Air-Fryer Bacon And Sausage: Quick, Crispy Breakfast

Cooking bacon and sausages in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and delicious way to prepare these foods. The air fryer's high heat ensures a crispy exterior and juicy interior for sausages, while bacon cooks to a perfect crisp in under 10 minutes.

The air fryer's convenience extends beyond its speed and delicious results; it's also less messy than cooking bacon or sausages in a skillet or frying pan. There's no need to preheat the air fryer, and the cleanup is minimal.

So, whether you're preparing a batch of breakfast sausages or whipping up some crispy bacon for a BLT, the air fryer is a fantastic option.

How to make bacon crispy in an air fryer

Making bacon crispy in an air fryer is a quick and easy process. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer

Before you start cooking, ensure your air fryer is ready to go. Some air fryers recommend preheating, but it is not necessary for bacon. However, if your air fryer suggests preheating, set it to 350˚F-360˚F for 3 minutes.

Step 2: Arrange the Bacon

Place your bacon strips in the air fryer basket. For best results, arrange the bacon in a single layer, ensuring the strips are not overlapping. Cut the strips in half if needed to fit more bacon in the basket, but avoid overcrowding to allow for even cooking.

Step 3: Set the Temperature and Time

If you like softer bacon, set your air fryer to 350˚F. For crispier bacon, set the temperature to 400˚F. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your bacon and your desired level of crispiness. For regular bacon, cook for 7-9 minutes, checking halfway through. For thick-cut bacon, cook for 9-12 minutes.

Step 4: Cook the Bacon

Place the basket in the air fryer and let it work its magic! There is no need to flip the bacon during cooking, as the circulating air will ensure even cooking.

Step 5: Serve the Bacon

Once the bacon is cooked to your desired level of crispiness, use tongs to transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate. This will help absorb any excess grease. Enjoy your crispy bacon as part of a delicious breakfast or in your favourite recipes!

Tips for Crispy Bacon:

• Keep the drip tray clean before and after cooking to prevent smoking.
• Avoid cooking at temperatures above the smoke point of bacon fat (400˚F).
• If your air fryer smokes, try adding a slice of bread to the drip tray to absorb excess fat.

How to cook bacon in an air fryer without preheating

Ingredients:

Bacon

Utensils:

• Air fryer
• Tongs or spatula
• Paper towels (optional)

Method:

• Place the bacon strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cut the strips in half if they don't fit.
• Set the temperature to 350˚F for softer bacon or 400˚F for crispier bacon.
• Air fry for 7-10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the bacon and your desired level of crispiness.
• Check the bacon halfway through the cooking process and flip it over if it is curling.
• Once the bacon is browned and has reached your desired level of crispiness, transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess grease.
• If cooking bacon in batches, be sure to discard any oil in the drip pan before repeating the process.

Tips:

• There is no need to preheat the air fryer for bacon.
• The bacon will release grease, so there is no need to add oil to the bacon or the tray of the air fryer.
• To prevent smoking, cook at 350˚F, as the smoke point of bacon fat is 400˚F.
• If cooking in batches, be sure to drain the drip pan of any oil and wipe clean with a paper towel between batches.

How to cook sausages in an air fryer without drying them out

Ingredients:

• 4 uncooked sausages (any kind)
• 4 thick Cumberland sausages or 6 thin sausages
• Parchment paper (optional)

Method:

Firstly, it is important to note that you can cook any kind of sausages in an air fryer, from thin breakfast ones to thick ones like Cumberland or Italian sausages. You can even cook bacon and sausages together in the air fryer, but note that the cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the sausages and bacon.

If you are cooking sausages and bacon together, place them on opposite sides of the air fryer. Set the air fryer to 180°C and cook for 8 minutes. Then, turn the sausages and bacon with tongs and air fry for another 4 minutes at 200°C or until they are crispy to your liking.

If you are cooking sausages on their own, the process is very similar. Place the sausages in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overlapping. Set the air fryer to 400°C and cook for 8-12 minutes, depending on the thickness of your sausages.

It is important to note that you should not pierce holes in the sausages before cooking, as this will cause the juices to seep out and the sausages to dry out. However, some recipes suggest poking the sausages a few times with a sharp knife to release more fat. If you choose to do this, be careful not to poke all the way through the casing.

After cooking, the sausages should be golden brown on the outside and have an internal temperature of 160°F if cooking from raw. Cut into one of the sausages to ensure it is not pink inside before serving.

And that's it! You now have perfectly cooked sausages that are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, without having to worry about them drying out.

How to cook frozen sausages in an air fryer

Cooking frozen sausages in an air fryer is a quick and easy process that can be done in 15 minutes or less.

Step-by-Step Guide:

• Preheat the air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F/180°C for at least 5 minutes.
• Place the frozen sausages in the air fryer basket: Don't worry if your sausages are frozen together. You can use a spray oil on the basket or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Defrost the sausages: Put the air fryer basket into the air fryer and cook for 2-5 minutes to defrost.
• Separate the sausages: After defrosting, use a fork to separate the sausages gently.
• Distribute the sausages evenly: Place the sausages back in the air fryer basket, ensuring enough space for heat and oil to circulate around each sausage.
• Cook the sausages: Set the temperature to 360°F/180°C for thinner sausages or 390°F/200°C for thicker sausages. Cook for 4 minutes, then rotate and cook for an additional 4-10 minutes, depending on your desired level of crispiness.
• Check the sausages' internal temperature: To ensure they are cooked thoroughly, use an instant-read thermometer to check that the sausages have reached an internal temperature of 165°F/74°C.
• Serve: Enjoy your juicy, tender, and perfectly cooked sausages with your favourite sauces and sides!

Tips for Best Results:

• If your sausages are stuck together after the initial defrosting stage, separate them before continuing cooking.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking.
• Flip or rotate your sausages halfway through the cooking process.
• Adjust the temperature and cook time depending on the thickness of your sausages. Thinner sausages cook quicker at a higher temperature, while thicker sausages may need a lower temperature to avoid burning.
• For extra crispy sausages, cook for a few additional minutes, but keep a close eye on them to avoid overcooking.

Storing and Reheating:

• Sausages are best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
• Reheat leftovers in the air fryer at 360°F/180°C for a few minutes, or cut them into bite-sized pieces for faster and even heating.

Now you're ready to cook delicious frozen sausages in your air fryer!

How to cook sausage patties in an air fryer

Ingredients

Sausage patties

Utensils

• Air fryer
• Tongs
• Pan (to catch drippings)
• Instant meat thermometer (optional)

Instructions

• Place the sausage patties in a single layer in the air fryer basket, allowing plenty of air to circulate around them.
• Set the temperature to 180°C/360°F.
• Cook for 10 to 12 minutes.
• Flip the sausage patties halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking.
• If desired, check the internal temperature of the sausage patties with an instant meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 160°F/73°C to be fully cooked.
• Once cooked to your desired level of doneness, transfer the sausage patties to a plate and serve.

Tips

• You can cook the sausage patties from frozen, but it may increase the cooking time.
• No need to preheat the air fryer.
• Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leave space between each sausage patty to allow for proper air circulation.
• You can cook bacon and sausage patties together in the air fryer, but the cooking time may vary depending on the size of the sausage patties.

Frequently asked questions