Air fryer bacon is a quick and convenient way to cook bacon that results in crispy, delicious strips without the mess of traditional stovetop frying. Here’s a simple air fryer bacon recipe along with some important notes to keep in mind:
Ingredients:
- Bacon strips (as many as you need)
- Optional: Paper towels for blotting excess grease
Instructions:
- Preheat Your Air Fryer: Start by preheating your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Preheating ensures that your bacon cooks evenly and becomes crispy.
- Arrange Bacon: While the air fryer is preheating, take your bacon strips and lay them flat in a single layer in the air fryer basket. You can overlap slightly, but don’t overcrowd the basket, as this can prevent even cooking.
- Cook Time: Cook the bacon at 350°F (175°C) for 8-12 minutes. The exact cooking time will depend on your air fryer model, the thickness of the bacon, and how crispy you want it. Check the bacon at the 8-minute mark and adjust the time accordingly. Thicker bacon may take longer to cook.
- Flip or Rearrange: About halfway through the cooking time, you can flip the bacon strips using tongs or rearrange them if you notice some cooking faster than others. This helps ensure even cooking.
- Check for Doneness: Keep a close eye on the bacon towards the end of the cooking time. It should be golden brown and crispy. If you like it extra crispy, you can cook it for a few more minutes, but be careful not to overcook and burn it.
- Drain Excess Grease: Once the bacon is done, carefully remove it from the air fryer basket. Place it on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess grease. Blot the top of the bacon with more paper towels if needed.
- Serve: Your air fryer bacon is now ready to be served. Enjoy it as a breakfast side dish, in sandwiches, salads, or any other dish where crispy bacon is desired.
Notes:
- Bacon Thickness: Thicker bacon will take longer to cook, so adjust the cooking time accordingly. Thin bacon may cook faster, so keep an eye on it.
- Bacon Quality: Use high-quality bacon for the best results. Cheaper bacon may release more grease and result in uneven cooking.
- Bacon Quantity: Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket, as this can lead to uneven cooking. You may need to cook bacon in batches if you have a lot to prepare.
- Grease Management: Be cautious when handling the air fryer basket and bacon after cooking, as there will be hot grease. Use tongs and paper towels to blot excess grease.
- Experiment: Feel free to experiment with different seasonings or coatings for your bacon, such as a sprinkle of brown sugar or black pepper before cooking.
Air fryer bacon is a convenient and less messy way to enjoy this breakfast favorite, and it’s easily customizable to suit your taste preferences.
