Cooking bacon in the Ninja Foodi Grill is absolutely possible and can yield delicious results. The Ninja Foodi Grill is an indoor electric grill that can be used to cook a variety of foods, including bacon. With its unique design and heating elements, the Ninja Foodi Grill can crisp up bacon nicely without the need for oil.
Can you really cook bacon on a grill?
While grilling may not be the most common way to cook bacon, it is certainly an option. Grilling bacon over direct high heat allows the fat to render out while the bacon cooks and crisps up. The key is using a grill that can get hot enough to crisp up the bacon before it overcooks. Many outdoor grills can easily reach the 400–500°F temperatures needed to cook bacon. Indoor electric grills like the Ninja Foodi also reach similar high temperatures required for grilling bacon.
Benefits of cooking bacon on the Ninja Foodi Grill
There are a few advantages to cooking bacon in the Ninja Foodi Grill rather than using the stove or oven:
- Gets crispy without added oil: The Ninja Foodi Grill uses 500°F air to surround food and cooks from both sides, allowing the bacon to crisp up in its own fat without the need for adding extra oil.
- Reduced mess: Grilling bacon can help reduce the splatter that happens when frying it in a pan on the stove.
- Quick cooking: The high heat from the grill crisps up and cooks bacon faster than the oven.
- Versatile: The grill grate design and heating elements of the Ninja Foodi Grill make it great for cooking a variety of proteins and foods beyond just bacon.
- Retains nutrients: Grilling is a healthy cooking method that can retain more nutrients than frying.
How to cook bacon on the Ninja Foodi Grill
Cooking bacon in the Ninja Foodi Grill takes just a few simple steps:
- Preheat grill to 500°F temperature setting.
- Slice bacon strips to desired thickness.
- Place strips of bacon directly onto preheated grill grates.
- Close grill lid and cook for 5-8 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Use tongs to flip and remove bacon when desired level of crispiness is reached.
- Let bacon drain on paper towel lined plate.
The exact cooking time may vary based on how thick you slice the bacon and your desired level of crispiness. Thinner slices may take only 4-5 minutes while thicker cuts may need closer to 6-8 minutes. Letting the Ninja Foodi preheat fully helps ensure the bacon crisps up nicely.
Tips for perfect bacon
Follow these tips when cooking bacon on the Ninja Foodi Grill for the best results:
- Choose a good quality thick sliced bacon for crispy results. Thin bacon tends to overcook quickly.
- Cut bacon strips to a uniform thickness so they cook evenly.
- Preheat grill fully before adding bacon.
- Use tongs instead of a fork to flip bacon and avoid piercing the meat.
- Cook bacon in single layer batches to prevent sticking.
- Let bacon rest 1-2 minutes after grilling before serving.
Ninja Foodi Grill settings
The Ninja Foodi Grill offers multiple smart cook programs. For crispy bacon, the best settings to use are:
- Temperature: 500°F
- Grill function: Air Crisp
- Cooking time: 5-8 minutes
The high 500°F temperature ensures the bacon reaches crisping temperatures. The Air Crisp function uses rapid cyclonic air for quick, even cooking from both sides without flipping. Refer to the Foodi Grill owner’s manual for complete cooking instructions.
Cleaning the grill after cooking bacon
It’s important to properly clean the Ninja Foodi Grill after cooking bacon. Follow these steps:
- Allow grill to cool slightly after cooking.
- Wipe down cooking grates with paper towels to remove excess grease.
- Brush grates with grill brush to remove stuck on bits.
- Empty and wipe out grease collector cup.
- Clean inside of grill with warm soapy water and non-abrasive sponge.
- Dry all parts fully before next use.
Avoid abrasive scouring pads as they can damage the nonstick coating. The removable parts can also be washed in the dishwasher for convenience.
Recipes and serving ideas
Crispy bacon from the Ninja Foodi Grill opens a world of recipe ideas. Here are some delicious ways to use bacon cooked on the grill:
- Crispy bacon egg breakfast sandwiches
- Bacon cheeseburger and BLT sandwiches
- Salads topped with grilled bacon crumbles
- Roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon
- Grilled bacon wrapped shrimp
- Bacon wrapped stuffed jalapenos
- Potato skins or wedges with bacon bits
Conclusion
The Ninja Foodi Grill provides a great way to cook crispy bacon indoors without needing to fry or bake it. Its 500°F high temperatures and rapid cyclonic air flow allows bacon to get crispy and delicious in just minutes. Follow the proper grill settings, use quality thick-cut bacon, and clean the appliance afterward for best results. Crispy grilled bacon opens up tons of recipe ideas from breakfast sandwiches to creative appetizers.