Air Fryer Bacon: Can You Do It?

Cooking bacon in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and mess-free way to prepare this popular breakfast food. Air fryers are known for their excellent circulation, which cooks food quickly and efficiently, making them ideal for many dishes, including bacon. Using an air fryer to cook bacon is perfect when you only need a few slices, as it requires minimal cleanup and hands-off cooking. This method also eliminates the need to preheat your oven, making it faster and more convenient than traditional oven baking.

Air fryer bacon is less messy than cooking on a stovetop

Cooking bacon in an air fryer is a lot less messy than cooking it on a stovetop. When cooking bacon on a stovetop, the grease splatters all over the stove. In contrast, air fryers collect the grease underneath the basket in a drawer, which can then be discarded by simply tipping the drawer. This makes the clean-up process much easier and quicker, and you don't have to worry about the mess or the smell of bacon lingering in your kitchen.

The air fryer method is also less messy than stovetop cooking because there is no need to pre-heat the oven. You can simply place the bacon in the air fryer and set it for 10 minutes or less to get the perfect crispy bacon. This makes the whole process of cooking bacon faster and more convenient.

Air fryers are also highly efficient as they can heat food from room temperature to over 300 degrees Fahrenheit in less than three minutes. This significantly reduces the cooking time, which is another advantage of using an air fryer over a stovetop.

While some people prefer cooking bacon in the oven to avoid the mess of stovetop cooking, air fryers are still a better option than the oven method. This is because, with the oven method, you have to deal with a layer of hot grease on a thin cookie sheet, which can be quite nerve-wracking.

Overall, if you're looking for a quick, easy, and less messy way to cook bacon, an air fryer is a great option. It will leave your kitchen grease-splatter-free and smelling delicious!

It's quicker than cooking in an oven

Cooking bacon in an air fryer is much quicker than using an oven. The air fryer's excellent circulation cooks food incredibly fast and efficiently, making it ideal for when you need a few slices of bacon in a hurry.

Air fryers cook bacon in around 10 minutes, with some recipes suggesting 7-9 minutes for regular bacon and 10-12 minutes for thick-cut bacon. In contrast, cooking bacon in an oven can take much longer, especially if you are cooking for a large group.

The air fryer's ability to circulate hot air efficiently means it can cook at a lower temperature than a conventional oven. Air fryers typically cook bacon at around 350°F (175°C), while ovens tend to cook at 375°F to 425°F (190°C to 220°C). This lower temperature in the air fryer helps to cook the bacon evenly and prevents excess splatter, reducing the risk of smoking.

The quick cooking time in an air fryer means you can have a bacon sandwich or add bacon to a dish in just a few minutes. It's a speedy, zero-fuss method that produces perfectly crispy bacon with minimal mess.

So, if you're short on time and want a quick, easy, and mess-free way to cook bacon, the air fryer is a great option.

You can cook any type of bacon in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook any type of bacon in an air fryer, and it's a great way to get crispy bacon with minimal mess. The air fryer method is quicker and less messy than stovetop or oven cooking, and there's no need to pre-heat the oven. You can make an epic BLT in half the time!

To cook bacon in an air fryer, place the bacon strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket. It's fine if the bacon touches as it will shrink as it cooks, but don't let the strips overlap or lie on top of each other. You can cut the bacon strips in half if needed to fit more in the basket.

Air fry regular cut bacon at 350˚F for 7-9 minutes, or until the bacon is browned and reaches your desired level of crispiness. Thin-cut bacon will cook faster, so check it after 5-6 minutes. Thick-cut bacon will take longer, around 10-12 minutes. If you like your bacon very crispy, you can cook it for up to 14-15 minutes.

Once the bacon is cooked to your liking, transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate to soak up the excess grease and serve. If you are cooking bacon in batches, be sure to discard any oil in the drip pan before repeating the process.

Cooking bacon in an air fryer is a great way to get perfect, crispy bacon with minimal mess and fuss. It's a quick and easy method that delivers tasty results every time.

It's easy to clean up after cooking

Cooking bacon in an air fryer is not only easy and quick, but it is also less messy compared to cooking on a stovetop or in an oven. The grease collects underneath the basket in the drawer, so there are no grease splatters in the kitchen. This makes it easy to discard the grease—you can simply tip the drawer to pour it out.

To make cleaning even easier, you can place old bread or aluminium foil at the bottom of the air fryer to soak up the grease. You can also wipe down the interior of the air fryer with a paper towel or cloth while it is still warm to prevent the grease from hardening and sticking to the surface.

If you are looking to dispose of the grease, you can pour it into a plastic bag and throw it in the trash. You can also use paper napkins and towels to soak up the grease before tossing them in the trash. It is not recommended to pour grease down the sink as it can cause clogs, but if you do, you can use liquid dish soap to break it down first.

To clean your air fryer after cooking bacon, first, unplug the air fryer and let it cool down. Then, remove the basket and use a paper towel or soft-bristled brush to remove any excess grease and food particles. Soak the basket, tray, and any other detachable parts in hot water mixed with dish soap for about 10 to 15 minutes. If there is any remaining grease, you can burn it off by heating the air fryer at its highest setting for about five minutes.

It's a speedy, zero-fuss way to cook bacon

You can cook any type of bacon in the air fryer, but thicker bacon will take longer to cook than thinner bacon. For thin-cut bacon, check the bacon after 5-6 minutes, as it will cook faster. For regular cut bacon, air fry at 350˚F for 7-9 minutes, or until browned and crisp. For thick-cut bacon, air fry at 350˚F for 10-12 minutes. You can also cook pre-cooked microwave bacon in the air fryer; simply heat it for 1-2 minutes.

To cook bacon in the air fryer, place the bacon strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket, with some overlap if necessary. The bacon will shrink as it cooks, so you can spread it out into a single layer once you flip it. You can also cut the bacon strips in half to ensure they form a single layer. Air fry at 350°F (175ºC) for 8 to 10 minutes for tender-crisp bacon, and 10 to 12 minutes for shattering-crisp bacon. Flip the bacon halfway through to prevent it from curling.

Once the bacon is cooked to your liking, transfer it to a plate lined with paper towels to soak up the excess grease, and serve.

Frequently asked questions