How Many Calories Are in Air Fryer Bacon? Crunching the Numbers on This Healthy Cooking Method

Crispy savory bacon is a staple food for many breakfast enthusiasts. However, traditional stovetop frying can pack on calories and fat. Using an air fryer has become a popular alternative cooking method to make bacon with less grease. But just how many calories does air fryer bacon contain in comparison to other cooking techniques? Let’s break down the nutrition facts and see why air frying stands out as the healthier bacon cooking choice.

Air Frying Significantly Cuts Calories Versus Pan Frying

The primary reason air fryer bacon is considered lower in calories comes down to the cooking process. Here is a comparison of calories for different cooking methods:

• Pan frying – 150 calories per slice

• Oven baking – 100-120 calories per slice

• Microwaving – 110 calories per slice

• Air frying – 67-80 calories per slice

Frying bacon on the stovetop allows the strips to sit and soak in hot grease, causing a heavy absorption of fat and calories. Air frying minimizes exposure to fatty grease, creating a crisp texture using little to no oil. This eliminates a major calorie source, making air fryer bacon up to 50% lower in calories than pan-fried.

Factors Impacting Air Fryer Bacon Calorie Count

While air frying universally cuts calories versus pan frying, the specific calorie count per slice can range based on:

• Bacon cut – Thinner sliced bacon has less initial fat than thick cut.

• Cooking time – Longer air fry times allow more fat rendering. But going too long risks burning.

• Bacon quality – Artisanal or gourmet bacon tends to have more fat marbling.

• Portion sizes – Nutrition data is usually based on average 1 ounce slices.

For most thin cut bacon brands air fried for 7-9 minutes, you can expect approximately 70 calories per slice. Thick cut bacon may be 80-100 calories. Controlling portions and cooking time is key to retaining the calorie advantage.

Calorie Difference in a Typical Serving of Air Fryer Bacon

The calorie reduction of air frying becomes more significant when comparing full servings.

For a serving of 3 bacon slices:

• Pan fried – Approximately 450 calories
• Air fried – Approximately 210 calories

The 240+ calorie difference really adds up if you eat bacon frequently. This demonstrates why air frying is preferred for those monitoring daily calories.

How Does Air Fryer Bacon Nutrition Compare to Other Methods?

In addition to having fewer calories, air fryer bacon nutrition is better than high-fat cooking methods.

• Total fat – Air fried bacon has 50% less fat than pan-fried, around 5g vs 10g per slice.

• Saturated fat – Pan frying causes bacon to baste in its own grease, hiking saturated fat. Air frying eliminates this effect.

• Sodium – Pan frying slightly increases sodium levels through contact with salty rendered bacon fat.

So air frying not only slashes calories, but reduces exposure to harmful fats and sodium versus pan frying. The nutrition numbers are similar to oven baking. But air frying avoids the hassle of lining baking trays and constant oven monitoring.

Tips for Maximizing Nutrition Benefits of Air Fryer Bacon

To get the most nutrition and lowest calories from air fryer bacon, here are some tips:

• Use thin-cut bacon – Less initial fat to render out.

• Cook at 360 ̊F – Higher heat crisps faster with less grease absorption.

• Pour out excess fat halfway through – Removes accumulated grease.

• Pat dry with paper towels – Absorbs extra grease after cooking.

• Flip bacon strips over – Ensures even crispness on both sides.

• Control portions – Stick to 2-3 strip servings.

With optimal cooking methods and mindful portion sizes, air fryer bacon keeps calories and fat low compared to other cooking techniques.

Are There Any Downsides to Air Frying Bacon?

While air frying minimizes the negatives of high-fat pan frying, there are a couple potential drawbacks:

• Inconsistent cooking – Air flow can lead to uneven crispness.

• Shrinkage – Air frying may cause more shriveling than pan frying.

• Ease of burning – Closely monitoring is needed to avoid overcooking.

• Fat splatters – Grease droplets may leak from basket holes.

However, these issues are minor compared to the significant calorie and fat reduction benefits. Just keep watch on the cooking process.

How Does Bacon Prepared in an Air Fryer Compare to Other Breakfasts?

Despite being lower in calories than pan-fried bacon, air fryer bacon is still higher in calories than many other common breakfast foods. For example:

• 2 eggs = 140 calories
• Oatmeal = 150 calories
• Toast with jam = 200 calories
• Yogurt parfait = 250 calories

The 67-100 calories per slice of air fried bacon is reasonable but still adds up quickly when eating multiple strips. A serving of just 2-3 slices contains more calories than simpler breakfast options.

Should You Eat Air Fryer Bacon Every Day?

While air frying is one of the healthier ways to enjoy bacon, nutrition experts recommend moderation due to some remaining concerns:

• High sodium levels – Air fryer bacon still contains 250mg+ sodium per slice.

• Nitrates used in cured bacon are linked to cancer risk.

• Heme iron in bacon may cause inflammation if consumed daily.

Eating air fried bacon for occasional breakfasts or in recipes is fine. But relying on it too heavily risks health issues over time. Variety across breakfasts is ideal.

Takeaway

Air frying allows you to enjoy bacon’s signature savory flavor while slashing calories, fat, and sodium versus traditional frying methods. At just 70 or so calories per slice, you can cut out nearly 50 calories compared to pan-frying. Over a few strips the calorie savings is substantial, providing a guilt-free twist on a breakfast favorite. Just be mindful of portion control and cooking time to maximize nutrition benefits. While no preparation makes bacon the healthiest option, air frying lets you indulge in moderation as part of a balanced breakfast routine.