-5 minutes will give you more consistent results. - Using Parchment Paper or Foil:
To prevent any potential mess in your air fryer basket, consider lining it with parchment paper or aluminum foil before placing the bacon strips on top. This will make cleanup easier and also prevent any grease from falling through the gaps in the basket.
Tips and Tricks
- If you are a fan of thick cut bacon you may need to cook your bacon longer
- When I want to get fancy I will twist my bacon to give it a unique look.
- When I want to make bacon bits to add to salads or soups I will chop up the bacon and then place the chopped pieces into the air fryer. They come out as perfect bacon bits.
- To keep the air fryer from smoking while cooking bacon I empty the bacon grease between cooking each batch of bacon.
- I always use tongs to turn my bacon or remove it from the air fryer. This helps to protect me from being burned.
- When I want to get creative and add some extra flavor I will add some maple syrup and brown sugar, or ground black pepper to my bacon. I have never tried barbecue sauce but it is on my list of seasonings to try.
What can I pair with this recipe
- Try this with my Keto Quiche Recipe or my Egg Bites Recipe
- If you are sticking to a lower carb or keto diet then try my Keto Pancakes.
- Add it as a garnish or topping to soups and salads to get that extra crunch.
- Use in breakfast sandwiches or in a turkey club sandwhich.
- Add as a side to your next breakfast along with scrambled eggs and waffles.
Can this recipe be made ahead of time?
I am a huge food prepper of my meals for the week. I typically spend a few hours on Sundays cooking meals for the week and this recipe is definitely a part of that.
Just simply place the leftovers into a ziploc freezer bag, and place it into the refrigerator to pull out and reheat throughout the week. Once cooked the bacon will last for 3 days in the refrigerator and up to 3 months in the freezer.
Air Fryer Bacon
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 Pound Bacon
- 1 Non-Stick cooking spray to coat the air fryer basket prior to cooking.
Instructions
- Remove bacon that has been in the refrigerator from its package.
- I prefer to cut my bacon in half to help it fit better into the air fryer and to make it into more manageable pieces.
- Open your air fryer and place bacon in a single layer into the air fryer basket.
- Close the air fryer and set the temperature to 375 °F
- Set the timer for 8 minutes. Turn the bacon half way when you get to 4 minutes. Then close the air fryer and continue to cook. For crispy bacon I go a full 10 minutes.
- Remove the bacon from the air fryer when it is at your desired crispiness and place onto a paper towel.
- *If you want to cook more bacon drain off the bacon fat from the air fryer prior to adding more bacon to cook. Then repeat the above process.
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