Emilie Meyer
Cooking bacon rashers in an air fryer is a quick, convenient, and energy-efficient method that delivers delicious, crispy bacon. The air fryer is also a less messy option as it collects grease underneath the basket in a drawer, preventing splatters in the kitchen. The cooking time depends on the type of bacon and the desired crispiness, but the general method is to lay the rashers in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook at a temperature between 180°C and 200°C for around 8 to 10 minutes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 180°C (350°F) or 200°C (390°F) |
| Time | 8-10 minutes, or 12-15 minutes for thicker slices |
| Overlap | Overlapping is fine, but don't lay rashers on top of each other |
| Oil | Not required |
| Foil | Can be used to line the drip pan to catch grease |
| Grease | Draining grease can prevent smoking |
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What You'll Learn
Temperature and timing
The temperature and timing for cooking bacon rashers in an air fryer depend on the type of bacon and the desired level of crispiness. It is recommended to cook the rashers in a single layer, with some overlap allowed, and to use no oil or butter. The cooking time will also depend on the size of your air fryer and the number of rashers you are cooking.
For regular cut packaged bacon rashers, it is recommended to cook at 180°C (350°F) for 8 to 10 minutes. If you want crispier bacon, you can cook it for an additional 2 minutes. However, be aware that cooking at a higher temperature may cause some smoke.
For thicker cuts of bacon, you will need to increase the cooking time. One source recommends cooking at 180°C (350°F) for 12-15 minutes, while another suggests 390°F (200°C) for 8 minutes, flipping halfway, and then cooking for an additional 6-7 minutes.
If you are cooking thin-cut bacon, check the bacon after 5-6 minutes as it will cook faster. For streaky rashers that are cut thin, adjust the cooking time to 8-10 minutes.
To ensure your bacon is cooked to your desired level of crispiness, it is recommended to keep an eye on it and cook it to your liking. You can always cook it for a little longer if you want it crispier.
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Overlapping rashers
Cooking bacon rashers in an air fryer is a quick, convenient, and energy-efficient way to get delicious, crispy rashers. It is also less messy than cooking bacon on a stovetop or in an oven, as the grease collects in the drawer underneath the basket, which can simply be tipped to pour off.
To cook bacon rashers in an air fryer, first preheat the air fryer for 3 minutes at 200°C (390°F). Place the rashers directly into the basket in a single layer, with some overlap if necessary. It is fine if the rashers are touching but try not to overlap them too much, as this will prevent them from crisping up. You can fit more rashers in by using a trivet or a rack to add more layers.
Cook the rashers for 5 minutes, then drain any fat and flip them over. If you want to avoid back bacon curling up, use scissors to cut the fat layer slightly. Cook for another 2 to 3 minutes for extra crispy rashers. If you prefer your bacon less crispy, you can skip this step.
For thicker rashers, you may need to increase the cooking time. You can check if the rashers are crispy enough and cook them for a little longer if needed, checking every 2 minutes. For a crumbling texture, drain again at the 7-minute mark and add another 2 minutes of cooking.
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Using foil or parchment paper
If you use foil or parchment paper, be sure to keep the temperature at 350°F (180°C) to prevent smoking. You can also add water to the bottom of the air fryer to prevent smoke.
If you don't use foil or parchment paper, you can use a baster to remove grease from the fryer, or simply tip the drawer to pour it out.
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Different types of bacon
To cook bacon rashers in an air fryer, you can follow these simple steps:
- Preheat your air fryer for 3 minutes at 200°C (390°F) on 'air fryer' mode.
- Place your bacon rashers directly into the basket in a single layer. It's fine if they touch but avoid overlapping them.
- Cook for 5 minutes.
- Drain the fat, and flip the rashers over.
- For back bacon, cut a small slit through the fat layer to prevent curling.
- Cook for another 2-3 minutes for extra crispy bacon.
- For bacon that's perfect for crumbling, drain again after 7 minutes and add another 2 minutes of cooking.
Now, onto the different types of bacon you can cook in your air fryer. Firstly, it's important to know that bacon is produced from different cuts of pork that are cured, or preserved, using salts, or a mixture of salts and sugars. Smoking is not a curing method but rather a way to add flavour and extend shelf life.
- Streaky Bacon: Also known as American bacon, this is cut from the pork belly and is usually sold in streaks. It is a long, fatty cut that is often cooked to a crisp.
- Back Bacon: This is the most popular cut of bacon in the UK and is produced from pork loin. It is very lean, particularly the eye of the loin, and is shaped like an apostrophe. Rashers are cut from the loin and are a staple of the traditional Irish breakfast.
- Canadian Bacon: This is a type of back bacon made from pork loin. It is leaner than regular bacon and is cured and smoked, giving it a flavour closer to ham. It is often served with eggs Benedict.
- Pancetta: This is an Italian-style bacon, often consumed raw. It is made from pork belly and is often chopped up and added to pasta or sandwiches.
- Lap Yuk: Also known as Chinese bacon, this is made from pork belly and cured with a mixture of soy sauce, sugar, cinnamon, and star anise. It is then hung up and air-dried for several days before being sliced.
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Crispy vs. lightly cooked
When it comes to cooking bacon rashers in your air fryer, the timing and temperature will depend on whether you prefer your bacon crispy or lightly cooked.
For crispy bacon rashers, it is recommended to cook at a temperature of between 180°C and 200°C (350°F and 390°F). The cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of your bacon rashers, but generally, it will take between 8 and 15 minutes for your bacon to be nice and crispy. For example, if you are cooking streaky rashers, which are cut thin, they will cook faster, whereas thicker slices of bacon may need up to 15 minutes. You should also flip the rashers halfway through the cooking time to ensure they crisp up on both sides. If you are using an air fryer with a crisping rack, there is no need to flip the rashers.
If you prefer your bacon rashers lightly cooked, you can follow the same initial steps of preheating your air fryer and placing the rashers in a single layer in the basket. However, instead of cooking for a full 5 minutes, you should only cook the rashers for 3 to 4 minutes on one side, drain the fat, and then turn them over. At this point, your bacon rashers will be lightly cooked and ready to eat.
It's important to note that the cooking time may vary slightly depending on your specific air fryer model and your personal preference for doneness. Be sure to keep an eye on your bacon rashers to avoid overcooking or burning them.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes between 5 and 10 minutes to cook bacon rashers in an air fryer. The time varies depending on the type of bacon and the desired crispiness.
The optimal temperature for cooking bacon rashers in an air fryer is 180°C (350°F). Cooking at a higher temperature may cause smoke.
To prevent smoking, line the drip pan with foil or parchment paper, and set the temperature to no more than 350°F (180°C). Clean the grease from the drip pan before cooking another batch.
Preheat the air fryer for 3 minutes at 200°C (390°F). Place the rashers in a single layer, with some overlap allowed. Cook for 5 minutes, then drain and flip the rashers. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes for crispy bacon.
Yes, you can cook frozen bacon rashers in an air fryer. Adjust the cooking time accordingly, and keep an eye on the rashers to avoid overcooking.
