As an air fryer enthusiast, I was thrilled when I got my hands on the Emeril Lagasse Power AirFryer 360 This countertop convection oven air fryer is incredibly versatile and can be used to cook or bake just about anything However, one of my favorite things to make in it is crispy, delicious bacon!
The Emeril air fryer allows you to cook bacon to perfection with just the press of a button. No more babysitting bacon on the stovetop or dealing with the splatter mess. With the Emeril air fryer, the bacon comes out consistently crispy and cooked evenly – just how we all love it!
I’ve experimented with cooking bacon in the Emeril air fryer many times now and wanted to share some tips and tricks I’ve learned along the way. In this guide, I’ll walk you through step-by-step how to cook perfect bacon in the Emeril air fryer every time. Let’s get cookin’!
Benefits of Cooking Bacon in the Emeril Air Fryer
Before we get into the nitty gritty of how to cook bacon in the Emeril air fryer, let’s go over some of the benefits of using this method:
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Even cooking: The hot air circulates around the bacon in the air fryer basket, cooking it evenly on all sides. No more undercooked fatty spots!
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Perfect crispness: The air fryer dries out the bacon fat extremely well, leading to super crisp and crunchy bacon without burning it.
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Less greasy: A lot of the bacon grease drips down into the bottom of the air fryer rather than saturating the bacon. Less mess!
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Quick: It only takes 8-12 minutes to cook up a whole batch of bacon in the air fryer. Faster than the oven or stovetop.
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Easy cleanup: Aside from the air fryer basket, there are minimal dishes to wash afterward. The grease catches neatly in the bottom of the appliance.
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Consistent results: Takes the guesswork out of cooking bacon. Comes out perfect every single time.
Overall, the Emeril air fryer is absolutely my go-to appliance now for cooking bacon. The results are phenomenal!
Step-by-Step Guide to Cooking Bacon in the Emeril Air Fryer
Without further ado, let’s get into the step-by-step process of how to achieve delicious, crispy bacon in the Emeril air fryer:
1. Select Your Bacon
You can use any type of sliced bacon you’d like, whether thin or thick cut. I prefer thick cut for maximum crispness! Some great bacon brands to try are Oscar Mayer, Hormel Black Label, Wright Brand, or Nodine’s.
For quantities, I’d recommend cooking 6-8 slices at a time, depending on the size of your air fryer. You don’t want to overload the basket.
2. Prepare the Bacon
Take your bacon out of the package and lay the slices evenly in a single layer on some paper towels. Blot the top of each slice with more paper towels to soak up any excess moisture.
Let the bacon air dry like this for at least 15 minutes before cooking. The drier the surface of the bacon, the crispier it will get!
3. Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheat your Emeril Lagasse Power AirFryer 360 to 390°F. This is the ideal temperature I’ve found to get bacon perfectly crispy without burning.
4. Add the Bacon to the Basket
Next, add your bacon slices to the air fryer basket. Make sure the pieces aren’t overlapping.
You can line the basket with parchment paper or aluminum foil if you want for easier cleanup, but I find that the bacon doesn’t stick too badly to the bare basket.
5. Cook the Bacon
Program the air fryer to cook at 390°F for 8 minutes. The exact cooking time can vary a bit depending on how thick your bacon is and how crispy you like it.
I find 8 minutes yields crispy bacon with a tiny bit of chewiness left in the center. Go for 9-12 minutes if you prefer it super crispy and well-done.
6. Flip and Rotate the Bacon
After 8 minutes, open up the air fryer basket. Carefully flip each slice of bacon over using tongs. Also rotate their positions in the basket so the pieces on the edges move to the center.
Put the basket back in and cook for another 3-5 minutes depending on your desired level of crispness. This ensures the bacon cooks evenly.
7. Remove the Bacon and Drain
When the air fryer timer goes off, take the basket out right away. Transfer the bacon slices from the basket onto some paper towels to drain off excess grease.
Let them sit for 1-2 minutes before serving. The paper towels will soak up any remaining oil, leaving you with perfectly crisp bacon ready to enjoy!
8. Clean Your Air Fryer
Once the bacon has cooled a bit, it’s time to clean up. Carefully remove the leftover bacon grease from the bottom of the air fryer and dispose of it.
I like to take a paper towel and wipe out any remaining crumbs or debris from the basket and bottom tray. Then you’re all set for the next use!
Pro Cooking Tips and Tricks
Throughout my experiences cooking bacon in the Emeril air fryer, I’ve picked up some helpful tips for getting the best possible results:
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Play around with cook times based on your preferred level of crispness. I like 9-10 mins for shatteringly crispy bacon.
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Use thick cut bacon rather than thin cut. It holds up better to the hot air.
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Make sure your bacon slices aren’t overlapping in the basket so they cook evenly.
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Let the bacon air dry for 10-15 mins before cooking for maximum crispness.
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Flip and rearrange the bacon midway during cooking for even browning.
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Transfer cooked bacon right away to paper towels to drain. Don’t let it sit in grease.
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Add a baking sheet under the air fryer basket to catch any grease drippings if needed.
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Brush a small amount of maple syrup on the bacon before cooking for candied bacon!
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To reduce splatter, add 1/4 cup water to bottom tray before preheating air fryer.
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Cook bacon on lower racks if you want it flatter. Upper racks make it curl more.
Follow these tips and you’ll be making picture-perfect crunchy bacon in your Emeril Lagasse air fryer every time!
Frequently Asked Questions About Cooking Bacon in the Emeril Air Fryer
Here are answers to some of the most common questions I get asked about making bacon in the Emeril air fryer:
Should I use parchment paper or foil in the air fryer when cooking bacon?
You can use parchment or foil if you want for easier cleanup, but I don’t find it necessary. The bacon doesn’t stick badly to the bare basket.
How much bacon can I cook at once in the air fryer?
I recommend 6-8 slices at a time so it cooks evenly. Don’t overload the basket. Cook in batches for larger amounts.
Is thick cut or thin cut bacon better in the air fryer?
Thick cut bacon holds up better to the hot circulating air. Thin cut can overcook quickly and burn if you aren’t careful.
Do I need to flip the bacon while cooking in the air fryer?
Yes, always flip the bacon halfway during cooking and rotate pieces around the basket for even browning.
Why is my bacon getting burnt spots in the air fryer?
If your bacon is overlapping or crowded in the basket, it can lead to uneven cooking. Make sure your slices are in a single layer with space between.
How can I make my bacon less greasy after cooking it in the air fryer?
Letting it drain on paper towels after cooking will soak up excess grease. You can also blot the bacon before cooking to remove surface moisture.
What temperature should I cook bacon at in the Emeril air fryer?
390°F is ideal. The bacon comes out crispy without burning. Adjust cook time for your preferred level of crispness.
Get Creative with Air Fried Bacon Recipes
Aside from eating it straight up, air fried bacon is delicious crumbled on top of salads, burgers, baked potatoes, or scrambled eggs. But why stop there? Here are some fun recipe ideas to take your bacon game up a notch:
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Candied bacon – Brush slices with brown sugar, maple syrup, or honey before air frying. The sugars will caramelize as the bacon cooks.
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Bacon wrapped food – Wrap bites of meat, seafood, or veggies in partially cooked bacon and air fry until the bacon gets deliciously crispy.
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Bacon jam – Sauté diced bacon with onions, garlic, brown sugar and balsamic vinegar, then blend into a savory bacon jam spread.
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Bacon cheeseballs – Mix crispy crumbled bacon into cream cheese and cheddar cheese. Form into balls, skewer with toothpicks, and coat with sesame seeds before serving.
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Bacon fried rice – Toss cooked rice with soy sauce, sesame oil, scrambled eggs, peas, carrots and crispy bacon bits. So good!
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Bacon cheeseburger sliders – Top mini burger patties with cheddar cheese and bacon before air frying. Serve on mini buns with all the fixings.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to cooking with bacon! Use the air fried bacon as a topping for just about anything.
Conclusion
Thanks for learning all my best tips and tricks for getting perfectly cooked, crispy bacon out of the Emeril Lagasse Power AirFryer 360! This air fryer really does take all the hassle out of making great bacon.
With just a bit of prep time, you can fill your whole kitchen with the mouthwatering smell of air fried bacon in just minutes. I hope you found this guide helpful and get inspired to start cooking up batches of flawless bacon in your Emeril air fryer soon. Enjoy!