Ah, bacon—the crispy, sizzling delight that has a special place in my heart and perhaps yours too. Recently, while watching a rerun of a cooking show from the early 2000s (remember those?), I was inspired to experiment with my trusty air fryer, and let me tell you, the results were nothing short of bacon perfection. It’s like a symphony of crunch and flavor, with each piece transforming into a golden, savory masterpiece—just irresistible!
Steps
- Lay the bacon strips flat in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don’t overlap. If necessary, cut the strips in half to fit more pieces in the basket.
- Set the air fryer to 350?F and cook regular cut bacon for 7 to 9 minutes, or until it is browned and reaches your desired level of crispiness. For thick-cut bacon, extend the cooking time to 10 to 12 minutes.
- Once cooked, move the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to soak up any excess grease. If you’re cooking in batches, empty the drip pan of oil before continuing with the next round.
Ingredients
- 5 slices of bacon (approximately 6 ounces regular bacon or 8-12 ounces thick-cut bacon)
Nutritional Values
Calories: 185 kcal | Carbs: 0.5 g | Protein: 15 g | Fat: 15 g | Saturated Fat: 5 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2.5 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5 g | Trans Fat: 0.05 g | Cholesterol: 40 mg | Sodium: 670 mg | Potassium: 200 mg | Vitamin A: 15 IU | Calcium: 5 mg | Iron: 0.5 mg
FAQ
- Do I need to preheat the air fryer before cooking bacon?
- Preheating is not necessary for cooking bacon in the air fryer. While some air fryers suggest preheating, you can skip this step for bacon to achieve excellent results.
- Can turkey bacon be cooked in the air fryer using this method?
- Absolutely! You can cook turkey bacon in the air fryer just like regular bacon. Keep in mind that turkey bacon is leaner and thinner, so you should reduce the cooking time to 5-7 minutes.
- Is it necessary to flip the bacon while cooking in the air fryer?
- Flipping is not required when cooking bacon in the air fryer. The circulating air ensures that the bacon becomes crispy on both sides without needing to turn it over.
- How can I prevent the air fryer from smoking when cooking bacon?
- To minimize smoking, air fry bacon at 350°F, well below the bacon fat smoke point of 400°F. Additionally, clean the drip pan between batches and consider placing a slice of bread beneath the basket to absorb excess grease and help reduce smoke.
- What are some creative ways to use cooked bacon?
- Cooked bacon can be used in various dishes such as sandwiches like BLTs or breakfast sandwiches, egg dishes like omelets or scrambled eggs, wraps, salads, or as a topping for soups like clam chowder or Zuppa Toscana.
Tips
- Arrange the bacon strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crispiness. Avoid overlapping for the best results.
- To prevent your air fryer from smoking, cook the bacon at 350?F. Additionally, place a thin slice of bread under the basket to absorb excess grease and make cleanup easier.
- There’s no need to flip the bacon midway through cooking because the air fryer circulates hot air evenly, ensuring both sides are crispy.
- If you’re using turkey bacon, remember it’s leaner and cooks faster. Reduce the cooking time and air fry for 5-7 minutes to achieve the desired crispiness.
Equipment
- Air Fryer
