Air-Fryer Bacon: How Long Does It Take?

Cooking bacon in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and convenient way to get crispy bacon without the mess. The air fryer method is much easier than cooking bacon on a stovetop or in an oven because it's quick, less messy, and there's no need to pre-heat the oven. The cooking time depends on the thickness of the bacon and how crispy you want it to be. For example, thin-cut bacon should be air-fried for 5 to 9 minutes, whereas thick-cut bacon should be cooked for 10 to 12 minutes.

How long to cook regular vs. thick-cut bacon

The amount of time it takes to cook bacon in an air fryer depends on the type of bacon and your desired level of crispiness.

Regular-Cut Bacon

For softer bacon, air fry at 350˚F for 7 minutes. For crispy bacon, air fry for 8 to 9 minutes. If you prefer your bacon to be on the crispier side, you can air fry it for up to 9 minutes.

Thick-Cut Bacon

Thick-cut bacon will take a little longer. For softer thick-cut bacon, air fry at 350˚F for 9-10 minutes. For crispy thick-cut bacon, air fry for 10-12 minutes.

Tips for Optimal Cooking

• Cut bacon strips in half to ensure even cooking and to fit more in the air fryer.
• Use tongs to handle the bacon and rearrange halfway through if needed.
• Blot the cooked bacon with a paper towel to remove excess grease.
• If cooking multiple batches, be sure to empty the grease from the drip pan before starting a new batch.
• To prevent smoking, do not exceed a temperature of 350˚F and ensure the drip pan is free of grease.

Serving Suggestions

Air fryer bacon goes well with a variety of dishes, including:

• Salads, such as a BLT Chopped Salad
• Sandwiches, like the classic BLT
• Pasta
• Pizza
• Eggs, such as egg muffins or a French omelette
• Baked potatoes
• Soups
• Breakfast dishes like banana oatmeal pancakes or an oven pancake

How to prevent smoking

To prevent bacon from smoking in the air fryer, you should cook it at 350˚F to avoid any smokiness. The smoke point of bacon fat is 400˚F, so cooking it at a lower temperature will prevent it from smoking.

There are a few other methods you can use to prevent smoking:

Keep your air fryer clean

This is the simplest solution. A dirty fryer is more likely to smoke, so it's a good idea to clean it after every use, especially if you've cooked something greasy.

Use slices of bread to catch grease

Place some bread at the bottom of your fryer to soak up the dripping grease. The grease will be absorbed by the bread, preventing it from bubbling up and smoking. This trick works for a variety of greasy foods, including bacon, burgers, and fried chicken.

Use water to diffuse grease drips

For basket-style fryers, adding a tablespoon or two of water to the outer basket can help prevent smoking. This method works by diffusing the dripping grease and preventing it from burning. However, be cautious as too much water can create a steaming effect, resulting in mushy food.

Use parchment paper

Line your air fryer basket with parchment paper, specifically the type with holes in it to allow for air circulation. This will help catch the grease and prevent smoking.

Use rock salt

Place rock salt, the kind used to make ice cream, at the bottom of your fryer to soak up the grease.

How to store and reheat

Storing and reheating bacon are essential steps to preserving its taste and texture. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you do it right.

Short-Term Storage:

If you need to keep your bacon warm and crispy for a few hours, the oven is your best friend. Set your oven to 200°F and place a baking rack in the centre. Lay the cooked bacon strips on a baking sheet and put them in the oven. This method helps prevent sogginess by keeping the bacon warm and crunchy until it's time to serve.

Alternatively, if you don't want to use the oven, avoid covering the warm bacon with an airtight lid or container. Instead, opt for a breathable towel to prevent trapping moisture, which can make the bacon soft.

Medium-Term Storage:

For storing bacon for a few days, refrigeration is the way to go. Allow the cooked bacon to cool down to room temperature to limit condensation. Then, place the bacon in an airtight bag, removing as much air as possible before sealing and refrigerating. This method will keep your bacon fresh for up to five days. However, it may start to dry out after three to four days. To prolong its freshness, consider using a sandwich bag and sucking out the air to reduce air exposure.

Long-Term Storage:

For long-term storage, the freezer is your best bet. As with refrigeration, allow the bacon to cool down before sealing it in an airtight bag specifically designed for freezer storage. When properly sealed, frozen cooked bacon can stay fresh for about a month.

Reheating Bacon:

If you're reheating frozen bacon, start by defrosting it. You can do this by moving the bag to the refrigerator for at least eight hours or using the defrost setting on your microwave.

Once defrosted, you have several reheating options to choose from:

• Oven: Preheat your oven or toaster oven to 400°F. Place the bacon in a single layer on a baking sheet and cook for about five minutes, or until you hear the bacon start to sizzle.
• Stovetop: Turn your burner to medium-high heat and heat a frying pan. Place the bacon in a single layer on the pan and cook for a few minutes until crispy.
• Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 350°F and cook the bacon for three to four minutes.
• Microwave: Place the bacon on a microwave-safe plate and cook for 30 seconds to one minute on medium power. Check the bacon, and repeat if necessary. For added crispness, place the bacon on a paper towel to absorb excess grease.

Tips for Optimal Results:

• When cooking bacon in preparation for later use, cook it one level below your desired crispness. This ensures that the bacon doesn't dry out when reheated and achieves the perfect crispness.
• If you're reheating a large portion, the oven or toaster oven is a good option.
• For a super crispy texture, use a wire rack on your baking sheet to allow excess fat to drip off.
• Avoid reheating bacon in the microwave if you're aiming for crispness, as it tends to make the bacon rubbery.

Serving suggestions

Now that you've cooked your bacon in the air fryer, what can you do with it?

Well, the world is your oyster! Bacon is a versatile food that can be used in a variety of dishes. You can crumble it on top of salads, veggies, baked potatoes, or Cobb Salad. Throw a slice onto burgers, tacos, BLTs, or sandwiches. Or serve a few pieces alongside fried eggs, omelettes, or corned beef hash.

If you're feeling creative, try making air fryer bacon-wrapped dates, hot bean and bacon dip with air fryer tortilla chips, air fryer bacon-chorizo tater tots, or air fryer ranch pork chops.

And if you're looking for a sweet and savoury combo, why not try adding bacon to your banana bread or meatloaf?

The possibilities are endless! So get creative and enjoy your perfectly cooked air fryer bacon.

Air fryer model and temperature considerations

The air fryer model you use will influence the cooking time and temperature for your bacon. Basket-style air fryers, like the 5.8 Qt Cosori Air Fryer, are great for small families and easy cleanup, while toaster oven-style air fryers are better for bigger batches and larger families.

The thickness of your bacon will also impact cooking time. Regular cut bacon will cook faster than thick-cut bacon. For example, in a basket-style air fryer, regular bacon will cook in 7-9 minutes for crispy bacon, while thick-cut bacon will take 10-12 minutes. In a toaster oven-style air fryer, the same bacon will cook in 8 and 9 minutes, respectively.

The ideal temperature for cooking bacon in an air fryer is between 350°F and 390°F. Cooking at a higher temperature may lead to burnt bacon. Some recipes suggest cooking at 400°F for 10 minutes, but this may be too high for some air fryers, and you should check your bacon regularly to prevent burning.

Additionally, some air fryers may require preheating, while others do not. It is important to consult your air fryer's instructions to determine the optimal cooking time, temperature, and preheating requirements for your model.

Finally, to prevent smoking, ensure your air fryer is clean, and consider draining the drip pan of any excess oil between batches. You can also add a cup of water to the lower pan, place a slice of bread in the air fryer to absorb grease, or use parchment paper designed for air frying to line your basket.

Frequently asked questions