Air fryers have become an increasingly popular kitchen appliance for their ability to make foods crispy and crunchy using little to no oil. One food that air fryers can cook particularly well is bacon. The Pampered Chef air fryer allows you to cook bacon to perfection right in your own home.
Factors That Affect Bacon Cooking Times
There are a few key factors that impact how long it takes to cook bacon in an air fryer:
- Thickness – Thicker sliced bacon takes longer to cook than thinner sliced bacon.
- Amount – The more bacon you cook at once, the longer the overall cooking time.
- Fat Content – Bacon with more fat may take slightly longer to cook than leaner bacon.
- Air Fryer Model – Different air fryer models heat up at different rates, which affects cook times.
- Desired Texture – Bacon cooked longer gets crisper than bacon cooked for less time.
Keeping these variables in mind will help you determine the best air fryer bacon cooking time for your preferences.
Recommended Pampered Chef Air Fryer Bacon Cooking Times
Here are some general guidelines for how long to cook bacon in the Pampered Chef air fryer based on slice thickness:
| Bacon Thickness | Cook Time |
|---|---|
| Regular sliced (~1/16 inch) | 8-10 minutes |
| Thick sliced (~1/8 inch) | 10-12 minutes |
| Extra thick sliced (~1/4 inch) | 12-15 minutes |
For any thickness of bacon, you’ll want to flip the bacon halfway through the cook time for even crisping. You may need to add or subtract a minute or two from these cook times depending on your exact air fryer model and how crispy you prefer your bacon.
Tips for Cooking Bacon in a Pampered Chef Air Fryer
Follow these tips for getting the best results when making air fryer bacon:
- Use a wire rack or bacon rack – Placing the bacon on a rack allows the air to circulate under and around the bacon for even cooking.
- Preheat air fryer – Preheating for 3-5 minutes helps the bacon start crisping faster.
- Pat bacon dry – Drier surfaces brown and crisp more than wet surfaces.
- Don’t overcrowd – Leave some space between bacon slices for proper air circulation.
- Flip halfway – Flipping the bacon ensures both sides get evenly crispy.
- Blot excess grease – Carefully blot bacon on paper towels to remove excess grease.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple step-by-step instructions for cooking perfect air fryer bacon every time:
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F for 3-5 minutes.
- Place wire rack or bacon rack in fryer basket.
- Arrange raw bacon slices in a single layer on the rack, making sure not to overcrowd.
- Cook bacon for half the recommended time (see times above based on thickness).
- Remove fryer basket and carefully flip bacon slices using tongs.
- Return basket to air fryer and cook bacon for remaining time.
- Check for desired crispness and cook longer if needed.
- Transfer cooked bacon to a paper towel lined plate to blot excess grease.
- Enjoy your crispy air fryer bacon!
Common Questions
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about making air fryer bacon:
Should I use parchment paper?
Parchment paper can help minimize grease splatters and make cleanup easier. However, for the crispiest bacon, using a wire rack allows maximum air circulation.
Can I cook bacon from frozen?
It’s best not to cook frozen bacon in an air fryer. Thaw it first in the refrigerator overnight before air frying.
What temperature is best?
400°F is the ideal air fryer temperature for achieving crispy bacon. You can experiment between 380-400°F to find your perfect crispness.
How much bacon fits in an air fryer?
This depends on the size of your air fryer, but you’ll want a single layer of bacon without overcrowding. For a typical 3-4 quart air fryer basket, aim for 6-8 bacon slices per batch.
Choosing an Air Fryer for Bacon
Here are some things to consider when choosing an air fryer model for cooking bacon:
- Size – A 3-5 quart air fryer can accommodate 6-8 slices of bacon comfortably.
- Wattage – Higher wattage around 1700-1800W preheats faster and cooks more evenly.
- Temperature Range – Look for an air fryer with a wide temp range, at least 200°F-400°F.
- Features – Digital controls, preset programs, and dishwasher safe parts add convenience.
- Racks – Multi-level racks allow you to cook more bacon at once.
- Reputation – Well-reviewed models from reputable brands tend to perform better.
The Pampered Chef air fryer is an excellent choice for cooking crispy bacon in your own home. It has a 3.4 quart capacity, 1700 watt heating system, digital controls, dishwasher safe basket and runs at up to 400°F. The non-stick basket and crisping tray are ideal for getting bacon perfectly browned and crisp.
Recipe Inspiration
Once you’ve mastered cooking bacon in your Pampered Chef air fryer, try using it in these delicious recipes:
BLT Salad
Crisp lettuce, juicy tomato, crunchy bacon and a tangy dressing come together for a fresh spin on the classic sandwich.
Bacon Wrapped Chicken
Chicken breasts wrapped in bacon become irresistibly moist and flavorful when cooked in the air fryer.
Bacon and Egg Breakfast Cups
Bake up a batch of these handy bacon and egg muffin cups for easy on-the-go breakfasts.
Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
Roasting Brussels sprouts and bacon in the air fryer brings out their natural sweetness.
Candied Bacon
A sweet and salty treat! Coat thick sliced bacon with brown sugar and cayenne before air frying.
Storing and Reheating Leftover Bacon
Since bacon holds well after cooking, you may have some leftovers. Here are some storage and reheating tips:
- Store cooled bacon in a zip top bag or airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days.
- To reheat, place bacon slices on a paper towel lined plate and microwave in 30 second intervals until warmed through.
- Alternatively, place leftover bacon slices back in the air fryer basket at 300°F for 2-3 minutes to reheat and recrisp.
Conclusion
With the right timing and a few simple tips, you can achieve delicious crispy bacon cooked right in your Pampered Chef air fryer. Adjust cooking times based on bacon thickness and test for your desired level of crispness. Preheating, using a rack, and blotting excess grease are keys to air fryer bacon success. Now that you know exactly how long to cook bacon in a Pampered Chef air fryer, you can enjoy this tasty staple anytime.