Tillie Doyle
Cooking bacon in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and mess-free way to achieve crispy bacon. It is also a convenient method when cooking for one or two people. The air fryer's excellent circulation of hot air cooks food quickly and efficiently, browning and crisping it to perfection. The grease collects in the bottom of the basket, making it easy to discard or repurpose. The ideal temperature for cooking bacon in an air fryer is 350ºF (175ºC) for around 10 minutes, but this can vary depending on the thickness of the bacon and the style of the air fryer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 350-400˚F (175-200˚C) |
| Cook Time | 7-13 minutes |
| Preheat | Not necessary |
| Flip Bacon | No |
| Clean-up | Easy |
| Grease | Collected in the drawer |
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What You'll Learn
Air fryer temperature settings
For regular cut bacon, the temperature setting should be 350˚F. For softer bacon, cook for 7 minutes, and for crispy bacon, increase the cooking time to 8-9 minutes.
Thick-cut bacon requires a slightly longer cooking time. Set the temperature to 350˚F, and cook for 9-10 minutes for softer bacon, or 10-12 minutes for crispy bacon.
Some air fryers may recommend preheating, but this is generally unnecessary for bacon. Additionally, there is no need to flip the bacon halfway through cooking, as the circulating air ensures even cooking.
If you prefer your bacon well done, you can overlap the slices in the air fryer basket, but this will increase the cooking time. For thick-cut bacon, you may need to cook in batches to ensure even cooking.
For thin-cut bacon, check the air fryer after 5-6 minutes to avoid overcooking.
Adjusting the temperature settings slightly can also impact the cooking time. For example, cooking at 375˚F for 8 minutes will yield similar results to cooking at 350˚F for 9-10 minutes.
Experiment with different temperature and timing combinations to find your preferred level of crispiness, but always ensure the temperature remains below 400˚F to prevent smoking.
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How to avoid a mess
Cooking bacon in an air fryer is a lot less messy than cooking it on a stovetop or in an oven. This is because the excess grease drips off the bacon as it cooks, collecting underneath the basket in a drawer, which can then simply be tipped to pour off.
However, to ensure your air fryer doesn't get greasy, there are a few extra steps you can take. One option is to use parchment paper or air fryer liners to catch the grease. You can also place a thin slice of bread at the bottom of the basket (this only works in basket-style air fryers) to absorb grease and simplify cleaning. If you don't want to use bread, you can place a few sheets of paper towel at the bottom of the basket to soak up any grease.
To avoid a mess when transferring the bacon to a plate, use tongs to carefully remove the bacon from the basket and place it on a paper towel-lined plate.
Finally, if you are cooking in batches, be sure to drain the drip pan of any oil and wipe it clean with a paper towel between batches.
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How to clean the air fryer
Cooking bacon in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get crispy bacon with minimal cleanup. The grease collects underneath the basket in a drawer, so there are no grease splatters in the kitchen, and it is easy to discard.
To clean your air fryer, start by letting it cool down and unplugging it from the power outlet. Then, remove the basket, pan, or tray and wash it in the sink with warm water and mild dish soap. Set the basket aside to dry overnight. Next, wipe down the interior of the fryer, including the heating element, with a damp, soapy cloth, sponge, or paper towel. Wipe the interior again with a clean, damp cloth, and then a dry cloth. Finally, wipe the exterior of the fryer with a soft cloth. Ensure everything is completely dry before reassembling.
It is recommended to clean your air fryer after each use to prevent the buildup of grease, food particles, and unpleasant odors. Deep cleaning can be done occasionally or once a month, depending on the usage and type of food cooked. For deep cleaning, fill the tray with 2-3 inches of water, add liquid soap and lemon, and run it for 10-15 minutes. Repeat this process 3-4 times, replacing the water with clean water and adding more soap if it becomes brown.
For stuck-on messes, a paste made of baking soda and water can be applied to the affected areas. Let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing it off with a soft-bristled toothbrush. It is important to avoid using abrasive cleaners and scrubbers, as these can scratch the non-stick coating of the air fryer. Additionally, while some air fryers are dishwasher-safe, hand washing is recommended to preserve the non-stick coating.
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How long to cook the bacon for
The cooking time for bacon in an air fryer depends on the thickness of the bacon, the style of your air fryer, and how crispy you like it.
For regular cut bacon, cook at 350˚F for 7 to 9 minutes for softer bacon, and 8 to 9 minutes for crispy bacon. If you like your bacon very crispy, you can cook it for up to 10 minutes. If you are cooking streaky bacon rashers, just-cooked bacon will take 6 minutes, but it will take 9 to 10 minutes for crispier bacon.
For thick-cut bacon, cook at 350˚F for 9 to 12 minutes for softer bacon, and 10 to 12 minutes for crispy bacon. If you are cooking streaky bacon rashers and like them crispy, this will take 9 to 10 minutes. However, if you are cooking thick-sliced bacon, you may prefer to cook it for 7 to 8 minutes, flipping halfway, for a crisp but not brittle texture.
If you are using an air fryer that requires preheating, you should preheat it to 390 degrees F (200 degrees C) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Then, cook the bacon for 8 minutes, flip it, and continue cooking until it reaches your desired crispiness, which will take about 7 minutes more.
If you are cooking turkey bacon, you should reduce the cooking time and air fry at 350˚F for 5 to 7 minutes.
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How to prepare the bacon
Preparing bacon for cooking in an air fryer is simple and quick. First, cut the bacon rashers in half so they fit in a single layer in the air fryer basket. You can overlap them slightly, but this may lead to a chewier texture. The number of rashers you can cook at once will depend on the size of your air fryer basket.
If you are cooking a large batch, you may need to cook the bacon in batches. In this case, be sure to drain the drip pan of any oil between batches and wipe it clean with a paper towel. You can also put a thin slice of bread in the bottom of the air fryer to absorb grease, but this only works in basket-style air fryers.
If you are using regular cut bacon, cook it at 350˚F for 7–9 minutes, depending on how crispy you like it. For softer bacon, air fry for closer to 7 minutes, and for crispier bacon, air fry for 8–9 minutes.
If you are using thick-cut bacon, you will need to air fry it for a little longer. For softer thick-cut bacon, air fry at 350˚F for 9–10 minutes, and for crispy bacon, cook for 10–12 minutes.
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Frequently asked questions
The ideal temperature for cooking bacon in an air fryer is 350ºF (175ºC/180ºC) as it helps to cook the bacon evenly and prevents excess splatter. However, some recipes suggest cooking at 375ºF to 425ºF (190ºC to 220ºC) for a good range of crispiness.
The cooking time depends on the thickness of the bacon and the style of the air fryer. For thin-cut bacon, check after 5-7 minutes. For regular-cut bacon, cook for 7-9 minutes for softer bacon and 8-9 minutes for crispy bacon. For thick-cut bacon, cook for 9-12 minutes for softer bacon and 10-12 minutes for crispy bacon.
Place the bacon strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not overlap. If needed, cut the strips in half to fit more.
Cooking bacon in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and mess-free method. It is also a safer option as there are no greasy splatters, and the grease is easy to discard.
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