Can You Put Frozen Bacon In An Air Fryer?

Air fryers have become incredibly popular in recent years as a convenient and healthy way to quickly cook foods using less oil than traditional frying methods.

One question that often comes up is whether you can cook frozen bacon in an air fryer.

The short answer is yes; you can absolutely cook frozen bacon in an air fryer!

How To Cook Frozen Bacon In An Air Fryer

Cooking frozen bacon in an air fryer is very easy. Here are step-by-step instructions:

1. Preheat Your Air fryer.

The first step is to preheat your air fryer to 375°F. This allows the air fryer to come up to temperature before adding the frozen bacon.

2. Add The Frozen bacon.

Once preheated, add your frozen bacon strips directly to the air fryer basket. Make sure the strips aren’t overlapping each other.

3. Cook For 8–12 minutes.

Cook the bacon for 8–12 minutes, depending on how crispy you like your bacon. Check it periodically and flip the strips halfway through. Thicker-cut bacon may need a minute or two longer.

4. Drain And Serve

When the bacon reaches your desired level of crispiness, remove it from the air fryer and drain on paper towels before serving. The bacon will continue crisping up as it rests.

And that’s it! The air fryer’s super hot circulating air will crisp up that frozen bacon into delicious, crunchy bacon in minutes.

Benefits Of Cooking Frozen Bacon In An Air Fryer

There are a few advantages to cooking frozen bacon in an air fryer versus other methods:

• It’s Fast: No need to thaw; an air fryer can cook frozen bacon nice and crispy in just 8–12 minutes! Much faster than oven baking.
• Less Mess: Air frying helps contain the bacon grease splatters that you’d get from stovetop frying.
• Crispy Bacon: The hot air circulates all around the bacon, crisping up the fat incredibly well.
• Holds Shape Better: Frozen bacon holds its shape and doesn’t shrink up as much as thawed bacon.
• More Consistent: Each strip seems to cook more evenly since you don’t have to flip as frequently.

So air frying makes cooking up frozen bacon an easy, fast, and tasty process!

Tips For Cooking Frozen Bacon In An Air Fryer

To get the best results when cooking frozen bacon in an air fryer, follow these handy tips:

• Use thinner-sliced bacon, around 1/16 inch thick. Thicker slices may need a couple extra minutes.
• Make sure the strips aren’t overlapping, which can prevent even cooking.
• Flip the bacon strips halfway through cooking.
• Brush strips with a little oil if they aren’t pre-coated to help promote even browning.
• Remove strips as they reach your desired level of crispness. They’ll continue crisping up after being removed from the air fryer.
• Let the bacon drain on paper towels, which will soak up any excess grease.
• Adjust cook times based on your bacon and air fryer preferences. Thicker cuts or packed air fryers may need longer.
• Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook in smaller batches for best results.

Following these simple guidelines will help you achieve perfectly crispy frozen bacon from your air fryer!

Best Practices For Freezing And Storing Bacon

Since cooking frozen bacon in an air fryer is so quick and easy, it’s handy to keep some frozen bacon ready to go!

Here are some tips for freezing and storing bacon:

• Choose high-quality bacon without a lot of additives or injected brines, which don’t freeze as well.
• Separate strips and lay them in a single layer on a baking sheet or pan.
• Place the pan in the freezer until the bacon is completely frozen, usually 2–3 hours.
• Transfer frozen bacon strips into a plastic freezer bag or airtight container, removing as much air as possible.
• Label the package with contents and a freeze-by date (up to 4 months for best quality).
• Avoid repeated thawing and re-freezing, which can lead to texture changes.
• For longer storage, consider vacuum sealing for up to 6 months.

Properly freezing your bacon will maintain its freshness and quality until you’re ready to crisp it up in your air fryer!

Frequently Asked Questions About Cooking Frozen Bacon In An Air Fryer

Does frozen bacon really work in an air fryer?

Yes, absolutely! An air fryer’s super-heated air circulation is excellent for cooking up frozen bacon into deliciously crispy perfection in just minutes. The air fryer quickly thaws and crisps the bacon in one simple step.

Should you flip frozen bacon during air-frying?

It’s recommended to flip bacon halfway through cooking to promote even browning. The hot circulating air hits both sides of the bacon for fantastic crispness.

Does frozen bacon shrink up in the air fryer?

Less so than thawed bacon. Frozen bacon holds its shape fairly well through air frying, resulting in nice big slices and less shriveling.

Can you stack bacon slices in the air fryer?

It’s better not to stack the bacon. Overlapping slices can prevent the bacon from cooking evenly. A single layer spread out allows air to flow all around each slice.

How much oil or grease is needed?

Minimal, if any. The hot, circulated air will crisp up the bacon nicely without adding oil. If the slices look dry, brush them with a little oil. But often the bacon’s natural fat is sufficient.

What temperature should you cook frozen bacon at?

375°F is ideal for crisping up frozen bacon. Some thicker cuts may take closer to 400°F. Adjust as needed based on your preference and air fryer model.

How long does frozen bacon take in an air fryer?

Expect it to take 8–12 minutes, depending on thickness. Check frequently once crisping begins. Thicker slices around 1/4 inch may need a couple more minutes.

Can you cook an entire pack of bacon at once?

It’s better to cook in smaller batches to prevent overcrowding, which leads to uneven cooking. For a consumer-model air fryer, 6–8 strips at a time is usually a good amount.

Get Crispy Bacon Fast By Air Frying Frozen

Cooking frozen bacon in an air fryer is incredibly quick and easy for enjoying deliciously crispy bacon anytime. By following the tips in this guide, you’ll be able to achieve perfect results.

Keep your air fryer stocked with some frozen bacon ready to go, and you can have hot, crunchy bacon on the table in just minutes!