Air Fryer Bacon: Instant Pot's Magic

Cooking bacon in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare smaller amounts of bacon. It is also less messy than frying bacon on a stovetop and quicker than baking it in an oven. The cooking time depends on the thickness of the bacon, but it usually takes around 5-10 minutes to get crispy bacon. You can also cook frozen bacon in the air fryer. To cook bacon in an air fryer, you need to preheat the air fryer, place the bacon strips in a single layer on the trays or basket, set the temperature to around 375°F-400°F, and cook for about 5-10 minutes.

Instant Pot Air Fryer Bacon is quick and easy

If you're looking for a quick and easy way to cook bacon, look no further than the Instant Pot Air Fryer. With this handy appliance, you can have crispy, delicious bacon ready in just a few minutes, making it the perfect addition to any breakfast spread or a savoury topping for salads, sandwiches, or hamburgers.

Getting Started

First, gather your ingredients. The beauty of cooking bacon in an Instant Pot Air Fryer is that you only need one simple ingredient: your favourite brand of bacon! Choose from flavoured bacon, thick-cut bacon, or even turkey bacon—the options are endless.

Before you begin, ensure that your air fryer basket is clean and free of any leftover food particles or crumbs, as these can cause the air fryer to smoke. You may also want to preheat your air fryer, as this helps the bacon cook more evenly and promotes crispiness. However, this step is not mandatory, and you can choose to put the bacon right into the air fryer and simply set the timer for two minutes longer.

Cooking the Bacon

Now it's time to cook the bacon! Place the air fryer basket into the Instant Pot and lay your bacon strips inside, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overlapping. This arrangement allows for even cooking and crispiness. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cut the bacon strips in half to ensure they fit properly.

Once the bacon is in the air fryer, close the lid and set the temperature and timer. The recommended temperature for cooking bacon is typically around 375°F to 400°F, and the cooking time is usually between 5 to 10 minutes, depending on your desired level of crispiness. If using the sauté function, cook the bacon for about 4 minutes on each side, and if using the air fryer function, cook for about 7 minutes, flipping the bacon halfway through.

Tips for Success

To minimize splattering and smoke, you can add a small amount of water to the inner pot before placing the air fryer basket. This is especially helpful when using the sauté function, as the water will heat up and evaporate before the bacon fries in its own fat. Additionally, try to avoid overcrowding the pot, as this can prevent the bacon from crisping up properly.

And that's it! With these simple steps, you can enjoy perfectly crispy and delicious Instant Pot Air Fryer bacon in no time. So, whether you're whipping up a hearty breakfast or adding a savoury touch to your meals, give this quick and easy cooking method a try.

Crispy bacon in less than 10 minutes

If you're craving crispy bacon but don't want to deal with the mess and splatter of stovetop cooking or the lengthy bake time of an oven, then the Instant Pot Air Fryer is your best bet. With this handy appliance, you can have perfectly crispy bacon on your plate in less than 10 minutes.

Step-by-Step Guide:

• Prepare the Air Fryer Basket: Place the Air Fryer basket into the Instant Pot. If you don't have an Air Fryer lid, you can add the bacon directly into the Instant Pot.
• Preheat the Air Fryer (Optional): Preheating the air fryer is not mandatory, but it helps the bacon cook more evenly. If you choose to preheat, set the temperature to around 375°F to 400°F.
• Add Bacon: While the air fryer preheats, take out your bacon strips. For best results, use center-cut bacon as it fits better and has less fat. You can use your favorite brand of bacon, whether it's flavored, thick-cut, or regular. Just ensure you don't overcrowd the basket or pot, and lay the bacon strips in a single layer to allow even cooking and crispiness. You may need to cut the bacon strips in half to make them fit without overlapping.
• Set Temperature and Timer: If using an Air Fryer lid, set the temperature to 395°F and the timer for 5 minutes. If using the Instant Pot's sauté function, set it to low and cook for about 4 minutes on each side, or 2 minutes per side without the lid.
• Cook the Bacon: Close the lid and let the air fryer work its magic. Depending on your desired level of crispiness, you may need to cook for a few minutes longer or flip the bacon halfway through.
• Serve: Once the bacon is cooked to your liking, carefully remove it from the air fryer and serve. Place the bacon on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess grease.

Tips for Crispy Bacon:

• Avoid overcrowding the pot or basket to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
• Cut the bacon strips in half if they are too long to fit in a single layer without overlapping.
• Adjust the cooking time based on the thickness of the bacon. Thicker bacon may require a couple of extra minutes.
• If you're cooking a large batch, drain the excess fat between batches.
• If you experience smoking or splattering, add a small amount of water to the pot before placing the air fryer basket or adding the bacon.

With these simple steps, you can enjoy crispy, mouth-watering bacon in no time, making it the perfect addition to your breakfast, BLT sandwich, or salad topping!

No mess and splatter

One of the main benefits of using an air fryer to cook bacon is that it's mess-free. Unlike cooking bacon on a stovetop, there's no splatter to clean up afterwards. This means that clean-up is a breeze. You can even put the air fryer basket in the dishwasher for even faster clean-up.

The mess-free aspect of air-fried bacon is due to the fact that the fat drips down to the bottom of the tray. This means that your bacon isn't fatty, but it also means that you can collect the fat and save it for future use. If you want to catch the drippings, you can put a slice of bread or some aluminium foil at the bottom of the basket.

Air fryers are also great for cooking bacon because they're quick, easy, and produce evenly cooked, crispy bacon. You can cook a small amount of bacon in less than 10 minutes. There's also no risk of burning the meat, which can happen with other cooking methods.

If you're tired of the splatter and mess of cooking bacon on the stovetop, then an air fryer is a great alternative.

How to avoid smoke in the air fryer

Yes, you can cook bacon in an Instant Pot air fryer. It is a quick and easy way to cook smaller amounts of bacon, resulting in crispy bacon in less than 10 minutes. However, cooking bacon in an air fryer can sometimes lead to smoke. Here are some tips to avoid that:

Firstly, ensure your air fryer is clean before each use. Leftover grease, oil, or crumbs from previous cooking sessions can cause smoke. It is important to wipe the air fryer basket clean and remove any excess grease. You can also put a couple of slices of bread at the bottom of the inner pot to catch the grease.

Secondly, avoid overcrowding the basket. Leave space between food items to allow hot air to circulate efficiently. This will also ensure even cooking and prevent burning, which is a common cause of smoke.

Additionally, be mindful of the type of food you are cooking. Fatty foods like bacon tend to produce more smoke. To prevent this, you can add a couple of teaspoons of water to the air fryer basket. The hot grease will fall into the water and prevent smoking. You can also lower the temperature setting to avoid smoke.

Finally, ensure your kitchen is well-ventilated. Keep the air fryer in a well-ventilated area, away from tight spaces. Turn on the vent hood to direct the smoke away from your kitchen into the exhaust system.

Instant Pot Duo Crisp for bacon

The Instant Pot Duo Crisp is a great appliance for cooking bacon. It is a quick and easy way to cook smaller amounts of bacon, and the results are crispy bacon in less than 10 minutes with none of the mess and splatter of stovetop cooking. The Instant Pot Duo Crisp is also versatile, allowing you to cook bacon to your desired level of crispness and use different types of bacon, such as turkey bacon or plant-based alternatives.

To cook bacon in the Instant Pot Duo Crisp, you can use the air fryer function. First, preheat the air fryer basket to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 2 minutes. Then, place the bacon in the basket, ensuring minimal overlap. If the bacon slices do not fit easily, cut them in half. Air fry the bacon for 6 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Check on the bacon regularly to ensure it is not burning or overcooking. Once it is golden and crispy, transfer the bacon to a platter using silicone tongs.

You can also cook bacon in the Instant Pot Duo Crisp using the sauté function. This method does not require high pressure or a slow or quick release. Simply cook the bacon in the bottom of the pot until it reaches your desired level of doneness. You can flip the bacon halfway through cooking, but it is not necessary. Drain the excess grease between batches.

The Instant Pot Duo Crisp is a convenient option for cooking bacon, as it requires minimal cleanup. The bacon smell stays in the pot, and there is no splatter to clean up. You can also cook other breakfast items in the Instant Pot Duo Crisp, such as eggs and toast, making it a versatile appliance for a quick and easy breakfast.

Frequently asked questions