Make Bacon In A Power Air-Fryer Oven: Quick, Crispy, Delicious!

Cooking bacon in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and mess-free way to make perfectly crispy bacon. It's faster than cooking bacon in an oven and doesn't require you to stand over a hot skillet. The air fryer also eliminates the need to preheat, making it more energy-efficient. Plus, you get those beautiful, curly, crispy strips that oven-baked bacon often lacks.

How long to cook the bacon

The cooking time for bacon in an air fryer will depend on the type of bacon being used, the desired crispiness, and the style of the air fryer.

For regular cut bacon, air fry at 350–360°F for 7–9 minutes for softer bacon, and 8–9 minutes for crispy bacon. For thick-cut bacon, air fry at 350–360°F for 9–10 minutes for softer bacon, and 10–12 minutes for crispy bacon.

One source recommends preheating the air fryer to 390°F and cooking the bacon for 8 minutes, then flipping it and cooking for a further 7 minutes. Another source recommends cooking thick-cut bacon at 400°F for 10–12 minutes.

How to prevent the air fryer from smoking

Air fryers are a great way to cook bacon, but they can sometimes fill your kitchen with smoke. Here are some tips to prevent this from happening:

Firstly, make sure your air fryer is clean. Leftover grease or residue from previous uses can cause the air fryer to smoke. The residue can overheat and release smoke, so it's important to clean the air fryer regularly, especially after cooking greasy foods. Remove the basket and drawer, and use a paper towel to wipe away any excess oil. You can also place the components in a soapy water bath and scrub them with a soft sponge.

Secondly, when cooking fatty foods like bacon, you can add a tablespoon of water to the bottom of the air fryer. This will prevent the grease from getting too hot and smoking. Alternatively, you can use a slice of bread to absorb the excess grease. Place the bread at the bottom of the air fryer, and it will soak up the grease, preventing it from bubbling up and smoking.

Another thing to keep in mind is the type of oil or fat you are using. Different oils have different smoke points, so make sure to use an oil with a smoke point above 400 degrees Fahrenheit, such as avocado oil, peanut oil, or safflower oil.

Additionally, avoid overcrowding the basket. Layering too many slices of bacon can prevent proper air circulation and affect the cooking process, leading to potential smoking.

Finally, always use parchment paper or some other cover to make clean-up easier and prevent grease from building up.

By following these tips, you can enjoy your crispy bacon without the smoke!

How to store leftover bacon

Now you've cooked your bacon in the air fryer, you might be wondering what to do with any leftovers. Here's how to store them safely and deliciously.

Short-term storage

If you're storing your bacon for a few hours, the oven is your friend. Set the temperature to 200ºF and centre a baking rack. Lay your cooked bacon on a baking sheet and place it in the oven. This will keep your bacon crispy and warm for a few hours.

If you don't want to use the oven, avoid covering your bacon with a lid, bowl, or anything airtight. This will trap steam and ruin the bacon's crunch. Instead, use a breathable towel to cover it.

Medium-term storage

If you're storing your bacon for a few days, you'll need to use the refrigerator. Ideally, the temperature should be at or below 40ºF to slow the growth of harmful bacteria.

First, let the bacon cool to room temperature. Then, place it in an airtight bag, removing as much air as possible before sealing and refrigerating. It will stay fresh for up to five days.

Long-term storage

For long-term storage, use the freezer. As with medium-term storage, let the bacon cool to room temperature before sealing it in an airtight bag. It will stay fresh for about a month.

Reheating

When it comes to reheating your bacon, you can use the oven, stovetop, microwave, or air fryer.

• Oven: Preheat the oven to 400ºF and lay the bacon on a foil-lined baking sheet. Heat for around five minutes, or until you hear your bacon begin to sizzle.
• Stovetop: Turn the burner to medium-high heat and place a frying pan on top. Once the pan is hot, place a single layer of bacon inside and heat for a few minutes.
• Microwave: Place the bacon on a microwave-safe dish lined with a paper towel and cover with another paper towel. Heat for around 10 seconds per slice.
• Air fryer: Set your fryer to 350ºF and cook the bacon for three to four minutes. Keep an eye on it, as it will burn quickly!

How to reheat leftover bacon

Reheating bacon in an air fryer is a great way to make your leftovers crispy again. Here is a step-by-step guide to ensure your bacon is heated through and deliciously crispy.

Preparation

First, ensure your bacon is at room temperature. Remove it from the refrigerator and let it sit for about 15 minutes. This will ensure even heating when you put it in the air fryer.

Preheat the Air Fryer

Set your air fryer to between 350 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a lower temperature than you would use for cooking raw bacon. As the bacon is already cooked, a lower temperature will ensure it heats through without burning.

Arrange the Bacon in the Air Fryer Basket

Place the bacon slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer. It is fine if there is a little overlap, but try not to overcrowd the basket. This will ensure the hot air can circulate and crisp up the bacon.

Reheat the Bacon

Cook the bacon for 2-5 minutes. Check it after 2 minutes and keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking. Turn each slice over halfway through the cooking time. The bacon is ready when it is hot and crispy.

Tips

• Thicker bacon slices may need a higher temperature, up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• For frozen precooked bacon, add 1-2 minutes to the cooking time.
• If the bacon is not quite crispy enough, finish cooking in 30-second increments until it reaches your desired crispness.
• Pat off excess grease with paper towels for optimal crispiness.
• Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the bacon in batches. If so, drain the drip tray between batches to prevent excessive smoking.

What to do with cooked bacon

Now that you've cooked your bacon in an air fryer, what can you do with it? Here are some ideas:

Breakfast

• Bacon, egg, and cheese (BEC) sandwich
• Bacon weave breakfast tacos
• Breakfast bombs
• Copycat Cracker Barrel hash brown casserole
• Crispy hash brown-crusted bacon and cheddar quiche
• Bacon banana bread
• Bacon oatmeal
• Bacon egg sandwich
• Bacon weave s'mores
• Maple bacon cinnamon rolls
• Bacon chocolate roses

Lunch

• BLT
• Club sandwich
• Burger
• Salad
• Bacon avocado fries
• Bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers
• Cheesy bacon spinach dip
• BLT egglets
• Cobb Club sandwich
• Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders
• Loaded potato skins
• Garlic herb wedge salad

Dinner

• Bacon-wrapped meatloaf
• Beef bourguignon
• Bacon cannoli
• Creamy asparagus bacon gnocchi
• Coq au vin
• Bacon-wrapped steak
• Bacon fried rice
• Bacon buns
• Bacon meatballs
• Bacon-wrapped scallops
• Bacon-wrapped trout
• Spaghetti carbonara
• Pasta frittata
• Bacon pizza
• Bacon quesadillas
• Bacon grits

Snacks and Appetisers

• Bacon guacamole
• Cheesy bacon popcorn
• Warm bacon slaw
• Bacon kraut
• Bacon Reuben spread
• Bacon-apple sandwiches
• Bacon butter
• PB&B sandwich
• Croque Monsieur
• Bacon-wrapped dates
• Bacon nuts
• Bacon-beer mussels
• Bacon burgers
• Bacon-sage patties
• Bacon parm crackers
• Bacon-wrapped steak
• Bacon fried rice
• Bacon buns
• Bacon meatballs
• Bacon-wrapped scallops
• Bacon-wrapped trout
• Bacon-wrapped dates
• Bacon Brussels sprouts
• Warm bacon vinaigrette
• Spinach-bacon salad
• Bistro salad
• Bacon brittle

Sides and Salads

• Baked beans
• Bacon fried cabbage
• Bacon Brussels sprouts
• Bacon vinaigrette
• Spinach-bacon salad
• Bistro salad
• BLT pasta
• Pasta Amatriciana
• Bacon potato pancake

Desserts

• Maple bacon cinnamon rolls
• Bacon weave s'mores
• Maple bacon cinnamon rolls
• Bacon chocolate roses

Frequently asked questions