Toastie makers are known for churning out delicious melted cheese sandwiches. But did you know that with some creativity, you can cook way more than just cheese toasties in these handy appliances? You can even make crispy, mouthwatering bacon toasties!
As a busy home cook and bacon fanatic I love finding new ways to enjoy this tasty breakfast meat. While pan-frying is the usual route using a toastie maker to cook bacon opens up a whole new world of possibilities.
In this article, I’ll share how to cook bacon in a toastie maker, including:
- Why a toastie maker is great for cooking bacon
- Step-by-step instructions
- Tips to get perfectly crispy bacon every time
- Creative toastie recipes to try
- How to care for your toastie maker when cooking bacon
- Troubleshooting common bacon toastie issues
Let’s dive in and find out everything you need to know to make incredible bacon toasties at home with your trusty toastie maker!
Why Use a Toastie Maker for Cooking Bacon?
You may be wondering — why bother cooking bacon in an appliance meant for sandwiches? Here are some of the benefits of using a toastie maker
Even crisping: The hot plates cook from both sides simultaneously for consistent crisping all over. No flipping required!
Contains grease splatters: Unlike a skillet, the toastie maker keeps grease contained so your stovetop stays clean.
Quick cooking Bacon cooks fast between the hot plates, reducing splattering and shriveling
Compact size: Toastie makers take up less space than a large skillet. Great for small kitchens!
Hands-free: Simply add the bacon, lower the lid, and let the appliance work its magic.
Multitasking: You can cook other components of your breakfast or meal while the toastie maker crisps up the bacon.
With the convenience of even cooking and contained grease, toastie makers make cooking bacon a breeze. Now let’s get into the step-by-step method.
How to Cook Bacon in a Toastie Maker
Follow these simple steps for perfect crispy bacon from your toastie maker every time:
1. Preheat Your Toastie Maker
Always start by preheating the toastie maker for 3-5 minutes. This allows the plates to reach the proper cooking temperature before adding the bacon.
2. Add Bacon Slices
Place bacon slices directly onto the hot bottom plate. Make sure not to overcrowd them. Work in batches for even cooking if needed.
3. Close the Lid
Gently lower the top heating plate. Some pressing is fine, but don’t smash the bacon flat.
4. Cook Until Crispy
This takes just 2-4 minutes! Listen for sizzling and check frequently after the first 2 minutes.
5. Transfer to a Paper Towel-Lined Plate
Let the cooked crispy bacon drain on paper towels before eating or assembling into a toastie.
It’s that simple! The toastie maker does all the work for you. Now for some tips to take your bacon toasties to the next level.
Tips for Perfect Crispy Bacon Toasties
Here are my top tips for getting the best results when cooking bacon in a toastie maker:
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Use thin-sliced bacon for quick, even cooking. Thick slices may burn on the outside before the inside cooks through.
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Rotate the bacon slices halfway through cooking if they seem to be cooking unevenly. This helps prevent burning.
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Brush the toastie maker plates with a thin layer of oil before adding bacon to prevent sticking.
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tent the top plate slightly propped open to allow steam to escape and get extra crispness.
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Add ingredients like cheese or eggs in the last 1-2 minutes only, once bacon is nearly done.
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Allow the toastie maker to fully reheat between batches for consistent results.
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Wipe down the plates immediately after cooking bacon to prevent baked-on grease.
Follow these tips and you’ll have picture-perfect crispy bacon toasties in no time! Now let’s look at some creative ways to enjoy bacon from your toastie maker.
Toastie Recipes to Make with Bacon
Your toastie maker unleashes a whole world of tasty options beyond just plain bacon sandwiches. Here are a few favorite bacon toastie recipes to try:
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BLT toastie – Crispy bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayo. A classic for a reason!
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Bacon, egg, and cheese – Breakfast in sandwich form, now with toastie maker bacon.
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Bacon and avocado – For a twist, add sliced avocado and a dash of hot sauce.
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Bacon, apple, and brie – Sweet, salty, melty perfection.
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BBQ bacon toastie – Top crispy bacon with melty cheddar and tangy BBQ sauce.
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Candied bacon toastie – For a sweet treat, coat bacon slices with brown sugar or maple syrup before cooking.
From classic BLTs to delicious new flavor combos, the options are endless with toastie maker bacon!
But like cooking any food, there can be some hiccups. Next I’ll cover how to troubleshoot common issues.
Troubleshooting Bacon Toastie Problems
While cooking bacon in a toastie maker is fairly foolproof, here are some potential problems and how to avoid them:
Bacon undercooked: Make sure to preheat the toastie maker, use thin bacon slices, and cook for long enough.
Bacon burnt: Don’t overcrowd the toastie maker, tent the lid, reduce cooking time, and use medium-low heat.
Bacon stuck: Always brush the plates with oil first. Avoid pressing down on the lid too firmly.
Bacon uneven: Rotate slices midway through cooking to promote even crisping.
Grease buildup: Wipe down the toastie maker plates thoroughly after each use to prevent residue.
With a little trial and error, you’ll get the hang of cooking flawless bacon toasties every time. Proper care of your appliance also helps — especially after cooking bacon.
Caring for Your Toastie Maker After Cooking Bacon
Since bacon releases a good amount of grease, be sure to clean your toastie maker properly after use to keep it in top shape.
Follow these steps:
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Unplug and allow the toastie maker to cool completely before cleaning.
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Wipe down the cooking plates thoroughly with a paper towel to remove excess grease.
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Wash plates with hot soapy water and a gentle scrubbing brush to get into crevices.
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Dry plates fully with a towel. Run for a few minutes with the plates open to ensure no moisture remains before storing.
Taking the time to clean your appliance right after cooking bacon prevents any burnt-on residue from building up over time.
Get Toasty with Toastie Maker Bacon!
Adding bacon to your toastie maker repertoire opens up a whole new world of quick and easy breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack options!
With the right techniques, you can churn out perfectly crispy bacon toasties in minutes. Just adjust cooking times as needed based on thickness. And get creative with fun new toastie flavor combinations.
cooking bacon on a sandwich toaster
Can you cook bacon in a toastie maker?
The short answer is yes, you can cook bacon in a toastie maker. However, it’s important to note that you should cook the bacon first before putting it in the toastie maker. If you try to cook raw bacon in the toastie maker, it will not be cooked enough and may not be safe to eat.
How to make avocado toast?
Cut an avocado in half, remove the pit and scoop out the pulp with a spoon. Mash the avocado flesh with a fork in a small bowl. Add salt, pepper and lemon juice to taste and mix well. Toast a slice of wholemeal bread. Spread the avocado mixture on the toasted slice of bread. Add a poached egg on top of the avocado mixture. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
How to make a bacon and cheese toastie?
Place the sandwich in the toastie maker and cook until the cheese is melted and the bread is toasted. In just a few minutes, you’ll have a delicious bacon and cheese toastie that’s sure to satisfy your cravings.
How long does it take to cook bacon in a toastie?
Holy moly. You can make perfectly cooked bacon in the toastie in two and a half minutes, no joke. All you need for this life-changing revelation is some bacon and that’s it. No oil needed. Just a hot toastie maker, bacon and a few quick minutes. Pair with that fried egg above and you’re set.