Can You Put Bacon in an Air Fryer? (Secret to a Perfect Big Batch!)
Apr 04, 2024
Can you put bacon in an air fryer? YES! Here’s how to make a family batch of air fryer bacon that turns out crispy every time!
Table of Contents
- Crispy Air Fryer Bacon
- Why You’ll Love This Quick + Easy Air Fryer Bacon Recipe
- Perfect Bacon in An Air Fryer: Here’s What You Need
- How to Make Air Fryer Bacon: An Easy Guide
- How Long To Cook Bacon For In An Air Fryer
- Make Ahead and Storage
- How to Serve This Air Fryer Bacon Recipe
- 5 Common Mistakes When Making Air Fryer Bacon
- Final Notes, Pro Tips + Science-Based Secrets
- FAQs About Air Fryer Bacon
- Other Air Fryer Recipes You’ll Love
- Can You Put Bacon in an Air Fryer? (Secret to a Perfect Big Batch!) Recipe
Crispy Air Fryer Bacon
I love that bacon cooks in a matter of minutes in an air fryer without any of the greasy clean-up I get with a skillet or oven.
You’ll never need to cook bacon again any other way!
The only drawback with air fryer bacon tends to be that you can only do a few slices at once. I found a workaround for that with these pretty little rosettes, that allow you to evenly air fry bacon a pound at a time!
Here is how to make air fried bacon strips or rosettes that are perfectly crisp and delicious.
Why You’ll Love This Quick + Easy Air Fryer Bacon Recipe
Here is why you can put bacon in an air fryer and get knock-out results:
- Air fryers make crispy bacon through their circulation of hot air.
- This is a low-grease way to cook bacon. This is healthier as there is less oil to consume than bacon cooked through stove top or oven-cooking.
- Air fryers contain the splatter within the appliance, minimizing mess and cleanup. You don’t have to deal with splattering grease on your stovetop or countertops. What a win!
- I love the speed of cooking bacon in an air fryer – it’s just so convenient.
- Air fryers cook bacon more evenly due to consistent heat distribution within the air fryer. This helps prevent some pieces from being undercooked while others are overcooked.
New to Air frying? Start with Air Fryer 101: How to Choose and Use an Air Fryer.
Perfect Bacon in An Air Fryer: Here’s What You Need
Here are the basics you’ll need to make air fryer bacon:
Ingredients
Well this one’s a short list. Literally, all you’ll need is bacon!
If you’re making rosettes, you can get an entire pound packed into your air fryer.
For strips, prepare to cook 3-4 per batch.
If they are covering each other up they will be flabby and undercooked in spots and burnt in others.
Tools
Gather your tools; there aren’t many – it’ll take a second:
- Air fryer: Get it preheated and ready to go!
- Board: To prepare your bacon slices.
- Tongs: You’ll need a good pair of tongs to lift your bacon out with.
Variations and Substitutions
Can you switch pork bacon with other kinds of bacon in this recipe? Yup, try using turkey bacon or your favorite plant-based bacon.
You might need to change the cooking time with a vegan bacon – the package instructions will direct you.
How to Make Air Fryer Bacon: An Easy Guide
Here’s how to cook bacon in an air fryer:
For Bacon Roses
- Roll up. Roll up strips of bacon and place them into the air fryer basket. There should be a little space between each rosette.
- Cook. Air fry for 8 minutes at 350F. Flip them halfway through.
- Finish. Remove air fryer bacon carefully with tongs and keep it warm until ready to serve.
For Bacon Strips
- Prepare. Place 3-4 strips of bacon in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Make sure they don’t overlap.
- Cook. Air fry for a few minutes per side at 350F for about 8 minutes. Flip them halfway through.
How Long To Cook Bacon For In An Air Fryer
Since it’s so hard to take an internal temperature of such a thin piece of meat, the USDA states that bacon will be cooked safely when cooked crispy.
The cooking time varies depending on the cut or thickness of the bacon:
- Regular: Cook for 7-9 minutes, flipping halfway through until crisp.
- Thick-cut bacon: Cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through until crispy.
- Turkey bacon: Cook for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through (or until crisp).
Make Ahead and Storage
Here’s how to store cooked air fry bacon leftovers:
Refrigerator Storage:
- Place the cooled bacon slices in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag, separating layers with parchment paper or wax paper to prevent sticking.
- Store the bacon in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- To reheat, microwave the bacon for 20-30 seconds or until warmed through.
Freezer Storage:
If you want to store bacon for a longer period, you can freeze it for up to two months.
- Arrange the cooled bacon slices in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Place the baking sheet in the freezer until the bacon slices are frozen solid.
- Transfer the frozen bacon slices to a freezer-safe container or freezer bag, removing as much air as possible before sealing,
- To use frozen bacon, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator or defrost it in the microwave at a low power setting.
- Once thawed, reheat the bacon in the microwave, oven, or air fryer until warmed through and crispy.
How to Serve This Air Fryer Bacon Recipe
There are so many way to use this air fryer bacon:
- In a salad: I adore topping this strawberry + spinach salad with bacon roses.
- Hot breakfast: Check out my easy microwave boiled eggs as a partner to air fry bacon. OR for something more special, add crisp bacon to my Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole.
- Sandwiches: Cook slices of bacon and keep them in the fridge to top Juicy Ground Chicken Burgers, or make chunky a BLT on demand.
- Pasta topper: Chop up air fryer bacon slices and add them to pasta with my fav homemade mac and cheese sauce. Also delicious on Seafood Pasta with Cream Sauce.
- Elevate veggie dishes: Think Candied Brussels Sprouts, roasted with maple and bacon.
The list is endless; honestly, it’s worth making a few batches of bacon in the air fryer to use all week in different meals.
5 Common Mistakes When Making Air Fryer Bacon
Here’s what to watch out for – these are common stumbling points:
- Overcrowding the basket: Putting too much bacon in the air fryer basket can lead to uneven cooking and soggy results. To get the crispiness you want, leave enough space between the slices.
- Not preheating: Skipping the preheating step can result in the cooking process taking longer and soggy bacon.
- Not flipping the bacon: Flipping the bacon halfway through the cooking process ensures that both sides cook evenly and crisp up nicely.
- Using too high temperatures: Cooking bacon at too high a temperature can cause it to burn quickly.
- Leaving the bacon unattended: Avoid leaving the bacon unattended to prevent overcooking.
Final Notes, Pro Tips + Science-Based Secrets
Here’s what you need to know to get pro air fryer bacon:
- Use cold bacon: Starting with cold bacon helps prevent it from becoming too greasy or sticking together during cooking. It also allows the fat to render more evenly – the key to crispiness.
- Experiment with seasonings: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different seasonings or spices. Try black pepper, paprika, or garlic powder before cooking.
- Dry the bacon: Before popping it into the air fryer basket, dab the slices onto paper towel to get ultra-crisp bacon.
FAQs About Air Fryer Bacon
Just skimming through? No problem; here are some key takeaways:
Yes, you can use any type of bacon in an air fryer, including regular, thick-cut, or even turkey bacon. Thinner slices tend to cook more quickly and evenly in the air fryer.
Yes, I recommend preheating the air fryer before cooking bacon. This results in even cooking and a crispier texture.
Using parchment paper or a rack can help prevent bacon from sticking to the air fryer basket. You can also lightly grease the basket with cooking spray before adding the bacon.
The cooking time for bacon in an air fryer depends on factors such as bacon thickness and desired crispiness. On average, it takes about 8 minutes at 350°F (175°C), flipping halfway through.
Yes, you can cook bacon wrapped around other ingredients in an air fryer. Just ensure that the bacon is cooked through and crispy.
Air fryer bacon is done when it reaches your desired level of crispiness. The slices should be golden brown and crispy but not burnt.
It’s best not to overcrowd the air fryer basket when cooking bacon. Cook bacon in batches if necessary to ensure proper air circulation and even cooking.
Store leftover air fryer bacon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat it in the air fryer or microwave until warm before serving.
Air fryer bacon could be healthier compared to pan-frying because the fat drips away and collects at the bottom of the air fryer. This means it potentially has less fat. However, the nutritional content of bacon remains relatively the same regardless of the cooking method.
And in a swift pivot from the previous question. Yes, you can use the bacon grease collected in the air fryer for cooking or flavoring other dishes. Drain it out, strain it, and store it properly in a sealed container.
Other Air Fryer Recipes You’ll Love
Check out these other delicious and super easy air fryer recipes:
- Air Fryer Tuna Steak
- Air Fryer Frozen Salmon (Moist + Flaky!)
- The Juiciest Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs
- Crispy Air Fryer Eggplant
- Air Fryer Turkey Burgers
Can You Put Bacon in an Air Fryer? (Secret to a Perfect Big Batch!)
Ingredients
- 1 lb Bacon
Instructions
For bacon roses:
- Roll up strips of bacon and place them into the air fryer basket. Air fry for 8 minutes at 350F, flipping once halfway through, and voila! Beautiful, crispy, delicious rosettes.
For bacon strips:
- Place strips of bacon in the air fryer basket preheated to 350F. Cook in batches of 3-4 strips simultaneously, ensuring they don’t overlap.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Loved this method, thanks!