Ella Walter
Turkey bacon cooked in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and healthier alternative to traditional frying methods. It is also less messy and easier to clean up. The air fryer is perfect for achieving the desired level of crispiness without the need for added oil. The cooking time is usually around 10 minutes, with the temperature set at 360°F (about 180°C). The bacon strips should be placed in a single layer in the air fryer basket and flipped halfway through the cooking process. This method yields crispy and crunchy bacon that can be served with a variety of dishes, making it a versatile option for breakfast, salads, and sandwiches.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 350°F-400°F (177°C-204°C) |
| Cooking Time | 5-10 minutes |
| Cooking Method | Place slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket, flipping halfway through |
| Oil | Optional, but recommended for crispiness |
| Storage | Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days |
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What You'll Learn
Preheat air fryer to 360°F-400°F
Preheat your air fryer to 360°F-400°F. This will take around 3-5 minutes, depending on your model. You can lightly spray the inside of the air fryer basket with oil to prevent the turkey bacon from drying out and sticking to the basket. Turkey bacon is leaner than traditional pork bacon, so it won't render much fat during cooking. The oil will also help to get your bacon nice and crispy.
Once preheated, place your turkey bacon slices in the air fryer basket. It's important to ensure the slices are arranged in a single layer and do not overlap, so they cook evenly. If you have a lot of bacon or a smaller air fryer, you may need to cook the bacon in multiple batches.
Cooking times may vary slightly depending on your air fryer and how crispy you like your bacon. For regular turkey bacon, set the timer for 5-6 minutes. For uncured bacon that's on the wider side, cook for 8-9 minutes. Always remember to flip your bacon halfway through the cooking time. If you like your bacon extra crispy, cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
Once the bacon is done to your liking, carefully remove the strips from the air fryer and enjoy!
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Lay turkey bacon in a single layer
When placing the turkey bacon in the air fryer, it is important to lay the slices in a single layer. This is to ensure that the hot air circulates evenly around each slice, cooking them uniformly. If you have a lot of bacon to cook, you may need to cook it in batches.
To cook in batches, first, decide how many slices of bacon your air fryer basket can accommodate in a single layer without overlapping. Place this amount of bacon in the basket, set the timer, and cook. Once the bacon is done, remove it from the air fryer and repeat the process with the remaining slices.
It is important not to overcrowd the air fryer basket. If the bacon slices overlap or stack, the hot air will not be able to circulate properly, and the bacon will not cook evenly. This will result in some slices being undercooked while others are overcooked.
Additionally, when cooking in batches, it is a good idea to leave a little bit of space between each slice of bacon. Since turkey bacon does not render much fat during cooking, it will only shrink slightly. By leaving a small gap between the slices, you can ensure that they have room to shrink without touching the neighbouring slices.
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Cook for 5 minutes, then flip
So, you've preheated your air fryer to 360°F/180°C, or 350°F/177°C, and you've placed your turkey bacon slices inside, ensuring they form a single layer and don't overlap. Now, it's time to step back and let the air fryer do its magic. Set a timer for 5 minutes and let the bacon cook.
When the timer goes off, open the air fryer and use plastic-tipped tongs to flip each bacon strip. This helps to ensure you don't scratch the air fryer or burn your wrist. It's also important to remember not to overcrowd the air fryer basket. If you have a lot of bacon, it's better to cook it in batches so that it cooks evenly.
At this point, you'll want to assess the bacon's progress. Is it turning golden brown and starting to fold slightly? If so, you're on the right track. If not, don't worry; simply set the timer for another 5 minutes and check again when the time is up. The total cooking time for turkey bacon in an air fryer is typically around 10 minutes, but this may vary depending on your desired level of crispiness and the model of your air fryer.
If you're an extra crispy bacon lover, you might want to add another 2-3 minutes to the cooking time. Remember, it's always better to check on the bacon's progress and add more time if needed, rather than overcooking it and ending up with burnt bacon.
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Cook for another 3-5 minutes
Once you've preheated your air fryer to 360°F (about 180°C), it's time to cook the bacon. Place the turkey bacon pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. If you're cooking for a few people, you can add some hash browns and scrambled eggs to the air fryer too.
Now, air fry the bacon for 4-5 minutes, flipping the strips over halfway through. If you want extra crispy bacon, you can cook it for an additional 2-3 minutes.
After the initial 4-5 minutes, it's time for the final cooking stage. Air fry the bacon for another 3-5 minutes, depending on how crispy you like it. If you're using a higher temperature of 390°F or 400°F , you should only need to cook the bacon for 5 minutes in total on this second stage.
If you're looking for a sweet twist, try drizzling the bacon with maple syrup before serving. For extra crispiness, add 1-2 minutes to the total cooking time.
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Season or drizzle with maple syrup
If you're looking to add a sweet twist to your air fryer turkey bacon, consider seasoning or drizzling it with maple syrup. This can be done in a few different ways, depending on the time you have and the flavour you're aiming for.
One option is to create a marinade by mixing maple syrup with brown sugar, black pepper, and mustard powder. You can then brush or soak your raw bacon slices with the marinade and cook them in the air fryer as usual. This will result in a sweet and salty flavour. If you want to enhance the fragrance of the maple syrup, opt for unsmoked bacon.
Another method is to cook the bacon first and then brush it with maple syrup. Heat your air fryer to 400°F and place a single layer of pre-cooked bacon strips in the basket. Brush the top of each strip with maple syrup, cook for 30 seconds, then flip and repeat on the other side. Repeat this process of brushing and cooking until the bacon reaches your desired level of candied crispness. This method will give you bacon that is sweet and salty but still heavier on the savoury side.
If you're short on time, you can simply drizzle or brush your cooked air fryer turkey bacon with maple syrup before serving. This will add a sweet touch to the savoury bacon without altering the texture. You can also sprinkle on some black pepper or chilli flakes for an extra kick of flavour.
Whichever method you choose, remember that the key to successful air fryer turkey bacon is to cook the bacon in a single layer and flip it halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking. Enjoy experimenting with this sweet and savoury breakfast treat!
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Frequently asked questions
It takes about 10 minutes to cook turkey bacon in an air fryer. This includes 5 minutes on each side, flipping the bacon halfway through the cooking time.
The ideal temperature for cooking turkey bacon in an air fryer is 360°F (180-182°C).
Place leftover turkey bacon in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
