If you love bacon but dread the mess and smell that comes with cooking it on the stove or in the oven, cooking bacon in an air fryer is a game-changer. It’s quick, easy, and produces perfectly crispy bacon every time without the grease splatters or lingering odors. Plus, it’s a healthier way to enjoy bacon since the excess fat drips away during cooking. Ready to learn how to cook bacon in an air fryer? Let’s dive in!
Why Cook Bacon in an Air Fryer?
– Less mess: The air fryer contains the bacon grease, so your kitchen stays cleaner.
– Faster cooking: Bacon cooks in about 8 to 12 minutes, depending on thickness and crispiness preference.
– Consistent results: Even cooking and perfect crispiness without flipping constantly.
– Healthier: Excess fat drips away from the bacon, reducing grease.
– No lingering smell: Your house won’t smell like bacon all day.
What You Need
– Bacon strips (regular or thick-cut)
– Air fryer
– Tongs
– Paper towels
Step-by-Step Guide to Cooking Bacon in Your Air Fryer
1. Prepare Your Air Fryer
Some air fryer models recommend preheating, but it’s optional for bacon. If you want, preheat your air fryer to about 375°F (190°C) for 3 minutes. This helps the bacon start cooking immediately and can improve crispiness.
2. Arrange the Bacon
Lay the bacon strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket. You can place them touching, but avoid overlapping too much to ensure even cooking. If your strips are too long, cut them in half to fit.
3. Cook the Bacon
Set the air fryer temperature to around 350°F to 380°F (175°C to 193°C). Cook for 8 to 12 minutes depending on how crispy you want your bacon and the thickness of the strips:
– Regular cut bacon: 7-9 minutes for crispy, 5-7 minutes for softer bacon.
– Thick cut bacon: 9-12 minutes for crispy, 7-9 minutes for softer bacon.
Flip the bacon halfway through cooking for even crisping. Some cooks recommend stirring the bacon once or twice during cooking if you place the strips in a slab rather than spaced out.
4. Drain and Serve
Once cooked to your liking, use tongs to transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to soak up excess grease. The bacon will crisp up further as it cools.
5. Clean Your Air Fryer
After cooking, let the air fryer cool slightly, then wipe out the grease with a paper towel. For a deeper clean, use a kitchen cleaner or dish soap to remove any stuck-on residue.
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Bacon
– Don’t overcrowd: Give each strip some space for air to circulate.
– Use water or bread at the bottom: Placing a little water or a slice of bread under the basket can catch grease and reduce smoke.
– Adjust time for thickness: Thicker bacon needs more time; thinner bacon cooks faster.
– Try flavor variations: Rub with paprika and brown sugar before cooking for a smoky-sweet twist.
– Cook in batches: If you’re making a lot, cook in batches to maintain crispiness.
Why You’ll Love Air Fryer Bacon
Air fryer bacon is hands-off, quick, and less messy than stovetop or oven methods. It produces crispy, delicious bacon without heating up your kitchen or leaving grease splatters everywhere. Plus, it’s easy to clean up, making it perfect for busy mornings or anytime you crave bacon.
Give it a try and you might never go back to traditional bacon cooking methods again!
Enjoy your perfectly crispy air fryer bacon!
Perfectly crispy bacon is just minutes away with your air fryer-easy, mess-free, and delicious every time!