Quick Answer
Yes, you can deep fry bacon in a deep fryer. Bacon contains a good amount of fat and connective tissue that allows it to withstand the high heat of deep frying without becoming overly dried out. Deep frying renders the fat out of the bacon, resulting in crispy, crunchy bacon with a tender, meaty chew. It’s important to pat the bacon dry before frying and fry in small batches to maintain the oil temperature. Fried bacon can be drained on paper towels and enjoyed on its own or used to top things like burgers, sandwiches, salads and more.
What is Deep Frying?
Deep frying is a cooking method that fully submerges food in hot oil. The temperature of the oil typically ranges from 350°F to 375°F. When the food is lowered into the hot oil, the surface moisture on the food immediately turns to steam, creating a layer of bubbles and steam that prevents the oil from penetrating into the food.
As the food cooks, the bubbles begin to subside and the oil starts permeating the outer surface, resulting in crispy, golden brown fried food. The high heat of the oil cooks the food very quickly and evenly. The inside of the food retains moisture and becomes tender.
Common foods for deep frying include meats, seafood, vegetables and pastries. Almost any food can be deep fried but foods that are battered or breaded typically turn out best, as the coating helps block oil absorption while providing a crispy exterior.
Benefits of Deep Frying
– Very hot oil cooks food quickly and evenly throughout.
– The high heat caramelizes the exterior, creating crunchy, crispy, golden brown outsides.
– Locks in moisture and flavors.
– Intensifies flavors – frying draws out savory flavors in things like meats and seafood.
– Allows you to fully cook the inside while browning the outside.
– Adds texture – deep fried foods develop a unique, crispy/crunchy exterior.
Challenges of Deep Frying
– Requires a decent amount of oil, increasing calories.
– Foods can absorb a lot of oil if not fried properly, making them greasy.
– Hot oil can splatter and cause burns if not handled carefully.
– Requiring high heat means there is potential to burn foods if fried too long.
– Used oil must be discarded safely after several uses.
Can You Deep Fry Bacon?
Yes, bacon can absolutely be deep fried. The high heat of the deep fryer cooks the bacon quickly while rendering out excess fat. This results in bacon that is crispy, crunchy and full of bacon flavor.
There are a few reasons why bacon works well for deep frying:
High Fat Content
Bacon contains a lot of fat, both in visible fat caps as well as marbled throughout the meat. This high fat content means the bacon has a buffer against the heat of the oil, allowing it to fry up crispy without becoming overly dried out. The fat that renders out during cooking also helps keep the bacon nice and moist.
Salt Content
Bacon contains salt, which assists in moisture management when exposed to high heat. The salt causes the bacon to retain more moisture as it cooks.
Smoke Flavor
Many types of bacon are smoked, which provides a robust, savory flavor. The smoke flavor pairs perfectly with the crispy, salty, porky flavor delivered through deep frying.
Curing
Bacon is cured before smoking, which affects its ability to fry up crispy. The salts and spices used in the curing process help alter the protein structure and draw out moisture, allowing for crisper results.
How to Deep Fry Bacon
Deep frying bacon is easy but there are some tips to follow for best results:
Select the Right Bacon
The best bacons for deep frying include:
– Thick cut – stands up to frying better than thin
– Slightly fatty – needed to prevent drying out
– Heavily smoked – smokiness complements fried flavor
– Uncured – avoids nitrites found in some cured bacons
Avoid pre-cooked or extra lean bacons, which won’t fry up crispy.
Pat Bacon Dry
It’s important to pat the bacon thoroughly dry before frying. Any excess moisture on the surface can cause splattering when it hits the hot oil. Patting it dry also allows the bacon to get crispy and browned.
Fry in Small Batches
Only fry a few strips at a time, 4-6 strips, so that the oil maintains the proper temperature. Frying too much bacon at once cools down the oil and prevents proper crisping.
Give the oil time to come back up to temp between batches.
Fry at 350-375°F
Heat oil to 350-375°F for best results. Any lower and the bacon won’t get crispy. Any higher risks burning. Use a deep fry or candy thermometer to monitor temp.
Flip Occasionally
Flip the bacon strips occasionally so they cook evenly on all sides. Use tongs or a slotted spoon for easy flipping.
Fry Until Desired Doneness
Fry thick cut bacon around 2-3 minutes per side until dark golden brown and crispy looking. Thinner bacon may only need 1-2 minutes per side.
Cut into a piece to test for doneness – should be slightly tender but not floppy. Drain on paper towels.
Let Oil Return to Temperature
Give the oil a few minutes to come back up to temperature before frying another batch. This ensures proper oil heat.
Drain and Blot Bacon
When finished frying all bacon, transfer to a paper towel lined plate to drain and blot away excess grease. This helps absorb some of the oil.
The bacon is now ready to enjoy! Sprinkle with a pinch of salt if desired.
Tips for Deep Frying Bacon
Use a Thermometer
Having an oil thermometer is crucial for maintaining the right oil temperature. This ensures proper cooking without burning.
Preheat Oil Properly
Give the oil plenty of time to heat up to the target temp before adding food. Heating the oil too quickly can cause overheating.
Don’t Overfill Pot
Fill the pot only about halfway with oil to allow it to bubble up without overflowing when food is added. Leave plenty of headspace.
Use a Slotted Spoon
Use a slotted spoon, spider strainer, or tongs to lower food into the oil gently. This prevents splattering.
Choose a Sturdy Pot
Use a heavy, sturdy pot designed for deep frying. Thin pots can overheat or tip over.
Fry in Small Batches
Frying too much food at once drops the oil temp, so work in smaller batches for crisper results.
Blot Excess Oil
Drain fried foods on a paper towel lined plate. Gently blot to soak up excess grease for less oily results.
Let Oil Cool Properly
Once finished frying, turn off the heat and allow the oil to cool completely before moving or discarding.
Common Questions
What oil is best for deep frying bacon?
The best oils for deep frying bacon include:
– Peanut oil – high smoke point of 450°F
– Canola oil – neutral flavor, smoke point 400°F
– Vegetable oil – affordable, smoke point 450°F
– Lard or tallow – adds meaty flavor
Avoid olive oil, which can burn quickly at high heat.
How long does it take to fry bacon?
Thick cut bacon takes 2-3 minutes per side, medium cut around 2 minutes per side, and thin cut 1-2 minutes per side at 350-375°F oil temperature. Cook times vary based on thickness.
Should you flip bacon when pan frying?
Yes, bacon should be flipped occasionally when pan frying to ensure even cooking on both sides. Use tongs to gently flip the bacon every minute or so.
Is deep fried bacon healthy?
Deep fried bacon is high in fat, calories and sodium, so it’s not the healthiest choice. However, as an occasional treat, it can be part of a balanced diet. Try baking or grilling bacon for a lower fat option.
Can you reuse oil after deep frying bacon?
It’s not recommended to reuse oil after frying bacon. The bacon grease can impart strong flavors to the oil that carry over to other foods. Discard bacon frying oil.
Can You Deep Fry Bacon in an Air Fryer?
While you can deep fry bacon in a traditionally pot and oil, many people are now turning to air fryers to make deep fried foods with less oil.
Air fryers work by circulating extremely hot air around food to produce a crispy, fried finish using just a tablespoon or two of oil.
Here are some tips for “air frying” bacon:
– Add 1-2 tsp of oil to the air fryer basket
– Place bacon strips in a single layer
– Set air fryer to 380°F
– Cook 7-10 minutes, flipping halfway
– Monitor color and texture until desired done-ness
– Drain on paper towels
The results will be crispy, crunchy bacon with 90% less oil than deep frying. Make sure to pat bacon very dry first – moisture causes splattering in air fryers.
While not exactly like deep fried, air fried bacon is crunchy on the outside with tender, meaty centers when done right. Play with cook times to get the texture you prefer.
Dishes to Make with Deep Fried Bacon
Crispy deep fried bacon is delicious on its own but can also be used to top a variety of savory dishes. Here are some ideas:
Burgers or Sandwiches
Crunch up deep fried bacon and sprinkle it over burgers, chicken sandwiches, BLTs and more. The crispy bacon provides great texture.
Salads
Top leafy green or wedge salads with crumbled bits of deep fried bacon. The smoky, salty, crispy bacon is a perfect match to the fresh greens.
Pizza
Deep fried bacon pairs amazingly with pizza. Simply drain on paper towels and sprinkle over pizza fresh out of the oven. The heat crisps the bacon back up.
Breakfast Dishes
Crumble deep fried bacon over scrambled eggs, breakfast tacos, hash browns, pancakes, waffles and more for breakfast.
Soups or Chilis
Mix crispy deep fried bacon into hearty bean or vegetable soups and chilis right before eating. It holds up well and provides nice crunch.
Potatoes
Top baked potatoes, sweet potatoes or potato wedges with crumbled deep fried bacon and cheese for a savory, decadent treat.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to using deep fried bacon as a topping!
Nutrition Information
Here is the nutrition breakdown for deep fried bacon compared to pan fried, based on a 1 oz (28g) serving:
| Nutrient | Deep Fried | Pan Fried |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 99 | 43 |
| Fat | 8g | 3g |
| Carbs | 0g | 0g |
| Protein | 5g | 5g |
| Sodium | 441mg | 441mg |
As shown, deep fried bacon is significantly higher in calories and fat since it is cooked in oil. However, the protein and sodium content remains similar.
When enjoyed in moderation, deep fried bacon can be part of a healthy diet. Those looking to reduce calories may prefer pan fried or baked bacon.
Conclusion
Deep frying is an indulgent cooking method that can transform foods into crispy, flavorful delights. Bacon’s high fat content and savory smoked flavor make it well suited to deep frying.
For best results, select a good quality thick cut bacon and fry in small batches at 350-375°F until crispy and browned. Drain on paper towels before enjoying on its own or crumbling over other savory dishes. While not the healthiest preparation, deep fried bacon makes for an irresistible, crunchy treat when cooked properly.