Tillie Doyle
Cooking bacon in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to achieve crispy bacon with less fat and no greasy splatters. The air fryer method is less messy than cooking bacon on a stovetop or in a microwave or oven, and there's no need to preheat the air fryer beforehand. The grease collects in the drawer underneath the basket, making it easy to discard. The cook time for bacon in an air fryer depends on the thickness of the bacon and the style of the air fryer. For crispy bacon, air fry regular cut bacon for 7-9 minutes and thick-cut bacon for 10-12 minutes.
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Cook time and temperature
The cooking time and temperature for bacon in an air fryer depend on the type of bacon and the desired doneness. For thin-cut bacon, check the bacon after 5-6 minutes, as it cooks faster than thick-cut bacon. For regular cut bacon, air fry at 350˚F for 7 minutes for softer bacon, and for crispy bacon, cook for 8 to 9 minutes. If you want your bacon to be very crispy, you can cook it for an additional minute or two.
For thick-cut bacon, the cooking time will be longer. For softer thick-cut bacon, air fry at 350˚F for 9-10 minutes, and for crispy bacon, cook for 10-12 minutes. If you are using an oven with an air-fry setting, be aware that the room may fill with smoke if you open the door during cooking.
If you are cooking streaky bacon rashers, set the air fryer to 200˚C and cook for 6-10 minutes, depending on how crispy you like your bacon. For just-cooked streaky bacon, 6 minutes is enough, while crispier bacon will take 9-10 minutes. Back bacon rashers will take less time, around 4-8 minutes, depending on your preference.
Some people prefer to preheat their air fryer to 390˚F (200˚C) before adding the bacon, while others suggest that preheating is not necessary for bacon. One user recommends cooking the bacon for 8 minutes at 375˚F, turning it halfway through. Another user suggests cooking thick-sliced bacon at 390˚F for 8 minutes, flipping it, and then cooking it for another 7 minutes.
It's important to note that the smoke point of bacon fat is 400˚F, so cooking at 350˚F helps to avoid any smokiness. 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. You can also put a thin slice of bread in the bottom of the air fryer to absorb grease and reduce smoking.
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Single layer
When cooking bacon in an air fryer, it is important to arrange the bacon slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. This ensures even cooking and allows the grease to collect efficiently in the drawer below. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cut the bacon strips in half to fit them in a single layer without overcrowding. It is okay to have a little overlap, but try to avoid folding the bacon too much.
To cook the bacon, preheat your air fryer to between 350˚F and 400˚F. The higher the temperature, the crispier the bacon will become. For softer bacon, cook at a lower temperature for a shorter time. For example, at 350˚F, regular cut bacon will be soft after 7 minutes and crispy after 8 to 9 minutes. Thick-cut bacon will be soft after 9 to 10 minutes and crispy after 10 to 12 minutes.
If you are cooking a large batch of bacon, you may need to do multiple batches. In this case, be sure to drain the drip pan of any oil and wipe it clean with a paper towel between batches. You can also place a thin slice of bread in the bottom of the air fryer to absorb grease and reduce smoking.
Once your bacon is cooked to your desired level of crispiness, use tongs to transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess grease. Allow the bacon to cool for a couple of minutes before serving.
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Grease disposal
When cooking bacon in an air fryer, it is important to know how to dispose of the grease properly. Never put grease down the drain. Instead, you can save some of the grease to use on air-fried vegetables, giving them a hint of bacon flavour. The rest should be thrown in the trash.
One way to do this is to line the bottom of the air fryer with aluminium foil to catch the grease. Once the grease has hardened, roll up the foil and throw it away. It is important to use enough foil to cup the grease, otherwise, it will run off into the pan.
Another method is to flip the air fryer basket over into a larger pot or pan to let the grease drain into that. Then, dispose of the grease properly.
To keep your air fryer free from greasy food buildup, it is best to clean it after every use or every few uses. You can use a good sponge and dish soap to cut through the grease, such as Dawn Powerwash. You can also use a soft toothbrush or sponge to scrub the air fryer basket with a mixture of baking soda, lemon juice, and hot water.
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Batch cooking
Firstly, arrange the bacon slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer. It is fine if the bacon slices touch, as they will shrink while cooking, but try not to overcrowd the basket. If you are cooking a large batch, you may need to cut the bacon slices in half.
Set the temperature of the air fryer to between 350°F and 400°F (175°C and 200°C). The lower temperature helps to cook the bacon evenly and prevents excess splatter. Cooking at a lower temperature also reduces the risk of your air fryer smoking, as the bacon is less likely to burn.
Cook the bacon for around 10 minutes, checking halfway through to see if the slices need to be rearranged. Tongs are helpful for this step. If you are cooking thick-cut bacon, you may need to cook it for a few minutes longer.
Once the bacon is cooked to your desired level of crispiness, use tongs to transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to soak up any excess grease. If you are cooking multiple batches, be sure to empty the bacon grease from the drip pan or lower portion of the air fryer basket before cooking the next batch.
Some additional tips for batch cooking bacon in an air fryer include:
- There is no need to preheat the air fryer before cooking bacon, as it heats up quickly.
- You don't need to add any oil to the air fryer, as the bacon will cook in its own fat.
- Adding a slice of bread to the bottom of the air fryer can help to absorb grease and reduce smoking.
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Clean-up
Cooking bacon in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to achieve crispy bacon with less fat and mess. The cleanup process is also straightforward and simple.
Firstly, it is important to note that you should never pour grease down the drain. Instead, you can use paper napkins or towels to soak up the grease and then throw them in the trash. You can also wait for the grease to cool down and then put it into a plastic bag before discarding it. If you want to save some of the grease for cooking vegetables, you can pour it into a jar and store it.
If you are cooking bacon in batches, be sure to drain the drip pan of any oil and wipe it clean with a paper towel between batches. You can also put a thin slice of bread at the bottom of the air fryer to absorb the grease and make cleaning easier.
To clean the air fryer itself, you can flip the basket over into a larger pot or pan and let the grease drain into that. Then, wash the air fryer bucket with dish soap and water.
Some people also recommend using a combination of baking soda and vinegar to clean the drains a few times a year, followed by a kettle of boiling water.
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Frequently asked questions
The ideal temperature to cook bacon in an air fryer is 350°F (175°C-180°C). Cooking at a lower temperature helps to cook the bacon evenly and prevents excess splatter.
The cooking time depends on the type of bacon and the style of the air fryer. For regular-cut bacon, cook for 5-8 minutes. For thick-cut bacon, cook for 9-12 minutes.
Place the bacon in a single layer in the air fryer basket. You can cut the bacon slices in half to ensure they fit in a single layer. Cook for the desired amount of time, monitoring and flipping the bacon halfway through.
