Make Perfectly Crispy Bacon Jerky at Home Using an Air Fryer

This is the best bacon jerky you’ll ever make yourself! It’s made with maple syrup, brown sugar, and soy sauce, plus some smoke. Its so easy to make and you can make this jerky in the oven, smoker or dehydrator.

Bacon jerky has become a wildly popular high-protein snack. With its salty, smoky flavor and portability, it’s easy to see why people love this meaty treat. While bacon jerky was once only available at specialty shops, the rise of countertop air fryers now allows you to easily make your own at home.

Air frying is actually the ideal method for achieving the texture you want in homemade bacon jerky. The technology cooks food by quickly circulating hot air around it, producing a crispy exterior with less oil than traditional frying. This makes an air fryer the perfect tool to transform regular bacon into bacon jerky with the ideal chewy-crisp consistency.

Benefits of Using an Air Fryer for Bacon Jerky

There are several advantages to making bacon jerky in an air fryer rather than the oven:

  • Crispier texture – Air fryers dehydrate and crisp the bacon beautifully. Oven baking can lead to limp rubbery jerky.

  • Faster cook time – Bacon jerky can be ready in just 60-90 minutes in an air fryer versus 2-3 hours in the oven,

  • Less fat – No need for added frying oil. Excess bacon grease drips away while air frying.

  • Intensified flavor – Moisture evaporates faster, concentrating the smoky bacon taste.

  • Easy monitoring – The air fryer design lets you check doneness without significant heat loss.

For these reasons, an air fryer really is the best appliance for making restaurant-quality bacon jerky at home.

Ingredients Needed

Only a few ingredients are required to make delicious bacon jerky in the air fryer:

  • Bacon – Use regular sliced bacon or pre-cut jerky strips. Go thick-cut for best results.

  • Curing Salt – Helps preserve and add flavor. Look for jerky cure blends.

  • Brown Sugar – Adds a touch of sweetness to balance the saltiness.

  • Spices – Black pepper, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, liquid smoke, etc.

That’s it! The natural flavor of the bacon should take center stage.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps for air fryer bacon jerky success:

  1. Prepare the Bacon – Trim slices in half lengthwise for jerky-style strips. This gives more surface area for seasoning.

  2. Make Curing Mix – Whisk together 1 tbsp jerky cure, 1 tsp brown sugar, and any spices like black pepper.

  3. Coat the Bacon – Place bacon in a bag or container, sprinkle on curing mix, and toss to distribute evenly. Refrigerate 2+ hours.

  4. Air Fry the Bacon – Preheat air fryer to 375°F. Cook bacon strips in single layer for 15 minutes, flip, then cook 8-15 more minutes, until crisped.

  5. Cool and Store – Let jerky cool completely on a rack before storing in an airtight container.

And your air fried bacon jerky is ready to enjoy!

Tips for Perfect Results

Follow these tips for the very best air fryer bacon jerky:

  • Choose thick-cut bacon around 1⁄4 inch thick – thin slices overcook.

  • Pat bacon very dry before seasoning and air frying to maximize crispness.

  • Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

  • Blot strips with a paper towel during cooking to remove excess bacon grease.

  • Adjust cook times based on bacon thickness and air fryer size.

  • Use a meat thermometer to confirm internal temperature reaches 145°F when done.

  • Let jerky cool completely before storage to prevent sogginess.

  • Store in sealable plastic bags or airtight containers, pressing out air.

Get Creative with Flavorings

Once you perfect the basic recipe, get creative with spices, herbs, sauces, and more:

  • Chili powder and cayenne pepper for spicy jerky

  • Maple syrup instead of brown sugar for sweetness

  • Soy sauce, fish sauce, or liquid aminos for umami

  • Bourbon, rum, or whiskey extracts for a bite of alcohol

  • Crushed peppercorns, coriander, or fennel seeds for savory depth

  • Coat in seasoned salt or Cajun seasoning before curing

  • Toss in crushed pork rinds or parmesan cheese midway through cooking

Let your preferences guide you – homemade jerky is all about customizing flavors!

Enjoy Your Air Fried Bacon Jerky

Now that you know how easy it is to make bacon jerky in the air fryer, you can stop buying it and start making your own anytime the craving strikes. Keep a batch on hand for nutritious on-the-go protein or just for snacking anytime. Customize it to your taste and enjoy jerky exactly how you like it!

how to make bacon jerky in air fryer

To make in a dehydrator:

Step one:

First, prepare the sugar and soy sauce according to the oven method directions.

Step two:

Then coat each piece of bacon in the sauce and place the coated bacon into your dehydrator. Leave a little space between each slice.

Step three:

Then dehydrate the bacon for 4-6 hours, until the jerky has the consistency you prefer.

Why you will love this recipe:

  • A little sweet, a little salty, and a little smoky: this maple bacon jerky tastes great. It tastes great because the maple syrup, brown sugar, and soy sauce all work well together.
  • Made from scratch, it’s so quick and easy to make that you only need a few minutes of your time to get it ready.
  • You can use the oven, a dehydrator, or a smoker to make this jerky recipe. I’ve included instructions for all three.
  • This jerky recipe is easy to change the flavors of to make different kinds, like sriracha bacon jerky, BBQ bacon jerky, or spicy bacon jerky.
  • You can choose which ingredients go into this jerky, so it is healthier than most bacon jerkies you can buy in stores. It is also made without refined sugars or preservatives.
  • That’s the perfect snack, and it’s easy to grab and go. It’s also great for making ahead of time so you have snacks for the week.

If you love bacon you will also love making bacon in the Instant Pot.

  • Bacon – the key ingredient for this recipe. If you can find it, use thick-cut or thickly sliced bacon. If you can’t find that, use sugar- and nitrate-free bacon. Otherwise any brand of bacon will do.
  • Maple syrup—to make the perfect maple bacon flavor without adding any added sugar
  • Brown sugar—to help the bacon jerky get the perfect sweet coating If you don’t want to use refined sugar in this jerky recipe, you can use coconut sugar instead of brown sugar. For a stronger, smokeier taste, you can also use dark brown sugar.
  • Soy sauce—to add just the right amount of salt and unagi flavor You can also use tamari, coconut aminos, or gluten-free soy sauce instead.

How to Make Bacon Jerky – Bacon Jerky Easy and Delicious

Can You air Fry jerky?

Preheat your air fryer to 160°F. Arrange the seasoned meat strips in the basket of the air fryer, making sure they’re not touching. If you’re making a large batch of jerky, you may need to cook it in multiple batches. Air fry the jerky for 2-3 hours, or until it’s fully dried and reaches your desired level of chewiness.

Can one cook broccoli in an air fryer?

Yes, you can cook broccoli in the air fryer like any other vegetable. You can add a little salt, garlic powder and pepper to enhance the flavor.

How to cook bacon jerky?

From a high level, we want to cook bacon jerky low and slow. This can either be done in the oven or in a smoker depending on the equipment that you have. Making bacon jerky in the oven is a little easier and a set it and forget it style of cooking.

How do you smoke bacon jerky?

Sweet bacon jerky that will excite ALL of your taste buds. Pre-heat smoker to 200°F. Place bacon directly on smoker rack or on a cooling rack atop a baking dish making sure the pieces are NOT touching. Smoke for 4-6 hours until jerky has become dried but still pliable. Remove a piece and allow to cool for 5 minutes before testing.

How long do you air Fry jerky?

Air fry the jerky for 2-3 hours, or until it’s fully dried and reaches your desired level of chewiness. You may need to adjust the cooking time depending on the thickness of your meat and your personal preference. You can also experiment with different cooking temperatures and times to find the perfect texture and flavor for your jerky.

Can you cook bacon jerky in a dehydrator?

If using a dehydrator, transfer your bacon to your food dehydrator. Continue to cook your bacon in either the dehydrator or oven. You can lower your temperature to around 160-190°F in the dehydrator or remain at 200°F in the oven. Step 6: Cook for an additional 2-3 hours in the dehydrator or oven until your bacon jerky reaches desired texture.

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