Air Fryer Turkey Bacon: How Long To Fry?

Turkey bacon in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and healthier alternative to traditional frying methods. It's perfect for busy mornings and can be served with your favourite breakfast, sandwich, or snack recipes. The cooking time varies depending on the desired level of crispiness, but on average, it takes around 5-10 minutes to cook turkey bacon in an air fryer.

How to cook turkey bacon in an air fryer

Turkey bacon is a healthier alternative to traditional bacon, with fewer calories and less fat. It's also a lot less messy, as it doesn't create as much grease. Here's how to cook it in an air fryer:

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Set your air fryer to a temperature between 360°F and 400°F (about 180°C). It's recommended to preheat the air fryer for around 5 minutes.

Step 2: Prepare the Turkey Bacon

Place the turkey bacon slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure they don't overlap, as this will prevent even cooking. If you need to cook a lot of bacon, you may need to do this in batches.

You can also spray a little oil on your air frying rack and place the slices on the rack, letting them hang.

Step 3: Air Fry the Bacon

Air fry the bacon for 5 minutes, then open the air fryer and flip the bacon. Air fry for another 3-5 minutes, depending on how crispy you like your bacon. If you're going for extra crispy, you can add another 1-2 minutes.

Repeat this process until all your bacon is cooked.

Tips:

• To check if the bacon is fully cooked, look for a golden-brown colour and slight folds in the bacon.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. If the bacon slices overlap or stack, they won't cook evenly.
• If you want to add some extra crispness, spritz a little oil in the air fryer basket before adding the bacon.
• For extra flavour, try seasoning the bacon with black pepper or a sprinkle of chilli flakes.
• If you're cooking frozen turkey bacon, increase the cooking time by 2-3 minutes and check that it's cooked through.

Serving Suggestions:

• Turkey bacon is a great breakfast side dish, pairing well with pancakes, French toast, scrambled or fried eggs, and omelettes.
• Use it in a BLT sandwich, or wrap it around asparagus spears or chicken breast for a tasty twist.
• Chop it up and toss it into a salad for that perfect chewy texture and savoury flavour.
• It also works well in breakfast burritos, sandwiches, and soups.

Storage:

While turkey bacon is best enjoyed fresh, you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

To freeze cooked turkey bacon, place it in freezer-safe bags for up to a month. However, it will lose its crispness once thawed.

To reheat, pop the bacon back into the air fryer or microwave for a few minutes.

Tips for making air fryer turkey bacon

Choosing the right bacon

Turkey bacon should be thick-cut with minimal added fat and no fillers or thickeners. Uncured bacon is also preferable as it is free of sodium nitrates. Try Trader Joe's, Applegate, Oscar Mayer, Aldi, or Butterball brands.

Air fryer temperature and prep

Preheat your air fryer to between 360°F and 400°F (about 180°C). If you want, spritz some oil into the basket for maximum crispiness.

Cooking the bacon

Place the bacon in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring the slices do not overlap. Cook for 4-6 minutes, flipping the bacon halfway through. If you are cooking a large batch, you may need to cook the bacon in several batches to ensure even cooking.

Storing and reheating

Turkey bacon is best enjoyed fresh, but you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes to restore crispness.

How to store air fryer turkey bacon

Storing air fryer turkey bacon is simple. Once you've cooked your bacon, let any leftovers reach room temperature. Then, place them in an airtight container and store them in the fridge. Your bacon will stay fresh for up to 3 days. If you want to keep it for longer, you can freeze it in freezer bags for up to a month. However, it will lose its crispness once thawed.

To reheat your bacon, you can use the air fryer or a microwave.

It's worth noting that air fryer turkey bacon is best enjoyed fresh, straight out of the air fryer while it's still hot and crispy.

How do you know when turkey bacon is done?

Turkey bacon is done when it has reached your desired level of crispiness. Typically, this will take around 8-10 minutes in the air fryer, but this can vary depending on your air fryer model and your personal preference.

You'll know the turkey bacon is fully cooked when it's golden brown and slightly folded. The edges will be curled, and the bacon will have shrunk in size. It's important to keep in mind that everyone's definition of "done" when it comes to bacon is different. Some people like their bacon crispy, while others prefer it chewy. Knowing your preferred level of doneness will help you determine when your turkey bacon is ready.

If you're aiming for extra crispy bacon, you can add 1-2 minutes to the cooking time. It's also important not to overcrowd the air fryer basket, as this will prevent the bacon from cooking evenly. Cook the bacon in batches if necessary, and avoid overlapping the slices.

What temperature to cook turkey bacon in an air fryer?

The optimal temperature for cooking turkey bacon in an air fryer is between 360 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit (around 180 degrees Celsius). Preheating your air fryer is recommended for even cooking and to ensure your bacon crisps up nicely.

• Preheat your air fryer to between 360 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit (around 180 degrees Celsius).
• Place the turkey bacon slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Ensure the slices do not overlap, as this will prevent even cooking. If necessary, cook the bacon in multiple batches.
• Cook the bacon for 5 minutes, then flip each strip.
• Air fry for an additional 3-5 minutes, depending on your desired level of crispiness. For extra crispy bacon, add 1-2 minutes to the total cooking time.
• Repeat the process until all bacon pieces are cooked.
• Serve immediately. Turkey bacon is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Some recipes suggest a slightly lower temperature of 350 degrees Fahrenheit, but most agree that 360-400 degrees Fahrenheit is the ideal range. This temperature range will ensure your turkey bacon is crispy and tender without being overcooked or burnt.

It's important to keep in mind that cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer and the thickness of your bacon slices. Always keep an eye on your bacon to avoid overcooking, and adjust the cooking time as needed.

Frequently asked questions