Air fryers have become an incredibly popular kitchen appliance in recent years Their ability to make crispy fried foods using little to no oil has made them a hit, especially among health-conscious cooks. One of the most common foods people like to make in their air fryer is bacon. But how many calories are actually in air fryer bacon compared to other cooking methods? In this in-depth article, we’ll take a close look at the calorie content of air fried bacon versus pan-fried, baked, and microwaved bacon We’ll also provide tips for cooking perfect crisp bacon in an air fryer every time!
An Overview of Bacon Nutrition
Before we dive into the calories in air fryer bacon specifically, let’s take a quick look at the basic nutritional value of bacon. Here are some key facts
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A standard serving size of bacon is around 3 ounces or about 3-4 average slices.
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Bacon is very high in fat – around 80% of its calories come from fat.
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It also contains a good amount of protein. A 3 ounce serving provides around 12-15 grams of protein.
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Bacon contains no carbohydrates.
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The calorie count can vary between brands, but on average, a 3 ounce serving of pan-fried bacon contains around 290 calories.
How Many Calories Are in Air Fryer Bacon?
When it comes to air fryer bacon, the number of calories will depend on a few factors:
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Type of bacon used – some are fattier than others
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Quantity cooked
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Level of doneness
But in general, here’s a calorie estimate for air fried bacon:
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A 3 ounce serving of bacon contains roughly 220 calories
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When cooked in an air fryer, about 3-4 slices (around 2 ounces) will have approximately 120-130 calories
So air frying reduces the calorie count by about 50-70 calories per serving compared to pan frying. While the reduction may seem minor, those calories add up if you eat bacon frequently.
Why Air Frying Reduces Calories
So why does air frying cut down on the calories? There are two main reasons:
1. Less fat is absorbed
Air frying uses extremely little oil – just the small amount of fat that renders out of the bacon itself. Since less oil is introduced, less fat and calories are absorbed into the bacon.
2. Excess fat drips away
In an air fryer, the rendered bacon fat drips down through perforated basket and accumulates in the bottom of the appliance. This excess fat isn’t consumed.
In contrast, pan frying cooks the bacon in its own rendered fat, leading to more calorie absorption.
More Benefits of Air Fried Bacon
In addition to having fewer calories, air fried bacon has other advantages over other cooking methods:
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Requires minimal preparation and cleanup
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Cooks food evenly with no flipping needed
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Infuses bacon with deliciously crispy texture
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Allows you to reuse rendered bacon fat for other cooking
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Doesn’t smoke up your kitchen like stovetop frying
For these reasons, many bacon aficionados are switching to air frying as their go-to cooking method. But for the best results, there are some tips to follow.
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Bacon
Cooking bacon in an air fryer is simple, but there are some steps you can take to get ideal texture and flavor every time.
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Use thick-cut, uncured bacon – Thin bacon can overcook quickly. Thick slices hold up better to air frying. Uncured bacon has better flavor.
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Cut slices in half – This allows more air flow around each piece for even cooking.
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Lay flat in single layer – Overcrowding will prevent proper crisping.
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Set air fryer to 400°F – This high heat helps render fat and crisp the bacon.
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Cook for 8-12 minutes – Adjust time based on thickness. Check periodically after 8 minutes.
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Blot on paper towels – This removes excess grease for crispier bacon.
Follow these tips and your air fryer bacon will turn out perfectly crispy every time!
How Air Fried Bacon Compares to Other Cooking Methods
To recap, air frying can reduce the calories in bacon by about 50-70 calories compared to pan frying or other methods. Here’s a quick look at how it stacks up:
Pan frying: Approximately 290 calories in 3 ounces of bacon
Air frying: Approximately 120-130 calories in 2 ounces of bacon
Baking: Can range from 150-200 calories for 2-3 ounces
Microwaving: Roughly 140-150 calories for 2 ounces
While air frying has a slight calorie advantage over baking or microwaving, its biggest benefit is producing bacon with a satisfying crispy texture without deep frying.
Calculating Calories in Homemade Air Fried Bacon
To determine the exact calories in the air fried bacon you make at home, follow these simple steps:
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Weigh raw bacon before cooking
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Record weight in ounces
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Cook bacon in air fryer
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Weigh cooked amount and record
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Use nutrition info on packaging to find calories per ounce
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Multiply calories per ounce by total cooked ounces
For example, if you cooked 4 ounces of bacon that contains 70 calories per ounce, you would calculate:
- 4 oz cooked bacon
- 70 calories per oz
- 4 * 70 = 280 total calories
This provides a precise calorie count tailored to the exact quantity of bacon you air fry.
Quick Recap of Benefits
To recap, here are some of the biggest benefits of air frying bacon:
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Cuts calorie count compared to pan frying
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Minimizes fat absorption for healthier meal
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Allows excess fat to drip away instead of being consumed
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Yields crispy, evenly cooked bacon without flipping
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Infuses smoky bacon flavor without frying smell
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cooks quickly with easy prep and cleanup
For these reasons, air frying makes enjoying bacon a bit less guilty!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about air fryer bacon:
How long does it take to cook bacon in an air fryer?
Cooking time can vary based on thickness, but average times are 8-12 minutes at 400°F. Check periodically after 8 minutes to avoid overcooking.
Can you put frozen bacon in an air fryer?
Yes, air fryers can cook frozen sliced bacon. Just add a couple extra minutes to the cook time. Defrosting first is easiest though.
Should you flip the bacon while air frying?
Flipping isn’t necessary since hot air circulates around the food. The bacon cooks evenly on both sides.
Does air fried bacon taste the same as pan fried?
While pan frying offers a unique flavor, air fried bacon produces similar crispiness and rich bacon taste.
What’s the best thickness of bacon to use?
For the best results, choose a medium to thick-cut bacon around 1/8-1/4 inch thickness. Avoid paper-thin bacon.
An Easy Air Fryer Bacon Recipe
To put all this bacon air frying info into practice, here is a super simple recipe to try:
Ingredients:
- 8-12 slices of thick-cut bacon
Directions:
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F
- Cut bacon slices in half
- Lay flat in air fryer basket without overlapping
- Air fry for 8-12 minutes, until crispy
- Transfer to paper towel-lined plate
Enjoy your hot, crispy, lower calorie air fried bacon on its own or on burgers, sandwiches, salads and more!
Conclusion
To wrap up, air frying can reduce the calories in bacon by about 50-70 calories per serving compared to pan frying while still delivering crispy texture. This makes it a great option for those monitoring their calorie and fat intake. Just be sure to use proper thicknesses and cooking times. Follow the tips in this article to get perfect results from your air fryer bacon every time. Enjoy all the crisp, smoky bacon flavor you love in a healthier way!