Air Fryer Bacon: How Much Can You Cook?

Air fryers are a great way to cook bacon, with the ability to cook up to 8 rashers at a time, depending on the size of the air fryer basket. The bacon should be placed in a single layer, with the rashers touching but not overlapping or stacked on top of each other. The cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the bacon and the desired level of crispiness, but on average, it takes around 6-10 minutes to cook streaky bacon rashers and 4-8 minutes to cook back bacon rashers.

How long to cook bacon in an air fryer

The amount of bacon you can cook in an air fryer depends on the size of the air fryer basket. It's important to make sure the bacon is in a single layer and that the rashers aren't overlapping. You can cut the strips in half if needed to fit more in.

If you're cooking streaky bacon rashers, set the air fryer to 200C and cook for 6-10 minutes. For just-cooked bacon, 6 minutes will be enough, but if you like it crispier, cook for 9-10 minutes. Back bacon rashers will take 4-8 minutes.

If you're cooking thin-cut bacon, check it after 5-6 minutes as it will cook faster. Regular cut bacon should be cooked at 350˚F for 7-9 minutes, or until it's browned and reaches your desired crispiness. Thick-cut bacon will take 10-12 minutes.

If you're cooking in batches, remember that the second batch will usually be quicker as the air fryer has heated up. You can cook bacon in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days.

How to layer bacon in an air fryer

When layering bacon in an air fryer, it's important to ensure that the bacon strips are lying flat and in a single layer. They can touch each other as they will shrink during cooking, but they shouldn't overlap or be stacked on top of each other. The size of your air fryer basket will determine how many rashers you can cook at once. For example, a Russell Hobbs XXL air fryer can fit up to 8 rashers in a single layer. If you need to cook more bacon than your air fryer can accommodate in a single layer, you can cook it in batches.

To cook bacon in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to the desired temperature. For regular cut bacon, set the temperature to 350˚F and cook for 7-9 minutes. For thick-cut bacon, increase the temperature to 400˚F and cook for 10-12 minutes. If you prefer your bacon on the crispier side, you may need to cook it for the longer recommended time.

When cooking bacon in batches, it's important to discard any grease or oil that accumulates in the drip pan or basket between batches. This will help prevent the bacon from becoming too greasy and ensure even cooking. Use a baster or tongs to carefully remove the hot grease and discard it.

If you're cooking a large amount of bacon, you can cut the strips in half to fit more in a single layer. This is especially useful if you're making bacon bits or crumbles, as the smaller pieces will cook more evenly and thoroughly. Just be sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket, as this can affect the cooking time and the bacon may not crisp up as desired.

How much bacon to cook in an air fryer

The amount of bacon you can cook in an air fryer depends on the size of the air fryer basket. It's important to make sure the bacon strips are lying flat and not overlapping, although they can touch.

If you have a Russell Hobbs XXL air fryer, you can fit around 8 rashers in at once. For other air fryers, you may need to cut the bacon strips in half to fit more in.

For thin-cut bacon, cook at 400 degrees F for 5-6 minutes. For thick-cut bacon, cook at 350˚F for 10-12 minutes. If you like your bacon crispy, you may want to cook it for slightly longer.

How to clean an air fryer after cooking bacon

The amount of bacon you can cook in an air fryer depends on the size of the fryer basket. It's important to make sure the bacon is in a single layer and that the rashers aren't overlapping. You can cut the strips in half to fit more in the basket.

To clean an air fryer after cooking bacon, first transfer the cooked bacon to a paper-towel-lined plate. Then, carefully drain the hot grease from under the basket and discard it. You can use a baster to remove the grease. Finally, discard any oil in the drip pan before repeating the cooking process.

How to store cooked bacon

The amount of bacon you can put in an air fryer depends on the size of the air fryer basket. Lay the bacon in a single layer in the base of the air fryer, ensuring the layers aren't overlapping. You can cut the strips in half if needed to fit more.

When storing cooked bacon, it's important to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. To do this, allow the meat to cool to room temperature before sealing it in an airtight bag or container. This will limit the formation of condensation, which can make the bacon soggy. Refrigerate the bacon and consume it within four to five days. If you want to keep the bacon for longer, you can freeze it. Frozen cooked bacon will stay fresh for about a month. When it comes time to reheat frozen bacon, defrost it in the refrigerator for at least eight hours before warming it up.

Frequently asked questions