Air Fryer Bacon: How Much Can You Cook?

Cooking bacon in an air fryer is a quick, convenient, and energy-efficient way to make your favourite breakfast meat. It is also less messy than traditional stovetop or oven methods, and there is no need to preheat the air fryer. The amount of bacon you can put in an air fryer depends on the size of the air fryer basket, but generally, you can cook as many rashers as can fit in a single layer without overlapping. Touching is okay, as the bacon will shrink as it cooks.

How to get the right crispness

The key to getting the right crispness when cooking bacon in an air fryer is to cook it for long enough at a high enough temperature, but not so long that it burns. The exact time and temperature will depend on the type of bacon you are using and your desired level of crispness, but there are some general guidelines you can follow.

Firstly, it is important to cook the bacon in a single layer. It is okay if the slices are touching, as they will shrink as they cook, but do not layer them on top of each other. If you are cooking a lot of bacon, you may need to do multiple batches.

Secondly, you will need to cook the bacon at a high temperature. Most sources recommend cooking at around 350-400°F, with 390°F being the most common recommendation. However, some sources suggest cooking at a lower temperature of 200°C (390°F).

Thirdly, the cooking time will depend on the type of bacon you are using and your desired level of crispness. For regular cut bacon, cook for 7-9 minutes for crispy bacon. For thick-cut bacon, cook for 10-12 minutes. If you like your bacon softer, reduce the cooking time by a minute or two.

Finally, it is important to drain the excess fat during the cooking process. Bacon will not crisp up properly if it is left to sit in its own juices. Drain the fat after about 5 minutes of cooking, and again at the 7-minute mark if you are cooking for longer.

By following these guidelines, you should be able to get perfectly crisp bacon every time.

How much bacon you can fit in the air fryer

The amount of bacon that can be placed in an air fryer depends on the size of the air fryer basket. For optimal cooking, the bacon should be arranged in a single layer, with some overlap between slices being okay.

For example, one source mentions that their Russell Hobbs XXL air fryer fits 8 rashers in a single layer. Similarly, another source mentions that their air fryer fits 8 slices nicely.

The number of bacon slices that can fit in an air fryer will also depend on the thickness of the bacon. For instance, one source mentions that their Insignia 5Qt air fryer can fit 5-6 slices of thick-cut bacon at a time.

It's important to note that overcrowding the air fryer basket can affect the cooking process and prevent even airflow and crisping. Therefore, it's recommended to cook bacon in batches if necessary to ensure optimal cooking results.

Additionally, the cooking time and temperature may vary depending on the desired doneness and the thickness of the bacon. For example, thinner bacon may require less cooking time, while thicker bacon may need a longer cooking time for a crispy texture.

How to layer the bacon

To layer bacon in an air fryer, it is recommended to place the bacon in a single layer, with some overlap being okay as the bacon will shrink. You can also cut the bacon strips in half to ensure they fit in a single layer.

It is not recommended to pile the bacon on top of each other, but a little overlap is fine. The bacon will shrink as it cooks, so you can spread it out after flipping it.

If you are cooking multiple batches, you will need to empty the bacon grease from the lower portion of the air fryer basket before cooking the second batch.

The best temperature to cook at

The best temperature to cook bacon in an air fryer depends on the type of bacon you are cooking, the desired crispiness, and the model of the air fryer.

For streaky bacon, set the air fryer to 200°C (390°F) and cook for 6-10 minutes. For just-cooked streaky bacon, 6 minutes should be enough, whereas crispier bacon will need 9-10 minutes. If you are cooking back bacon, set the air fryer to the same temperature but reduce the cooking time to 4-8 minutes.

If you are using an air fryer that does not have a temperature setting in Celsius or Fahrenheit, you can simply set it to 'air fryer' mode and follow the same cooking times.

For regular cut bacon, air fry at 350°F for 7-9 minutes for crispy bacon. If you prefer softer bacon, reduce the cooking time to 7 minutes. For thick-cut bacon, air fry at the same temperature for 10-12 minutes. For softer thick-cut bacon, 9-10 minutes should be enough.

If you are cooking in batches, remember that the second batch will usually be quicker as the air fryer has already heated up.

How long to cook the bacon for

The cooking time for bacon in an air fryer depends on the type of bacon, the desired crispiness, and the style of the air fryer.

For regular cut bacon, air fry at 350˚F for 7 minutes for softer bacon, and 8 to 9 minutes for crispy bacon. For thick-cut bacon, air fry at 350˚F for 9-10 minutes for softer bacon, and 10-12 minutes for crispy bacon.

Some recipes suggest cooking at a higher temperature of 390˚F to 400˚F for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping the bacon halfway through. However, it is important to note that the smoke point of bacon fat is 400˚F, so air frying at 350˚F helps to avoid any smokiness while cooking.

For back bacon, cook at 200˚C for 4 to 8 minutes, depending on your preference.

It is recommended to preheat the air fryer for about 3 minutes before adding the bacon to prevent sticking. However, some sources say that preheating is not necessary, especially for bacon.

Frequently asked questions