Tiffany Haney
Bacon is a delicious food that can be cooked in many ways, but deep frying is one method that can make it even better. Deep-frying bacon is a great way to make large quantities of bacon in bulk, and it eliminates the mess of using a skillet. In this article, we will be discussing how to cook bacon in an oil-less fryer, so you can enjoy crispy, salty, and decadent bacon without the mess and hassle of traditional frying methods. We will cover the steps to follow, from preparing the bacon and the fryer to cooking and serving tips, so you can get that perfect bacon treat.
How to cook bacon in an air fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 350°F |
| Cook time | 7-12 minutes |
| Oil | Vegetable or canola oil |
| Oil temperature | 340-360°F |
| Bacon type | Regular, thick-cut, turkey, cured, uncured |
| Bacon preparation | Bring to room temperature, cut into smaller pieces if necessary |
| Amount of bacon | 5-6 strips, or as many as can fit comfortably |
| Cookware | Deep fryer or deep pan |
| Other tools | Fry basket, fork, tongs, slotted spoon, paper towels |
| Batter | Tempura (1 egg, 1 cup flour, 1 cup cold water) |
| Batter preparation | Mix egg and water, stir in flour, do not overmix |
| Cooking process | Fry bacon for 2 minutes on each side, remove before it turns brown |
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What You'll Learn
Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time and temperature for bacon in an air fryer will depend on the type of bacon you are cooking. For example, thick-cut bacon will take longer to cook than regular bacon.
If you are cooking bacon in an air fryer, preheat the fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit if your model requires preheating. If you are cooking in a skillet, set the temperature to medium heat. For tempura frying, a temperature range of 340–360 °F (170–180 °C) is recommended.
When frying, do not overcrowd the fryer or skillet. Depending on the size of your pan or fryer, you should cook 2–3 strips of bacon per batch, or 4–5 slices if using a skillet. If your pan or fryer is small, cut the strips of bacon in half before frying.
The cooking time will vary depending on the type of bacon. For regular bacon, fry for 7–10 minutes, and for thick-cut bacon, fry for 10–12 minutes. For skillet frying, the cooking time is 8–15 minutes. Regardless of the cooking method, fry the bacon until it reaches your desired level of crispiness.
Bacon should be fried until it is golden brown. It should not be left in the fryer or skillet for too long, as it will continue cooking in the residual heat after being removed. The bacon will start to float in the oil once it is done, and the batter will puff up.
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How to handle the bacon
When it comes to handling bacon, there are several important steps and considerations to keep in mind to ensure optimal results. Firstly, it is recommended to bring the bacon to room temperature before frying. Taking it out of the fridge about 15 minutes beforehand allows for more even cooking and helps prevent the bacon from shrinking drastically due to temperature shock.
The type of bacon you choose is also important. Whether it's cured, uncured, smoked, flavoured, thin or thick-cut, each variety will have a slightly different cooking time. For instance, thick-cut bacon will generally require a longer cooking time than regular bacon.
When frying, it's best to cook the bacon in small batches to avoid overcrowding the pan or fryer. This helps to ensure even cooking and prevents the bacon from sticking together. Depending on the size of your pan or fryer, you can cook 2-3 strips of bacon per batch, or cut the strips in half if necessary.
When adding the bacon to the hot oil, use a fry basket, fork, or tongs to protect your hands from the hot oil. Be cautious of splattering oil, as even a small splash can be dangerous. Once the bacon is in the oil, it should start frying immediately and absorb the oil as it sizzles.
The cooking time for bacon can vary, but on average, it takes around 5 minutes in a deep fryer or 7-10 minutes in an air fryer for regular bacon, and 10-12 minutes for thick-cut bacon. However, it's important to monitor the bacon closely, as the exact time will depend on factors such as the thickness of the bacon and your desired level of doneness.
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Using batter
Next, coat the bacon in the batter. If you are using thin-sliced bacon, batter the strips by hand so they don't break. Then, let the excess batter drip off, and place the bacon in the oil. The oil should be hot enough that the bacon floats and starts frying immediately. Fry 2-3 strips at a time, giving them a couple of minutes to absorb the oil and start sizzling. After a couple of minutes, turn the bacon over and cook the other side. Once the batter is a pleasant golden brown, the bacon is done.
Remove the bacon from the oil and place it on a paper towel to drain the excess oil. The bacon will continue cooking after you remove it from the fryer, so take it out before it starts turning brown. If you want a sweet and salty treat, sprinkle powdered sugar over the bacon.
You can also precook the bacon and make the batter a few hours ahead of time if needed. If you want to add a final touch, place the fried bacon in the oven for 7 minutes after frying.
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Cooking in batches
Cooking bacon in batches is a great way to prepare a large quantity of bacon at once. It is also useful when you are working with a smaller fryer or pan. If you are cooking bacon in an air fryer, preheat it to 350 degrees Fahrenheit if your model requires preheating.
The number of slices you can cook per batch will depend on the size of your fryer or pan. For a skillet or frying pan, it is recommended to cook 4 to 5 slices at a time to ensure even cooking. For an air fryer, you can add 5 to 6 slices of regular bacon or cut the strips in half to fit more. If you are using a deep fryer, you can add as many pieces as you can comfortably fit without overcrowding, usually 2 to 3 strips at a time.
When cooking bacon in batches, it is important to maintain a consistent temperature. For a skillet, cook the bacon on low to medium heat. For an air fryer, set the temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. For deep frying, heat the oil to 340-360 degrees Fahrenheit or 170-180 degrees Celsius.
To cook bacon in batches, first, bring the bacon to room temperature about 15 minutes before cooking. This will help ensure even cooking and prevent shrinkage. Then, carefully lower the strips of bacon into the fryer or pan, using a fry basket, fork, or tongs to protect your hands from the hot oil. Allow the bacon to fry for about 2 minutes on each side, or until the batter turns golden brown. Remove the bacon from the oil using tongs and place it on paper towels to absorb any excess grease. Repeat the process until you have cooked all the bacon.
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Clean-up and storage
Air Fryer
When cooking bacon in an air fryer, it's important to clean the fryer between batches. Pour out any drippings or leftover bacon grease from the outer pan to prevent smoking. You can store leftover bacon from an air fryer in the refrigerator for up to four days. For longer storage, consider freezing. First, freeze the cooked bacon slices on a rimmed baking sheet until they are solid. Then, transfer the frozen bacon slices to a freezer-safe bag and store them in the freezer for up to three months.
Oven
Cooking bacon in the oven can be a less messy option compared to stovetop cooking, as it contains splatters in one place. To make cleanup even easier, line your baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil to catch any drippings. After cooking, simply throw away the parchment paper or foil, and you may not even need to rinse the pan.
Stovetop
Cooking bacon on a stovetop can be messier, with grease splattering and bacon bits sticking to the pan. To minimize the mess, consider using a splatter screen, wearing an apron, and using oven mitts to protect your clothes and arms. If your pan gets crusty, let it cool, then wipe it clean with paper towels or newspaper. To remove stubborn bits, try boiling water in the pan and gently scraping the bottom with a spatula. For storage, place leftover bacon on paper towels to drain excess grease, then transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator.
By following these clean-up and storage tips, you can enjoy your crispy, tasty bacon without the hassle of a messy kitchen or spoiled leftovers.
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