Tillie Doyle
Cooking bacon in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and mess-free way to achieve perfectly cooked bacon with a crispy exterior and chewy centre. Air frying is also a great way to cook bacon that is healthier than other methods, as the fat is rendered out of the bacon during the cooking process. This method also reduces the amount of grease splatter, making it a lot less messy than cooking bacon on a stovetop or in the oven.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 320-400°F |
| Timer | 5-15 minutes |
| Preheat | 5 minutes |
| Water | 1/4-1 cup |
| Bacon arrangement | Single layer, no overlapping |
| Flip bacon | Yes |
| Absorb excess grease | Paper towel |
| Storage | Refrigerator (up to 3-5 days) or freezer (up to 1 month) |
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What You'll Learn
Preheat the air fryer and add water to minimise smoke
Preheating your air fryer is a good idea, but it's important to do it properly to minimise smoke. Before preheating, check your air fryer's manual for any special instructions. Some sources recommend preheating your air fryer at a medium-low temperature of about 150°C, while others suggest 350°F (177°C). Preheat your air fryer for around 5 minutes.
To minimise smoke, it's a good idea to add water to the bottom of your air fryer. This will catch the grease and prevent smoke. Pour in about 1 cup of water, making sure the water is not touching the basket or bacon. You can also add a layer of bread to the bottom of the air fryer to minimise smoke.
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Arrange bacon slices in a single layer
When preparing bacon in an air fryer, it's important to arrange the bacon slices in a single layer. This ensures even cooking and prevents overlapping, which can lead to uneven cooking or grease splatters. Depending on the size of your air fryer basket, you can typically fit around 4-5 slices of bacon for thinner cuts and fewer slices for thicker cuts. If needed, cut the bacon strips in half or even thirds to make them fit nicely in a single layer without overlapping.
When arranging the bacon slices, be mindful of the size of your air fryer basket. If the slices are longer than the basket, simply fold the edges upward slightly. This helps maximise space and ensures the bacon cooks evenly. It's also worth noting that the limiting factor is the size of your air fryer basket. If you have a larger basket, you can fit more strips of bacon, while a smaller basket may require cooking in batches.
To optimise the cooking process, it's recommended to preheat your air fryer for about 5 minutes before adding the bacon. This step may vary depending on your specific air fryer model, so be sure to check your owner's manual for any special instructions. Additionally, adding a small amount of water to the bottom of the air fryer, such as 1/4 cup or 1 cup, can help minimise smoke. Just ensure the water doesn't touch the basket or the bacon.
Once your air fryer is preheated and the bacon is arranged in a single layer, you're ready to start cooking. Set your desired temperature and timer according to your preference for chewy or crispy bacon, and you'll be on your way to enjoying perfectly cooked bacon with a chewy centre and crispy edges.
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Cook at 350°F for 8-10 minutes for chewy bacon
Cooking chewy bacon in an air fryer is a straightforward process. First, you'll want to preheat your air fryer to 350°F for about 5 minutes. While you wait, you can arrange your bacon slices in a single layer in the basket of the air fryer, ensuring they don't overlap.
Once preheated, place the bacon in the air fryer and cook for 8-10 minutes. The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of the bacon and your desired level of chewiness. For thicker bacon, you may need to cook for up to 13 minutes. If you prefer your bacon on the crispier side, you can cook it for an additional 2-5 minutes.
Keep in mind that cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer model and size, so it's always a good idea to keep an eye on your bacon to ensure it doesn't burn. Additionally, some air fryers may not require preheating, so be sure to check your specific model's instructions.
Once your bacon is cooked to your desired level of chewiness, remove it from the air fryer and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess grease. Enjoy your delicious, chewy bacon!
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Flip the bacon halfway through for a crisp edge and chewy centre
Cooking chewy bacon in an air fryer is a super easy way to make everyone's favorite breakfast side. It is less messy, quicker than traditional methods, and perfectly crispy every time!
To get that perfect crisp edge and chewy centre, it is important to flip the bacon halfway through the cooking process. This ensures that both sides of the bacon are cooked evenly, resulting in the desired texture.
- Preheat your air fryer: Although some air fryers may not require preheating, doing so can help ensure even cooking. Set your air fryer to 320-350°F (160-180°C) for about 5 minutes.
- Prepare the bacon: Cut the bacon strips into halves or thirds to fit nicely in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overlapping the bacon strips if possible, as this can affect even cooking.
- Add water: Pour about 1 cup (240 ml) of water into the bottom of the air fryer to minimize smoke. Ensure the water does not touch the basket or bacon.
- Cook the bacon: Place the air fryer basket with the bacon inside and set the temperature to 320-400°F (160-200°C). For thinner bacon, cook for 5-8 minutes, and for thicker bacon, cook for 6-10 minutes.
- Flip the bacon: Using tongs, carefully flip each bacon strip over after half the cooking time has elapsed. For example, if your total cook time is 10 minutes, flip the bacon after 5 minutes.
- Finish cooking: Continue cooking the bacon for the remaining time. Keep an eye on it to ensure it doesn't burn. The bacon is ready when it has that perfect crisp edge and chewy centre.
- Drain excess grease: Remove the bacon from the air fryer and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess grease.
By following these steps and flipping the bacon halfway through, you will achieve that perfect crisp edge and chewy centre that makes air fryer bacon so delicious and addictive!
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Drain the bacon on a paper towel and discard excess grease
Once your bacon is cooked to your desired level of chewiness, remove it from the air fryer and place it on a paper towel-lined plate. This will absorb any excess grease. It is important to drain the bacon properly, as placing the cooked bacon directly into a container without draining it first can make it soggy.
If you don't plan to keep the excess grease, you can pour it into a separate container and discard it in the trash once it has cooled off. Do not pour it down the sink, as it may cause blockages. Alternatively, you can place a piece of bread at the bottom of your air fryer to absorb the grease.
Air-frying bacon is a great way to avoid the mess of grease splatters that comes with cooking bacon on a stovetop. It is also quicker than traditional methods and results in evenly cooked, crispy bacon every time.
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Frequently asked questions
The best temperature to cook chewy bacon in an air fryer is 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
It takes 8-10 minutes to cook chewy bacon in an air fryer.
First, lay 4-5 slices of bacon in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not overlap. Set the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 8-10 minutes. If you want your bacon to be chewier, cook for 6 minutes. If you want it crispier, cook for 8-10 minutes.
Use your eyes and nose to determine doneness. If you are still unsure, you can always cut a piece of bacon in half to check.
Pour the leftover bacon grease into a separate container and store it for later use. You can also discard it in the trash once it has cooled down. Do not pour it down the sink.
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