Air Fryer Bacon: The Perfect 400-Degree, Crispy Treat

Cooking bacon in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get crispy bacon. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200-204°C) and place the bacon slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Depending on how crispy you like your bacon, it should take between 7-10 minutes to cook.

Preheat the air fryer to 400 °F (200 °C) for 5 minutes

Some recipes suggest that you grease the inside of the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray before adding the bacon. You should then air fry the bacon for 7-9 minutes, or 10 minutes if you like it extra crispy. If you prefer softer bacon, you can cook it for one minute less.

You can check the bacon halfway through to see if anything needs to be rearranged. Tongs are helpful for this. Bacon shrinks down quite a bit when cooking, so you can fit in as much bacon as you can in one layer.

Lay the bacon slices in one layer in the air fryer basket

When cooking bacon in an air fryer at 400°F, it's important to lay the bacon slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. This ensures even cooking and prevents overcrowding. The edges of the bacon slices can touch, as they will shrink down significantly during cooking. Try to fit as much bacon as possible in a single layer.

It's also important to note that the thickness of the bacon slices will affect the cooking time. Thicker bacon may require a longer cooking time, while thinner bacon may be ready in less time. For example, one source recommends cooking thick-cut bacon for 10 minutes at 400°F, while another source suggests cooking thinner bacon for 7-8 minutes at the same temperature.

To achieve the desired doneness, it's a good idea to check on the bacon halfway through the cooking process. Use tongs to rearrange the slices or flip them if needed. If you prefer your bacon extra crispy, you can cook it for an additional minute or two.

In summary, when cooking bacon in an air fryer at 400°F, lay the bacon slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket, allowing for some space between each slice. Adjust the cooking time based on the thickness of the bacon and your desired level of doneness.

Cook the bacon for 7-9 minutes

Cooking bacon in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get crispy bacon. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200-204°C) for 5 minutes. Once the air fryer has preheated, lay slices of bacon in one layer in the air fryer basket. The edges of the bacon can touch as they will shrink down a lot, so fit in as much bacon as you can in one layer.

Once the bacon is cooked to your liking, remove it from the air fryer and serve hot. Allow it to cool for 1-2 minutes before serving.

Check the bacon halfway through to see if it needs to be rearranged

When cooking bacon in an air fryer at 400°F, it's important to check on it halfway through the cooking process. This is because the bacon may need to be rearranged to ensure even cooking. Use tongs to carefully lift and separate any slices that are sticking together or overlapping. This will help to prevent the bacon from becoming overcrowded in the air fryer basket, which can lead to uneven cooking and prevent the bacon from shrinking down properly.

Checking the bacon halfway through also allows you to assess its doneness and decide if you need to adjust the cooking time. If you prefer your bacon softer, you may need to reduce the cooking time by a minute or two. On the other hand, if you like your bacon extra crispy, you may need to add an extra minute or two to the cooking time.

The bacon will shrink significantly during cooking, so it's important to fit as much bacon as possible into the air fryer basket in a single layer at the start. This way, you can cook more bacon at once and make the most of the air fryer's capacity. However, be careful not to overcrowd the basket, as this can affect the cooking results.

By checking the bacon halfway through the cooking process, you can ensure that it is cooking evenly and make any necessary adjustments to the arrangement or cooking time. This will help you achieve the desired level of doneness and make the most of your air fryer's capabilities.

Remove the bacon from the air fryer and serve hot

Once the bacon is cooked to your liking, remove it from the air fryer and serve hot. If you like your bacon crispy, you can cook it for an extra minute or two. If you prefer softer bacon, you can cook it for one minute less. You can also check halfway through the cooking time to see if anything needs to be rearranged or re-spaced. Tongs are helpful for this. Allow the bacon to cool for 1-2 minutes before serving.

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