Ella Walter
Cooking bacon in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and mess-free way to get crispy bacon without the hassle of grease splatters. Air frying bacon is faster than using a stovetop or oven, and the compact size of the air fryer means less smell and quicker clean-up. This guide will take you through the steps to cook bacon in an air fryer oven without the mess.
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What You'll Learn
Air fryer bacon is less messy than cooking it in an oven
The air fryer's compact size and powerful convection cooking make it a faster and more efficient way to cook bacon. The grease collects neatly underneath the basket in the drawer, so there are no greasy splatters in the kitchen, and the grease is easy to discard. Simply tip the drawer to pour off the excess grease, and you're done!
Cooking bacon in the oven can be a nerve-wracking experience due to the risk of hot grease splattering on a thin cookie sheet. In contrast, the air fryer contains and collects the grease, eliminating the mess and stress of grease splatters.
Additionally, the clean-up process is a breeze with an air fryer. You can use tin foil or parchment paper to catch the grease, making clean-up even easier. While some people prefer cooking bacon in the oven in larger batches, the air fryer's quick cooking time and easy clean-up make it a more convenient option for smaller portions.
Overall, air fryer bacon is a less messy and more convenient alternative to cooking bacon in the oven, making it a great choice for crispy, mess-free bacon without the hassle of a greasy kitchen.
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It's faster and easier than the stovetop or oven
Cooking bacon in an air fryer is faster and easier than using a stovetop or oven. For a start, there's no need to preheat the air fryer, and you can cook bacon in a single layer without needing to flip it halfway through—the air simply flows evenly around the food. This means less hassle and a lower chance of burning the bacon.
The cooking time depends on the thickness of the bacon and how crispy you like it, but it typically takes around 7-9 minutes for regular bacon, and 10-12 minutes for thick-cut bacon. This is much faster than cooking bacon in the oven, which can take up to 20 minutes.
The air fryer method is also much less messy. There's no greasy stove to clean up, and no splattering grease on your skin, clothing, or kitchen surfaces. The grease is contained within the fryer, and can be easily poured into a jar or soaked up with a piece of bread or paper towel.
The compact size of air fryers means they're also great for cooking bacon on the go, whether that's on a camping trip, hotel vacation, or RV road trip.
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You can cook bacon in an air fryer without preheating it
There is no need to flip the bacon halfway as the air circulates, so both sides will cook evenly. However, if you are cooking in batches, be sure to drain the drip pan of any oil and wipe it clean with a paper towel between batches.
The best part about cooking bacon in an air fryer is that there is no grease splatter, and the grease is easy to discard. Simply drain the hot grease from under the basket and discard it. You can also place a slice of bread in the air fryer basket to absorb excess grease and prevent smoke.
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You can cook bacon in an air fryer without using foil or parchment paper
To cook bacon in an air fryer without foil or parchment paper, start by removing the tray from the air fryer to lower the bacon further away from the heating element and reduce splatters. Then, place the bacon strips in a single layer in the basket. You can cut the strips in half if needed to fit more, but avoid letting them overlap. The bacon will shrink in the first few minutes as the fat renders, and you can separate the strips a bit more then.
Air fry regular cut bacon at 350˚F for 7-9 minutes, or until the bacon is browned and reaches your desired crispiness. For thick-cut bacon, air fry for 10-12 minutes. Halfway through the cooking time, flip the bacon over to prevent it from curling.
Once the bacon is cooked, transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess grease. Then, serve the bacon immediately. You can reserve the bacon grease in a container to reuse, or wait for it to cool and discard it.
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You can cook bacon in an air fryer without it splattering grease
Cooking bacon in an air fryer is a great way to avoid the splattering grease that comes with frying bacon on a stovetop. Air fryers are highly efficient, as they can heat food from room temperature to over 300 degrees Fahrenheit in under three minutes.
To cook bacon in an air fryer without splattering grease, first, place 4 to 5 slices of thick-cut bacon, lying flat, in the basket of the air fryer. It is important to ensure that the bacon is in a single layer, with some overlap being okay. Then, set the air fryer to between 350 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The ideal temperature may differ depending on the size and power of your air fryer, so you may have to test a few batches to get the perfect cook. For thin-cut bacon, check the bacon after 5 to 6 minutes, as it will cook faster. For thick-cut bacon, check after 8 to 9 minutes. Once the bacon is crispy, use tongs to carefully transfer it to a paper-towel-lined plate to soak up any excess grease. Finally, carefully drain the hot grease from under the basket and discard it.
To further reduce the mess, you can line the outer basket with aluminum foil before placing the bacon inside. Additionally, you can put a thin slice of bread at the bottom of the air fryer (beneath the basket) to absorb the grease and simplify cleaning.
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Frequently asked questions
Place a drip tray or a piece of aluminum foil under the crisper tray to catch the grease. You can also put a slice of bread underneath the basket to soak up the grease.
It is recommended to cook the bacon at 350˚F. However, some people have cooked it at 375˚F or 400˚F.
For regular bacon, cook for 7-9 minutes. For thick-cut bacon, cook for 10-12 minutes. If you want crispy bacon, cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.
To prevent splattering, cook the bacon at a lower temperature, such as 350˚F. You can also add a little water underneath the air fryer basket.
