Grilling Bacon In An Air Fryer: How Long Does It Take?

Cooking bacon in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to achieve crispy bacon with less fat. The cooking time depends on the type of bacon and your desired crispiness. For regular cut bacon, cook at 350˚F for 7-9 minutes, and for thick-cut bacon, cook at the same temperature for 9-12 minutes. If you want softer bacon, reduce the cooking time. For streaky bacon, cook for 6-10 minutes, and for back bacon, cook for 4-8 minutes. Make sure to lay the bacon in a single layer in the air fryer basket and avoid overcrowding to ensure even cooking.

Optimal temperature and timing for crispy bacon

The optimal temperature and timing for cooking bacon in an air fryer will depend on the type of bacon you are using, the desired crispiness, and the style of your air fryer.

Regular Cut Bacon

For softer bacon, air fry at 350˚F for 7 minutes. If you prefer crispier bacon, increase the cooking time to 8 to 9 minutes. It is recommended to avoid cooking at temperatures higher than 400˚F, as this is the smoke point of bacon fat, which can cause smoking.

Thick-Cut Bacon

Thick-cut bacon requires a longer cooking time to ensure the inside is cooked. For softer thick-cut bacon, air fry at 350˚F for 9-10 minutes. For crispier bacon, increase the cooking time to 10-12 minutes.

Other Factors to Consider

The style of your air fryer can also impact the cooking time. For example, toaster oven-style air fryers may cook faster than basket-style air fryers. It is recommended to get to know your air fryer, check on your food regularly, and adjust recipe timings as needed.

Additionally, it is important to ensure that the bacon slices are arranged in a single layer in the air fryer basket, with minimal overlap, to allow for proper airflow and even cooking.

Finally, if cooking in batches, remember that the second batch will usually cook quicker as the air fryer is already heated up.

How to prevent the air fryer from smoking

Cooking bacon in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get crispy bacon without the mess. However, cooking fatty foods like bacon can cause your air fryer to smoke. Here are some tips to prevent your air fryer from smoking:

Lower the Temperature

Cooking bacon at a high temperature can cause it to smoke. The smoke point of bacon fat is around 400°F, so try cooking your bacon at a lower temperature, such as 350°F, to prevent smoking.

Use Water or Bread to Absorb Grease

Excess grease is a common cause of smoking in air fryers. To prevent this, you can place a slice of bread at the bottom of the air fryer drawer or basket to absorb the grease. Alternatively, adding a couple of tablespoons of water to the bottom of the air fryer can help as the water will quickly turn to steam and prevent grease from smoking.

Clean Your Air Fryer Regularly

Leftover grease, oils, or food particles from previous cooking can cause your air fryer to smoke. Make sure to clean your air fryer regularly, especially the heating element, to remove any built-up grease or food residue. Check your air fryer's manual for specific cleaning instructions.

Avoid Overcrowding the Basket

Overcrowding the basket can cause uneven cooking and burning, which leads to smoking. Make sure there is enough space for hot air to circulate properly. If needed, cook your bacon in multiple batches to avoid overcrowding.

Choose the Right Type of Bacon

Thicker-cut bacon may require a longer cooking time and a higher temperature, which can increase the risk of smoking. Opting for regular-cut bacon or adjusting the cooking time for thicker bacon can help prevent smoking.

Ensure Proper Ventilation

In addition to the above measures, ensure your air fryer is set up in a well-ventilated area. Avoid placing it in a tight space where air cannot circulate freely around the vents. Keep your kitchen well-ventilated by opening windows or turning on the vent hood while cooking.

How to clean an air fryer

Cooking bacon in an air fryer is easy and less messy than making it on a stovetop or in the oven. It's also quicker, as there's no need to preheat the oven.

Now, onto cleaning your air fryer. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Clean the air fryer immediately after use. Turn off the machine, unplug it, and let it cool down.
• Remove the inner basket and pan, and wash them with warm, soapy water. For stubborn residue, you can soak these parts in soapy water or put them in the dishwasher, if they're dishwasher-safe.
• Wipe the bottom chamber of the machine with a damp paper towel or clean dish towel. This is important to prevent crumbs, oil, and meat drippings from building up.
• Once the machine is completely cool, wipe down the heating element. You may need to tip or invert the machine for easier access.
• Dry all parts thoroughly before reassembling and storing.

Some additional tips:

• Avoid using abrasive sponges or sharp utensils, as most air fryer parts have a non-stick coating.
• For a deeper clean, especially around the heating elements, you can use a soft cloth or sponge with mild soap. You can also use a small amount of baking soda on a damp sponge to scrub away stubborn residue.
• To prevent a smoky air fryer, add a cup of water to the lower pan, or place a slice of bread in the pan to absorb the grease.

How to cut bacon to fit the air fryer

When preparing bacon to be cooked in an air fryer, it's important to cut the bacon strips so that they fit into the air fryer basket in a single layer. This is because the air fryer works by circulating hot air around the food, and if the bacon strips are overlapping or stacked, they won't cook evenly.

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to cut bacon to fit your air fryer:

• Start by examining your air fryer basket and noting its size and shape. This will help you determine how much bacon you can fit in a single layer.
• Take your bacon strips and lay them out flat on a cutting board.
• Using a sharp knife, cut the bacon strips into pieces that will fit comfortably in your air fryer basket without overlapping. The exact size of the pieces may vary depending on the size and shape of your air fryer.
• If needed, you can cut the bacon strips in half lengthwise to make them narrower and ensure they fit better in the air fryer. This is especially useful if you have thick-cut bacon, as thinner pieces will cook more evenly.
• Once you have cut the bacon to the desired size, you can start placing the pieces into the air fryer basket in a single layer. Try to avoid overcrowding and leave a little space between each piece to allow for even cooking.
• Depending on the size of your air fryer and the amount of bacon you are cooking, you may need to cook the bacon in batches.
• If you are cooking multiple batches, be sure to discard any excess grease from the drip pan or basket between batches to prevent smoking.
• Follow the recommended cooking times and temperatures for your desired level of doneness, and enjoy perfectly cooked air-fried bacon!

By cutting the bacon to fit your air fryer, you'll ensure even cooking and maximize the benefits of using an air fryer, resulting in crispy and delicious bacon every time.

What to serve with air fryer bacon

So, you've cooked your bacon in the air fryer to perfection. But what to serve it with? Here are some ideas:

Breakfast

Air fryer bacon is a great breakfast side. Pair it with a veggie scramble, whole wheat pumpkin spice muffins, instant pot hard-boiled eggs, blueberry oat muffins, Irish corned beef hash, double chocolate mocha muffins, or a tomato basil frittata.

Lunch

Air fryer bacon is the perfect addition to a BLT sandwich or a classic club sandwich. You could also add it to a chicken wrap or a pasta Caesar salad.

Dinner

Try serving air fryer bacon with a chicken BLT salad with avocado, Irish potato leek soup, or chicken corn chowder.

Snacks

Other

There are also plenty of recipes that use bacon as an ingredient, such as Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Dates, Hot Bean and Bacon Dip with Air Fryer Tortilla Chips, or Air Fryer Bacon-Chorizo Tater Tot® Dressing.

Frequently asked questions