Bacon jerky has become an increasingly popular snack in recent years. This salty, smokey treat offers a convenient source of protein that you can take on-the-go. While bacon jerky was once only available from specialty shops, advances in countertop cooking appliances now allow you to make it easily at home.
One of the best tools for making bacon jerky is an air fryer. Air fryers use rapid air circulation technology to produce crispy, fried results without all the oil of traditional frying. This makes them ideal for achieving the texture you want in homemade bacon jerky.
In this article, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to make delicious bacon jerky in an air fryer.
Benefits of Making Bacon Jerky in an Air Fryer
There are a few key advantages to using an air fryer instead of oven baking to make bacon jerky
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Crispier texture – The circulating hot air of an air fryer crisps up the bacon beautifully. Oven baking can lead to limp or chewy jerky.
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Faster cooking time – Air fryers can cook bacon jerky in just 60-90 minutes while oven baking takes 2-3 hours.
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Less fat – Air frying eliminates the need to fry in grease. The bacon fat drips away, leading to a healthier end product.
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More flavor – Air frying helps concentrate flavors as moisture evaporates from the meat.
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Easy monitoring – Air fryers allow you to check the bacon’s progress without losing heat like when opening an oven.
For these reasons, an air fryer really is the best appliance for making bacon jerky. Now let’s go over the steps.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Bacon Jerky
Making bacon jerky in an air fryer only requires a few ingredients:
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Bacon – Use regular sliced bacon or bacon slices marketed as jerky meat.
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Curing Salt – This is a blend of salt and sodium nitrite that helps preserve meats. Jerky curing salts often include other seasonings too.
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Brown Sugar – For a touch of sweetness to balance the salty, smoky flavors.
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Optional seasonings – Black pepper, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, onion powder, liquid smoke.
That’s it! This simple list of ingredients allows the natural bacon flavor to shine.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Bacon Jerky in an Air Fryer
Follow this easy process for perfect air fryer bacon jerky:
1. Prepare the Bacon
Start with 1 pound of thick-cut bacon. Thinner slices will overcook and burn.
Cut each slice in half lengthwise so you have long strips for jerky. This increases the surface area for seasoning and makes it easier to eat.
2. Make the Curing Mix
In a small bowl, mix together:
- 1 Tbsp jerky curing salt
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1⁄4 tsp black pepper (optional)
You can also add any other spices you like such as red pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, or liquid smoke.
Mix well so all ingredients are evenly distributed.
3. Coat the Bacon
Place the bacon strips into a resealable bag or plastic container.
Sprinkle the curing mix over the bacon and toss to coat each piece evenly.
Make sure both sides of each strip get completely covered in the seasoning blend.
Seal the bag or container and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to overnight. This lets the cure permeate the meat for extra flavor and preservation.
4. Air Fry the Bacon
Once it’s cured, you’re ready to cook it!
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F.
Place the bacon strips in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure none of the pieces overlap.
Air fry for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, flip each strip. Then air fry for another 8-15 minutes until crispy.
Smaller air fryers may need to be cooked in two batches. Just repeat with the remaining bacon.
5. Cool and Store the Bacon Jerky
When finished cooking, remove the crispy bacon jerky strips from the air fryer basket and place on a paper towel lined plate or wire rack.
Let cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container or zip top bag for storage.
Properly stored, the bacon jerky will keep for 2-3 weeks at room temperature. It lasts even longer when stored in the refrigerator or freezer.
And that’s it – you now have delicious homemade bacon jerky ready anytime for snacking!
Tips for the Best Results
Here are a few additional tips to ensure your air fryer bacon jerky turns out perfectly:
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Pat the bacon strips very dry with paper towels before air frying. Any excess moisture will prevent crisping.
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Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper for easier cleanup.
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Remove excess bacon grease during cooking by carefully dabbing the strips with a paper towel.
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Adjust cook times based on your air fryer model and bacon thickness.
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Use a meat thermometer to confirm the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
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Let the cooked jerky cool completely before storing to prevent sogginess.
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Store in resealable plastic bags with the air pressed out or airtight containers.
Customize Your Air Fryer Bacon Jerky
Once you master the basics, get creative with different seasonings and ingredients! Consider mixing in:
- Chili powder, cayenne, or chipotle for spicy jerky
- Maple syrup instead of brown sugar for sweetness
- Soy sauce, fish sauce, or liquid aminos to amplify umami flavors
- Bourbon, whiskey, or rum extract for a bite of alcohol
- Crushed peppercorns, coriander, or fennel seeds for savory notes
You can also coat the bacon in the seasoning blend before curing for even more flavor. Just be sure to pat off any excess before air frying.
For a crunchy twist, coat with crushed pork rinds or parmesan cheese halfway through cooking.
Let your tastebuds guide you and come up with your own signature flavors. Homemade jerky is all about customizing to your preferences.
Enjoy Your Air Fryer Bacon Jerky!
Now that you know how to make bacon jerky easily in the air fryer, you can stop buying it and start making your own anytime the jerky craving strikes.
Keep a batch in your pantry for instant protein when heading out the door in the morning. Crumble it over salads at lunch for a smoky topping. Or enjoy it as an afternoon snack straight from the bag.
However you like to eat your bacon jerky, making it yourself allows you to control the quality and flavors. So get creative with your seasonings and see just how good this classic snack meat can be!