Perfectly cooked and crispy, Air Fryer Bacon is by far the best and easiest bacon you can make. It takes less time and makes less of a mess than bacon cooked in the oven or on the stove. You’ll want to add it to everything!.
If you love bacon that’s crispy and crunchy using an Emeril Lagasse air fryer is a fast easy way to cook it to crispy perfection. The hot air circulation gives you evenly cooked bacon in half the time of baking it in the oven.
Follow this simple guide to learn how long to cook bacon in the Emeril air fryer, along with tips to get the best texture and flavor.
Benefits of the Emeril Air Fryer for Cooking Bacon
The Emeril Lagasse Power Air Fryer 360 has several features that make it ideal for cooking up delicious crispy bacon:
- Speed – The powerful heating element and fan cook foods very quickly Bacon is done in just 8-12 minutes
- Even cooking – The multidirectional hot air flow crisps the bacon evenly on all sides. No flipping required.
- Crispy texture – The super-hot air makes bacon extra crispy without drying it out.
- Less mess – With no skillet involved, there’s minimal splatter or cleanup.
- Consistency – Takes the guesswork out of getting your bacon just right every time.
How Long to Cook Bacon in an Emeril Air Fryer
Cooking time can vary slightly based on the thickness of the bacon and your desired level of crispiness As a general guide
- Regular sliced bacon – 8-10 minutes at 350°F
- Thick-cut bacon – 10-12 minutes at 350°F
Watch closely and adjust time if needed. Using a rack prevents sitting in grease.
Step-by-Step Guide to Air Frying Bacon
Follow these simple steps for perfectly cooked bacon from your Emeril Lagasse air fryer:
1. Preheat Air Fryer (Optional)
You can preheat if you want the bacon to start cooking immediately, but it’s not required.
Preheat at 350°F for 2-3 minutes if desired.
2. Add Bacon to Basket
Place bacon strips in a single layer in the air fryer cooking basket.
Avoid overlap. Cut extra long pieces in half crosswise.
3. Air Fry at 350°F
Cook bacon at 350°F to avoid smoking. Time will depend on thickness:
- Regular cut – 8-10 minutes
- Thick cut – 10-12 minutes
Set timer to minimum recommended time and check often.
4. Check and Cook Longer If Needed
When timer goes off, check doneness. Cook longer if needed for perfect crispness.
For best results, cook in 1-2 minute increments, checking frequently.
5. Remove and Drain on Paper Towels
Use tongs to transfer cooked bacon from the air fryer basket to a plate lined with paper towels.
This absorbs excess grease for crisper bacon.
6. Repeat for Remaining Bacon
For more than 5-6 slices, work in batches. Wipe out basket between rounds if needed.
Let basket reheat for 30 seconds up to 350°F before adding more.
And that’s it! Your bacon is ready to crumble over salads or enjoy in any recipe.
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Bacon
Follow these tips for crispy, evenly cooked bacon using the Emeril Lagasse Power Air Fryer:
- Use regular sliced or thick-cut bacon. Slightly less time needed for turkey bacon.
- Don’t overload. Cook just 5-6 slices per batch.
- Flip halfway if overlapping causes uneven cooking.
- Add a metal cooling rack to the basket to elevate out of grease.
- Cook a minute or two longer if still soggy when time is up.
- Briefly blot with paper towels before serving to remove excess grease.
FAQs About Cooking Bacon in the Emeril Air Fryer
Should You Preheat the Air Fryer?
Preheating isn’t required but can help the bacon start cooking right away. 2-3 minutes at 350°F is sufficient.
How Much Bacon Fits in the Basket?
The XL 5.5 quart Emeril air fryer basket can hold about 5-6 regular slices in a single layer per batch.
Does the Bacon Need Flipped During Cooking?
Flipping isn’t necessary but can help if there is overlap causing uneven cooking.
Is There Popping and Splattering?
There may be some slight sizzling but much less than pan frying. The enclosed design prevents most splatter.
Can I Cook a Whole Pack at Once?
It’s best to avoid overcrowding. For a 1 lb pack, cook 5-6 slices per batch.
Get Creative with Air Fried Bacon
The Emeril Lagasse air fryer makes cooking up hot, crunchy bacon so fast and convenient. Here are some fun ways to use your air fried bacon:
- BLT sandwiches
- Cobb salad topping
- Bacon cheeseburger sliders
- Bacon wrapped stuffed jalapeños
- Candied brown sugar bacon
- Brussel sprouts with crispy bacon
With the Emeril Lagasse Power Air Fryer 360, you’ll have delicious crisp bacon ready in record time to top anything from breakfast tacos to burgers.
Why You’ll Love This Crispy Air Fryer Bacon Recipe
- Hands-Free Cooking. Air fryer bacon cooks without using your hands, just like baked bacon in the oven. But unlike cooking bacon in a skillet on the stove, You don’t even need to flip it!.
- Mouthwateringly Crispy. This is the reason I love air-frying everything, from potato chips to French fries to chicken wings. The air fryer is the best way to get food crispy.
- Faster Than the Oven. The small size and powerful convection cooking of the air fryer make it cook food faster than baking in the oven.
- No Grease Splatters. One of the best things about air-frying bacon is how easy it is to clean up. No greasy stove.