Air-Fryer Bacon: Crispy Perfection Every Time

Cooking bacon in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and mess-free way to achieve crispy, evenly cooked bacon. It is also healthier, as it reduces the amount of fat in your bacon. This method is also more convenient than cooking bacon on a stovetop or in an oven, as it requires less clean-up and no pre-heating.

Preheat the air fryer to 390-400°F (200°C)

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the process of making perfect bacon. By preheating your air fryer to 390-400°F (200°C), you create the ideal environment for cooking bacon that is crispy and tender. This temperature range is higher than the smoke point of bacon fat, which is 400˚F, so it's important to stay within this range to avoid any unwanted smokiness.

To begin, place your air fryer on a flat, heat-resistant surface. Consult your air fryer's manual for specific instructions on how to preheat it to the desired temperature. This step is crucial, as it ensures that your bacon cooks evenly. A consistent temperature throughout the cooking process is key to achieving that delightful crispy texture.

While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your bacon strips. Thick-cut bacon is recommended for air frying, as it provides a superior balance of crispiness and tenderness. However, if you only have regular bacon, that will work too; it will just require a slightly shorter cooking time. Arrange the bacon strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket, being careful not to overlap them. It's alright if there is a little overlap, but make sure there is enough space for the hot air to circulate evenly. This ensures that your bacon cooks uniformly.

Once your air fryer reaches the desired temperature of 390-400°F (200°C), you are ready to move on to the next step of cooking your bacon. Remember, the preheating step is crucial, so don't skip it! A properly preheated air fryer will reward you with bacon that is cooked to perfection.

Lay bacon in a single layer in the basket

When preparing to cook bacon in an air fryer, it is important to lay the bacon strips flat in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they do not overlap. This is to allow the hot air to circulate evenly, resulting in uniform cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer basket, you may need to cut the bacon strips in half to ensure they fit in a single layer without overlapping. It is also important to not overcrowd the basket, as this will prevent the bacon from browning and becoming crispy. A few folds are okay, but it is best to leave some space between each strip.

When arranging the bacon in the air fryer basket, you may want to consider adding some seasoning for extra flavour. Classic choices include black pepper or brown sugar, but you can also experiment with different spices or herbs.

Once the bacon is arranged in the basket, it is time to start the cooking process. Place the loaded basket into the preheated air fryer and set the timer for the desired cooking time, depending on the thickness of the bacon and your desired level of doneness. For softer bacon, air fry at a lower temperature for a shorter amount of time, and for crispy bacon, cook at a higher temperature for a longer period.

After the initial cooking round, carefully remove the air fryer basket and flip the bacon strips over to ensure even cooking on both sides. You can also rearrange them at this point if needed, again being careful not to overcrowd the basket. Return the basket to the air fryer and continue cooking for the desired amount of time, keeping a close eye on the bacon to avoid overcooking.

Don't overcrowd the basket

When making bacon in an air fryer, it's important not to overcrowd the basket. This is because layering in too many slices of bacon prevents the hot air from circulating properly, which is essential for browning and crisping the food. Air fryers work by circulating hot air around each piece of food, so it's important to leave space between each slice of bacon to ensure even cooking.

To avoid overcrowding, it's recommended to arrange the bacon slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. It's okay to have a few folds or overlaps, but try to avoid having the slices stacked on top of each other. If you're cooking a large amount of bacon, you may need to cook it in batches.

By giving the bacon slices enough space, you'll ensure that they cook evenly and become delightfully crispy. This will also help prevent the air fryer from smoking, as proper airflow allows the grease to drip into the tray instead of burning.

Additionally, overcrowding the basket can make it difficult to flip and rearrange the bacon during the cooking process. It's important to flip the bacon halfway through to ensure even cooking on both sides, and having enough space makes this task easier.

In summary, when making bacon in an air fryer, it's crucial not to overcrowd the basket. This ensures proper airflow, even cooking, and helps achieve that perfect crispy texture that we all love.

Cook for 6-12 minutes

Once you've laid the bacon in the air fryer, it's time to set the temperature and timer. For crispy bacon, you'll want to cook it for around 10 minutes at 400°F (200°C). However, the exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of your bacon and your desired level of doneness. For softer bacon, you can reduce the cooking time to 7-9 minutes. It's a good idea to check on the bacon halfway through cooking to see if it needs to be rearranged or flipped. If you're cooking in batches, remember that the air fryer will already be heated for the second batch, so the cooking time may be slightly quicker.

While the bacon is cooking, you can prepare a plate or rack lined with paper towels to drain the excess grease from the cooked bacon. This step is crucial to ensuring your bacon stays crispy and not greasy.

Drain excess grease with paper towels

When it comes to making perfect bacon in an air fryer, draining the excess grease with paper towels is an essential step. Here's a detailed guide on how to do it:

After your bacon has finished cooking in the air fryer, it's time to remove it from the appliance. Use tongs or a fork to carefully transfer the crispy bacon strips from the air fryer basket onto a plate or a rack. It's important to line the plate or rack with paper towels, which will absorb any residual grease. This step ensures that your bacon doesn't become overly greasy and retains its desired crispiness.

Allow the bacon to rest for a few minutes. This resting period serves two purposes. Firstly, it gives any remaining excess grease a chance to drain off. Secondly, it provides additional time for the bacon to crisp up even further, enhancing that delightful texture.

By following this crucial step of draining excess grease with paper towels, you ensure that your bacon remains crisp, delicious, and not soaked in oil. It's a simple yet effective technique that makes all the difference in achieving that perfect bacon texture.

Frequently asked questions