How To Cook Bacon In An Air Fryer
Cooking bacon in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to enjoy crispy, delicious bacon with minimal cleanup. If you’re tired of standing over a hot stove or cleaning up splatters in your oven, an air fryer is a game-changer.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to cook bacon in an air fryer:
- Preheat your air fryer. Most air fryers have a “bacon” setting, so you can use that if your model has it. If not, preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
- Prep your bacon. You can use regular or thick-cut bacon for this recipe. If you’re using regular-cut bacon, you’ll need to gently stretch it out so it fits in the air fryer basket without overlapping. If you’re using thick-cut bacon, you may need to cut it in half to fit.
- Arrange the bacon in the air fryer basket. Be sure to leave some space between the slices so the hot air can circulate and cook the bacon evenly. If you’re using regular-cut bacon, you may be able to fit up to 8 slices in the basket. For thick-cut bacon, you’ll probably only be able to fit 4-6 slices.
- Cook the bacon. If your air fryer has a “bacon” setting, use it and follow the manufacturer’s recommended cooking time. If not, cook the bacon for 8-10 minutes, or until it reaches your desired level of crispiness. Keep an eye on the bacon as it cooks, as cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer and the thickness of your bacon.
- Remove the bacon from the air fryer. Use tongs or a fork to remove the hot bacon from the air fryer basket carefully. Be sure to let it cool for a few minutes before serving, as it will be very hot and crispy when it comes out of the air fryer.
- Serve and enjoy!
You can serve the bacon as is, or use it to add a crispy, salty element to your favourite dishes.
Some ideas for using air fryer bacon include:
- Wrapping it around dates or asparagus and baking for a tasty appetizer
- Crumbling it over a salad for a crispy, bacony crunch
- Adding it to sandwiches, burgers, or wraps for a tasty protein boost
- Using it to make bacon-wrapped shrimp or chicken
- Mixing it into scrambled eggs or frittatas
Tips and tricks for making perfect air fryer bacon:
- Use good-quality bacon for the best results. Higher-fat bacon will yield crispier, more flavorful results, but you can use leaner bacon if you prefer.
- Be sure to preheat your air fryer before cooking the bacon. This will help the bacon cook evenly and get nice and crispy.
- If you’re using regular-cut bacon, be sure to stretch it out before cooking gently. This will help it fit in the air fryer basket without overlapping, which can cause uneven cooking.
- Keep an eye on the bacon as it cooks, as cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer and the thickness of your bacon. You may need to adjust the cooking time slightly to get the perfect level of crispiness.
- If you’re cooking a large batch of bacon, you may need to work in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket.
- To make clean-up a breeze, line the air fryer basket with parchment paper or aluminium foil before adding the bacon. This will help prevent the bacon from sticking
Interested in more Air Fryer-related topics?
Why not visit our full air fryer or click on the latest air fryer articles below?
