Apr 04, 2024
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:
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.
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.
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. 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).
How to Serve This Air Fryer Bacon Recipe
There are so many way to use this air fryer bacon: 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.
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.
Just skimming through? No problem; here are some key takeaways:
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
