Emilie Meyer
Bacon medallions are a great option for a quick and easy breakfast, sandwich, or addition to another dish. They are lean pieces of bacon taken from the loin and can be cooked in an air fryer in a matter of minutes. The cooking time will depend on the desired crispness and doneness, as well as the specific air fryer model being used. In general, it is recommended to cook bacon medallions in an air fryer for around 5-11 minutes at a temperature of 200-400 degrees Fahrenheit. Some recipes suggest flipping the medallions halfway through the cooking process, while others advise cooking in batches to ensure even cooking.
Cooking Bacon Medallions in an Air Fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 200°C/390°F or 200°C/400°F or 240°C |
| Cooking Time | 5 minutes per batch, then 3 minutes with all batches together or 6-8 minutes in total or 10 minutes |
| Number of Medallions | 4 or 8 or 8-10 |
| Preheat | Not required |
| Calories | 33kcal |
| Protein | 6g |
| Fat | 1g |
| Saturated Fat | 1g |
| Sodium | 563mg |
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What You'll Learn
Cooking temperature and time
The cooking temperature and time for bacon medallions in an air fryer depend on various factors, including the number of medallions, the model of the air fryer, and your desired level of crispness.
Firstly, it's important to note that the cooking time will vary depending on the number of medallions you are cooking. Most recipes suggest cooking four medallions at a time, with some overlap, to allow for even cooking. If you are cooking a larger batch, you may need to cook in shifts and then finish all the batches together so that everything is hot and ready to serve at once.
The cooking temperature for bacon medallions in an air fryer typically ranges from 200°C/390°F to 240°C/400°F. The higher the temperature, the crispier the bacon will be. However, it's important to note that medallions have very little fat, so they may dry out instead of becoming crispy. If you prefer your bacon on the softer side, a lower temperature or shorter cooking time is recommended.
The cooking time for bacon medallions in an air fryer generally ranges from 5 to 11 minutes, depending on the desired level of crispness. For slightly crispy bacon, cook the medallions for about 8 minutes at 200°C/400°F. If you prefer softer bacon, reduce the temperature to 200°C/390°F and cook for 4 minutes, then flip and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes. For crispier bacon, increase the temperature to 200°C/390°F and cook for 5 minutes, then flip and cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes. It's worth noting that some recipes suggest cooking the medallions for an initial 5 minutes, then flipping and cooking for a further 3 minutes, regardless of the desired crispness.
Additionally, some air fryer models may require preheating, while others do not. Always refer to the instructions for your specific model. It is also recommended to flip the medallions halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking, although this step can be skipped if you are short on time.
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Batch cooking
The first step is to arrange the medallions in the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may only be able to fit four medallions in the basket at a time, or you may be able to fit eight. It's important to ensure that the bacon is in a single layer and that it doesn't overcrowd the basket, as this will affect how evenly it cooks. It's fine if the medallions overlap slightly, as this will still allow air to circulate.
Once you have arranged the first batch of medallions, you can set the air fryer temperature. Most sources recommend cooking bacon medallions at 200°C/390°F, with cooking times ranging from five to eight minutes. However, one source suggests a higher temperature of 240°C for six minutes. If you prefer softer bacon, you can cook it for four minutes, flip it, and then cook for an additional two to three minutes. For crispier bacon, cook it on the second side for one to two minutes longer. Keep in mind that medallions have very little fat, so they may dry out instead of becoming crispy. If you prefer crispier bacon, you can spray the medallions generously with vegetable oil before cooking.
After the first batch is cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove them from the air fryer and repeat the process with the remaining medallions. If you want all the batches to be hot and ready to serve at the same time, you can finish them off together. Place the first batch of cooked medallions back into the air fryer with the second batch and cook for an additional three minutes at 200°C/390°F.
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Crispy medallions
To make crispy bacon medallions in an air fryer, you can follow these steps:
Firstly, it's important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the model of your air fryer, so you may need to adjust the timing and temperature settings accordingly. If your air fryer requires pre-heating, start by setting it to this mode.
For crispy medallions, you can arrange 4 bacon medallions on the air fryer rack, ensuring they are in a single layer. It's okay if the bacon overlaps slightly, as this allows air to circulate. Set the temperature to 200°C/390°F and air fry for 5 minutes.
Remove the first batch of medallions from the air fryer and repeat the process with the remaining 4 medallions. You can then add the first batch back into the air fryer, placing them bottom side up. Cook for an additional 3 minutes at 200°C/390°F for slightly crispy medallions.
If you prefer your bacon even crispier, you can cook it on the second side for an additional 1-2 minutes. For a more traditional level of crispness, spray the medallions generously with vegetable oil before cooking.
For thicker-cut medallions, you may need to increase the cooking time. Some sources suggest cooking at 200°C/400°F for 8 minutes, or even 10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the medallions.
If you're cooking a larger batch, you may need to cook the medallions in shifts, but you can finish them all off together to ensure they are hot and ready to serve simultaneously.
And there you have it! Crispy bacon medallions cooked to perfection in your air fryer. Enjoy them as a side or add them to your favourite dishes.
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Defrosting frozen medallions
While it is possible to cook bacon medallions from frozen, it is not recommended as the rashers will be stuck together and hard to separate.
If you have intentionally frozen the medallions individually, you can cook them from frozen. However, if they are stuck together, you will need to defrost them before cooking.
There are several ways to defrost frozen bacon medallions:
- Cold water bath: Place the medallions in their original packaging or a zip-top bag into a watertight container. Then, place the container in a bowl of cold tap water and leave on the kitchen counter. The amount of time to defrost depends on the amount of bacon—a pound of bacon can take up to 20 minutes. You can also run the medallions under cold water from the sink.
- Refrigerator: This is the best method if you have the time. Place the frozen medallions in a container and leave them in the refrigerator overnight or for up to 24 hours.
- Microwave: If you are short on time, you can defrost the medallions in the microwave. Place them on a microwave-safe plate and use the defrost function or a low power level for 30-second intervals until thawed.
- Conventional oven: Preheat the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the medallions on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and leave them in the oven for about five minutes.
- Frying pan: Place the medallions in a stainless steel or cast iron frying pan on low to medium heat. Optionally, line the pan with aluminum foil to prevent the bacon from cooking. After a few minutes, flip the medallions and heat the other side.
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Reheating
- Prepare the Air Fryer: Ensure your air fryer is clean and ready for use. Preheating is generally not required for reheating, but you can refer to your specific model's instructions if needed.
- Arrange the Bacon Medallions: Place the leftover bacon medallions in a single layer on the air fryer basket or rack. It's best to avoid overcrowding to ensure even heating. If you have a large quantity of bacon medallions, you may need to reheat them in batches.
- Set the Temperature and Time: Most sources recommend reheating bacon medallions at 200°C/400°F for about 6 minutes. However, the exact temperature and time may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model and the number of medallions you're reheating.
- Reheat the Bacon Medallions: Place the basket or rack into the air fryer, close the door, and set the timer according to your desired settings. You can check on the medallions halfway through to ensure they're heating evenly.
- Serve: Once the timer goes off, carefully remove the basket or rack from the air fryer. Use tongs or a spatula to transfer the reheated bacon medallions to plates or serving dishes.
It's important to note that the reheating time may vary based on the initial temperature of the bacon medallions and your desired level of crispness. For softer bacon, you may reduce the reheating time, and for crispier bacon, you might extend it by a minute or two. Additionally, some people prefer reheating bacon in the microwave, as it tends to retain more moisture.
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Frequently asked questions
For crispy bacon medallions, air fry at 200C/390F for 5 minutes, then flip and cook for another 3 minutes.
For softer bacon medallions, air fry at 200C/390F for 4 minutes, then flip and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
This depends on the size of your air fryer. You can cook 4 medallions at a time to allow enough room for air to circulate. If you have a larger air fryer, you may be able to cook 8 medallions at once.
