Air Fryer Turkey Bacon: The Perfect Quick Cook Time

Turkey bacon is a healthier alternative to regular pork bacon, with fewer calories and less fat. It can be cooked in an air fryer in under 10 minutes, resulting in crispy and tender bacon. The air fryer also makes cleanup easier, as there is no greasy pan or splatter. The cooking process is straightforward: preheat the air fryer, arrange the bacon slices in a single layer, and cook for 5-9 minutes, flipping halfway through. The exact cooking time depends on the desired crispiness and the type of bacon, with uncured bacon requiring a longer cooking time.

Cooking Turkey Bacon in an Air Fryer

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the turkey bacon-making process. It helps to achieve even cooking and ensures your bacon crisps up nicely. Most sources recommend preheating your air fryer to 350°F (177°C), although one source recommends 400°F. One source suggests that preheating is not necessary for bacon, but this is contradicted by the majority of sources.

To preheat your air fryer, simply turn it on and set the temperature to the desired level. Most air fryers will have a preheat setting, but if yours does not, you can simply set the temperature and wait for the air fryer to come to temperature. This usually takes around 3 minutes but can vary depending on the model.

Once your air fryer has preheated, you can add the bacon. It's important to ensure that the bacon strips are in a single layer and do not overlap, as this will ensure even cooking. If your bacon strips are overlapping, it's best to cook them in multiple batches.

Some sources recommend lightly spraying the inside of the preheated air fryer basket with oil to avoid the bacon drying out and to help achieve crispiness. However, this is not essential, and some sources maintain that no oil is needed. Ultimately, it's up to your personal preference and the specific air fryer you are using.

Arrange bacon in a single layer

When arranging bacon in an air fryer, it is important to place the slices in a single layer. This ensures that the hot air circulates evenly around each slice, resulting in consistent cooking. If the bacon slices overlap or stack, they will not cook evenly, and you may end up with some pieces that are undercooked or overcooked.

To arrange bacon in a single layer, start by placing the slices of bacon side by side in the air fryer basket. It is best to use a preheated air fryer, especially if you are cooking cured bacon, as this helps achieve even cooking and ensures the bacon crisps up nicely. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (177°C) for regular bacon or 400°F for uncured bacon. If the bacon slices do not all fit in a single layer, cook them in multiple batches to ensure even cooking.

When arranging the bacon slices, try to leave a little bit of space between each piece. Since bacon shrinks during cooking, you don't want the slices to touch, as this can affect how evenly they cook. However, you also don't want to leave too much space between the slices, as this can cause overcrowding in the air fryer basket, leading to uneven cooking.

Additionally, the type of bacon you are using can impact how you arrange it in the air fryer. For example, if you are cooking uncured bacon, which tends to be wider, you may need to cook it for a longer period, usually 8 to 9 minutes. On the other hand, cured bacon cooks faster, typically in about 6 minutes.

By following these guidelines and arranging your bacon in a single layer, you can ensure that your turkey bacon cooks evenly and efficiently in the air fryer, resulting in crispy and delicious bacon every time.

Cook for 5 minutes

Cooking turkey bacon in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get crispy and crunchy bacon. It is a healthier alternative to pork bacon, with fewer calories and less grease.

To cook turkey bacon in an air fryer in 5 minutes, start by preheating your air fryer. The ideal temperature for cooking turkey bacon is around 350°F, but temperatures between 180°C/350°F and 400°F are also used by some sources.

Once preheated, place the turkey bacon strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket. It is important to avoid overlapping the strips, as this will prevent even cooking. If you have a lot of bacon to cook, you may need to cook it in batches.

Cook the bacon for 5 minutes, flipping each strip halfway through the cooking time. Depending on your air fryer and your desired level of crispiness, you may need to adjust the cooking time. For example, some sources suggest cooking for an additional 3-5 minutes for crispier bacon, while others suggest reducing the cooking time to 4 minutes for a milder crunch.

After cooking, you can serve the bacon immediately. If you have leftovers, let them reach room temperature before storing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Flip bacon and cook for another 3-5 minutes

Flipping the bacon halfway through the cooking process is an important step in achieving evenly cooked, crispy turkey bacon. Depending on the air fryer you are using, the cooking time may vary slightly, but generally, you will want to cook the bacon for another 3-5 minutes after flipping.

If you are using an air fryer that reaches 390°F, 3-5 minutes is a good estimate for the second half of the cooking time. However, if your air fryer is set to 400°F, you may only need to cook the bacon for an additional 2-3 minutes after flipping.

Keep in mind that the total cooking time will depend on how crispy you like your bacon. If you prefer your bacon on the softer side, a total cooking time of 7-9 minutes may be sufficient. On the other hand, if you like your bacon extra crispy, you may need to cook it for up to 10 minutes or even a little longer.

It is also important to note that the type of bacon you are using will impact the cooking time. Uncured bacon that is on the wider side, for example, will likely need a few extra minutes of cooking time.

To check if your bacon is done to your liking, look for visual cues such as a golden brown colour and slight folding of the strips. You can also use plastic-tipped tongs to safely lift a piece of bacon and inspect its firmness. If it is firm and bright in colour, it is likely done.

Check for doneness

When cooking turkey bacon in an air fryer, it is important to keep an eye on the clock and check for doneness. The cooking time may vary depending on the type of turkey bacon and your desired level of crispiness. Regular turkey bacon is typically done in about 5-6 minutes, while cured turkey bacon may take about 8-9 minutes. Uncured bacon that is on the wider side may need up to 9 minutes.

To check for doneness, open the air fryer basket halfway through the cooking time and use plastic-tipped tongs to turn the pieces of turkey bacon over. Close the basket and continue cooking for the remaining time. About 2 minutes before the end of the cook time, open the air fryer again to check the progress. The bacon is done when the pieces are firm, bright in color, and crispy. Adjust the cooking time as needed to achieve your desired level of crispiness. If you prefer extra crispy bacon, you can cook it for an additional 2-3 minutes.

It is important to note that the cook time may vary slightly depending on the air fryer model you are using. Therefore, it is recommended to check the bacon after the suggested cooking time and make adjustments accordingly. The best way to gauge doneness is by checking the bacon after the initial cooking time and adjusting the timing as needed. Remember to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket and cook the bacon in batches if necessary to ensure even cooking.

By following these instructions and keeping a close eye on the bacon during the cooking process, you can ensure that your turkey bacon is cooked to your desired level of doneness and crispiness.

Frequently asked questions