Crispy Air Fryer Bacon Recipe - Evolving Table (2024)

FAQs

Should you put water in the bottom of an air fryer when cooking bacon? ›

THIS IS IMPORTANT! Add 1 cup of water to the bottom of your air fryer basket before you cook the bacon. This will prevent the rendered bacon fat from creating smoke. As long as they don't overlap in the air fryer basket, you may be able to cook more than 4 strips of bacon at a time.

Place bacon in air fryer

If you're using an oven-style air fryer, you'll want to put the bacon on an air-fry basket (basically a mesh rack) with either a solid pan or a piece of aluminum foil folded up on the edges underneath to catch any bacon grease drippings.

It's essential that you spread the potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket and that you leave a little space between each one. If they're too crowded, the potatoes will steam inside the air fryer, and they won't get crispy. In order to give them adequate space, you'll likely need to work in batches.

Toss your food with a small amount of oil (around a tablespoon or less) to coat it evenly, then add it to the air fryer basket. You can also use a nonstick cooking spray made with a healthier oil such as avocado oil ($7, Target) with a high smoke point. Make sure you don't overcrowd the basket with food.

In just nine minutes, you can have hot bacon ready to serve. The best part about the air fryer is that the grease collects underneath the basket in the drawer, so there's no grease splatters in the kitchen and the grease is a cinch to discard (simply tip the drawer to pour off).

You only have to try cooking bacon in the Air Fryer once for it to become your new favorite way to cook bacon. It's perfectly crisp every time and since the air circulates, there's no need to flip the bacon halfway.

Bacon doesn't normally blow around too much in an air fryer, but if you want to keep it from curling, you can place a small rack directly on top.

As with other meats, allow some room between strips, about an inch, when placing bacon in the pan. Crowding creates steam and prevents the bacon from cooking evenly, giving you limp bacon instead of crispy strips. Cook in batches if needed.

Put the bacon in a non-stick frying pan set over a medium heat. When the fat starts to run out from the bacon, increase the heat and cook for 1-3 mins on each side, depending on how crispy you like it.

Use parchment paper: To make cleanup easier, consider lining the air fryer basket with parchment paper. This will prevent the bacon from sticking to the basket and make it easier to remove when it's done. Don't overcrowd the basket: Make sure not to overcrowd the basket when cooking bacon in the air fryer.

Is cooking bacon in an air fryer messy? ›

No Grease Splatters.

One of the best parts of making bacon in the air fryer is the quick clean up. No greasy stove.

Instructions. Place the bacon slices evenly, in a single layer, inside the air fryer basket. Air fry bacon at 360°F for 7-9 minutes for regular cut bacon or 12-14 minutes for thick cut bacon. We used thick cut bacon for this recipe and cooked it for 13 minutes until crispy.

Fried sides are easy

Any item that was once deep fried has oil imbued into the outer layer. There's no need to do anything to these special items. Spread the food out in the air fryer basket. Set the machine to 375°F on the “air fry” setting and let it rip for three to five minutes.

“For a good even bake, you shouldn't overfill your air fryer. Food won't cook properly and be soggy instead of crisp – this is especially important to remember for things like chips or roast potatoes.” Getting that consistent cook throughout is something I also struggled with when making granola.

During the air frying process, if you pull out the chicken and notice any dry flour spots on the chicken, spray those spots lightly with oil. The breading will never crisp up if it doesn't have a tiny bit of oil to hydrate it.