Tiffany Haney
Cooking bacon in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make delicious, crispy bacon with minimal cleanup. If you prefer softer bacon, simply reduce the cooking time by a minute or two. The air fryer method is less messy than cooking bacon on a stovetop or in an oven, and there's no need to preheat the oven. You can also cook bacon in batches, making it a convenient option for preparing a large breakfast spread.
How to Cook Soft Bacon in an Air Fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 320-390˚F (160-200˚C) |
| Time | 5-10 minutes |
| Bacon type | Regular or thick-cut |
| Amount | 1-6 slices |
| Layer | Single |
| Overlap | Yes or no |
| Flip | Yes or no |
| Clean-up | Drain excess grease |
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What You'll Learn
Optimal temperature and timing for soft bacon
To cook soft bacon in an air fryer, preheat your air fryer for 3 to 5 minutes. Place your bacon slices directly in the basket in a single layer. The edges of the bacon can touch as they will shrink down a lot, so fit in as much bacon as you can in one layer.
The optimal temperature for cooking soft bacon is 320 to 350˚F. The smoke point of bacon fat is 400˚F, so air frying at 350˚F avoids any smokiness while cooking bacon. If you want softer bacon, set the timer for 6 to 8 minutes. For crispy bacon, air fry for 7 to 12 minutes.
If you are cooking only one or two slices of bacon, you may not need the full 12 minutes to make crispy bacon in your air fryer. For crispy bacon, you can cook for 5 minutes, drain the fat, turn over, and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. For soft bacon, reduce the cooking time by a minute or two.
After cooking, remove the bacon from the air fryer and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess grease.
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Placing bacon in the air fryer basket
When placing bacon in the air fryer basket, it is important to arrange the bacon strips in a single layer. You can cut the bacon strips in half to ensure they fit in a single layer, and you can also cut them to fit more in the basket. The edges of the bacon can touch as they will shrink during cooking, but try not to overlap the slices or let them lie on top of each other. If you are cooking a large batch of bacon, you may need to cook the bacon in batches, draining the drip pan of any oil and wiping it clean with a paper towel between batches.
You can also add a slice of bread to the bottom of the air fryer to absorb any grease and prevent smoking, but this only works with basket-style air fryers. Alternatively, you can add a cup of water to the bottom of the basket to reduce smoking.
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Reducing smoke and grease
To reduce smoke and grease while cooking soft bacon in an air fryer, consider the following tips:
Firstly, line the outer basket of the air fryer with aluminium foil to catch the grease drippings. This will help contain the mess and make cleanup easier. Preheat the air fryer to a suitable temperature, typically between 350°F and 390°F, as higher temperatures may cause excess smoke.
Secondly, cut the bacon strips in half to ensure even cooking and a single layer in the basket. Place the bacon in the air fryer basket, ensuring minimal overlap. Cooking bacon at a lower temperature, such as 300°F to 350°F, for a longer duration, approximately 15-20 minutes, can help reduce smoke and allow the fat and lean parts to cook thoroughly. Flip the bacon halfway through for even cooking.
Additionally, consider adding a thin slice of bread to the bottom of the air fryer, beneath the basket, to absorb grease and reduce smoke. If cooking in batches, remember to drain the drip pan of any excess grease and wipe it clean with a paper towel.
Finally, transfer the cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any remaining grease before serving. This will help reduce the amount of grease that ends up on your plate and minimise the mess.
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Reheating and storing soft bacon
Reheating soft bacon in an air fryer
The air fryer is a great way to reheat soft bacon. It is important to note that reheating bacon can lead to a splattering mess, with pieces that quickly burn to a crisp. To avoid this, set your air fryer to around 350 degrees Fahrenheit—a lower temperature than that used to cook raw bacon. As the bacon is already cooked, a higher heat will cause it to burn quickly.
Arrange the bacon so that each piece is not overlapping to ensure even reheating. Place the bacon on the mesh rack and heat for about 3 to 5 minutes, checking every 2 minutes to avoid overcooking and turning each piece. The total cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the bacon.
Storing soft bacon
Soft bacon can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer to be enjoyed within the next few days or the next month, respectively. When stored at or below 40ºF, the growth of harmful bacteria is slowed, helping to prevent the bacon from spoiling.
Before placing the bacon in the refrigerator or freezer, allow it to cool to room temperature. This will limit the formation of condensation after sealing, helping the bacon stay crispy. Once cooled, place the bacon in an airtight bag and store it in the refrigerator or freezer.
If you are storing the bacon in the freezer, you will need to defrost it before reheating. You can defrost the bacon in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours or in the microwave if you are in a rush.
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Using bread to absorb grease
Cooking bacon in an air fryer is a great way to make crispy bacon with minimal cleanup. To cook softer bacon, simply reduce the cooking time by a minute or two.
A common issue with cooking bacon is the grease splatters that can occur, leaving your stovetop messy. To avoid this issue, you can place a thin slice of bread at the bottom of the air fryer to absorb the grease. This method is also said to simplify cleaning and reduce smoking.
To use this method, place a thin slice of bread flat at the bottom of the air fryer, beneath the basket. It is important to note that this method only works with basket-style air fryers. The bread will absorb the grease that drips from the bacon, reducing the mess and simplifying the cleanup process.
In addition to using bread, you can also line the outer basket of the air fryer with aluminium foil to catch the grease drippings. This creates a barrier that prevents the grease from sticking to the air fryer, making cleanup easier.
By utilising these methods, you can minimise the amount of grease that escapes and simplify the cleanup process, making your bacon-cooking experience more enjoyable and less messy.
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Frequently asked questions
Set your air fryer to 320-350˚F and cook for 5-8 minutes. For softer bacon, reduce the cooking time by one minute.
The smoke point of bacon fat is 400˚F, so air frying at 350˚F or lower will prevent smoking. Adding 1 cup of water to the bottom of the air fryer basket or placing a slice of bread beneath the basket can also help to reduce smoking.
This depends on the size of your air fryer. Most air fryers can fit 5-6 slices of bacon at a time, but larger air fryers may be able to fit up to 8 slices.
No, bacon contains enough fat that it will cook in its own grease.
Preheat your air fryer for 3-5 minutes before adding the bacon.
