Air fryer turkey bacon is a delicious and healthier alternative to regular pork bacon. When cooked in an air fryer, turkey bacon comes out crispy on the outside while remaining juicy on the inside. Air frying turkey bacon is a quick and easy cooking method that allows you to skip frying bacon in grease on the stovetop. The circulated hot air in the air fryer crisps up the turkey bacon evenly and locks in moisture. Below we’ll discuss the many benefits of cooking turkey bacon in an air fryer, provide a simple recipe, serving ideas, variations, and answer frequently asked questions. After reading this guide, you’ll be ready to make perfect air fryer turkey bacon at home.
Why Choose Air Fryer Turkey Bacon?
Air fryer turkey bacon has several advantages over regular pork bacon:
- Healthier fat profile – Turkey is much leaner than pork. Each slice has around 1/3 the calories and fat as regular bacon.
- Fewer preservatives – Most turkey bacon is cured without nitrates or nitrites. This reduces cancer risk from processed meats.
- Crispier texture – The circulating hot air of an air fryer crisps up turkey bacon deliciously. No soggy bacon here!
- Quick and easy – Turkey bacon cooks fast in an air fryer. Set it and forget it for hands-off cooking.
- Versatile – Use air fryer turkey bacon as a breakfast meat or in recipes for lunch, dinner, and snacks.
If you’re looking for a tasty bacon fix that’s better for your health, air frying turkey bacon is the way to go. The crisp results will make you forget it’s not real pork bacon.
Benefits Of Air Fryer Turkey Bacon
Switching from skillet-cooked bacon to air fried bacon provides some excellent benefits:
Healthier Cooking Method
- Less fat – The air fryer requires little to no oil for crisping food. Skillet cooking submerges bacon in hot grease.
- Fewer calories – With no oil, air frying eliminates 100+ calories per serving of bacon. Great for diets.
- Reduced AGEs – Frying generates advanced glycation end products that cause inflammation. Air frying avoids this.
Better Texture
- Crispiness – The circulating hot air crisps up turkey bacon perfectly on all sides.
- No sogginess – There’s no risk of undercooked, limp bacon like in a skillet.
- Crunchiness – Air frying achieves that highly desirable crunchy bacon texture we all crave.
Fast and Easy Cooking
- Quick cooking – Turkey bacon cooks 30-50% faster in an air fryer vs oven.
- Hands-off – Just set the time and temperature. No need to watch over it.
- No splatter – With no oils, there’s no bacon grease splattering your stovetop.
- Easy cleanup – Not having to clean a greasy skillet makes cleanup a breeze.
Air frying makes enjoying crispy turkey bacon simple and worry-free.
Air Fryer Turkey Bacon Recipe
This simple recipe will give you perfect crispy turkey bacon from your air fryer every time.
Ingredients:
- Turkey bacon slices
- Seasonings (optional)
Equipment:
- Air fryer
- Cooking spray or oil
Instructions:
- Pre-heat air fryer to 380°F.
- Spray air fryer basket lightly with cooking spray or brush with oil.
- Place turkey bacon slices in a single layer in the basket. Make sure not to overcrowd.
- Air fry for 10-15 minutes, flipping bacon halfway through.
- Bacon is done when crispy and golden brown.
- Remove from air fryer and dab oil with paper towel if desired.
- Season with pepper, brown sugar, cayenne, or other spices if desired.
- Allow to slightly cool before eating to avoid burning your mouth.
Tips:
- Try thick-cut turkey bacon for best results. Regular sliced bacon may overcook.
- Don’t overlap bacon or it won’t crisp evenly. Leave a little space between each slice.
- For extra crispiness, extend cooking time to 17-18 minutes.
- If air fryer doesn’t have a basket, place bacon on the perforated tray.
Serving Ideas for Air Fryer Turkey Bacon
Air fryer turkey bacon is very versatile. Here are some ideas for enjoying it:
Breakfast Ideas
- Classic breakfast – Eggs, turkey bacon, toast or hashbrowns
- Bacon egg cups – Line muffin tins with turkey bacon and crack an egg inside. Air fry.
- Bacon pancake dippers – Dip pancakes in maple syrup with crumbled turkey bacon on top.
- BLT sandwich – Crispy turkey bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayo on bread.
- Bacon avocado toast – Top avocado toast with air fried turkey bacon.
Lunch Ideas
- Turkey club sandwich – Turkey, bacon, lettuce, tomato, mayo on bread.
- Cobb salad – Chopped turkey bacon on salad greens with chicken, egg, avocado, cheese.
- Broccoli turkey bacon salad – Toasted almonds, dried cranberries, poppyseed dressing.
- Grilled cheese with bacon – Melty cheese and turkey bacon in toasted bread.
Dinner Ideas
- Bacon cheeseburgers – Beef patties topped with cheese and turkey bacon.
- Bacon wrapped meatloaf – Make meatloaf mixture and wrap in turkey bacon. Air fry.
- Scallops with bacon – Wrap scallops in turkey bacon and secure with toothpick. Air fry.
- Bacon mac and cheese – Crispy turkey bacon baked into macaroni and cheese.
Variations for Air Fryer Turkey Bacon
There are many ways to customize the flavor of your air fried turkey bacon:
- Spices: Coat turkey bacon with cracked black pepper, chili powder, cayenne, paprika, or Italian seasoning before air frying.
- Maple bacon: Brush turkey bacon with maple syrup before cooking for candied bacon.
- BBQ bacon: Toss cooked turkey bacon with BBQ sauce and air fry 2-3 mins more.
- Candied bacon: Coat cooked turkey bacon in brown sugar and cayenne. Air fry 1-2 mins more until candied.
- Cheesy bacon: Sprinkle shredded cheese over turkey bacon for the last 2 mins of cooking time.
Get creative and use your favorite seasonings on air fried turkey bacon!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you cook frozen turkey bacon in an air fryer?
Frozen turkey bacon can go straight into the air fryer. Add 1-3 extra minutes to the cook time. The circulating hot air will thaw and cook the bacon.
What’s the best air fryer for cooking bacon?
Look for an air fryer with at least 3 quarts capacity. This allows room for the bacon to lay flat. Digital controls with adjustable time and temperature are helpful too.
How do you store leftover turkey bacon from the air fryer?
Place cooled leftover turkey bacon in an airtight container and refrigerate up to 4-5 days. Reheat in the air fryer or microwave as needed.
Is air fried turkey bacon healthier than oven baked?
Air frying uses no added fat for crisping compared to baking which may use oil or butter. Air frying also cooks bacon evenly with crispier results.
Conclusion: Air Fryer Turkey Bacon
Air fryer turkey bacon is crunchy, delicious, and healthier than pork bacon. The circulating hot air of an air fryer perfectly crisps up turkey bacon with less fat than frying or baking. Follow the easy recipe, get creative with flavors, and enjoy quick weekday breakfasts and lunches featuring air fryer turkey bacon. Your family will love it! Now that you’ve learned all about making turkey bacon in an air fryer, it’s time to try it yourself. With just a few ingredients and 10-15 minutes cook time, you can be enjoying healthy and tasty crispy air fried turkey bacon.
Air Fryer Turkey Bacon
Notes
· Cooking Time: Cooking time may vary slightly depending on the thickness of your turkey bacon and your desired level of crispiness. Start checking for doneness at the 4-minute mark and adjust cooking time accordingly.
· Overcrowding: Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. This will prevent the bacon from crisping evenly. Cook in batches if necessary.
· Crispy Bacon: For extra crispy bacon, preheat the air fryer to a higher temperature (around 400°F) or cook for an additional minute or two.
· Leftovers: Leftover air-fried turkey bacon can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer or a skillet until warmed through.
Ingredients
- • 1 package (around 12-16 slices) turkey bacon
- • Non-stick cooking spray (for a crispier result)
- • Ground black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat: Preheat your air fryer to 390°F (199°C) for 5 minutes.
- Prepare the Bacon: Lay out the turkey bacon slices. If using, spray the air fryer basket lightly with non-stick cooking spray.
- Arrange the Bacon: Place the turkey bacon slices in a single layer in the preheated air fryer basket, making sure they don't overlap.
- Cook: Cook the turkey bacon for 4-5 minutes.
- Flip and Cook Again: Flip the turkey bacon slices and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until desired crispiness is reached.
- Serve: Remove the cooked turkey bacon from the air fryer and serve immediately. Season with ground black pepper, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Air Fryer Turkey Bacon
Serves: 4 persons
| Amount Per Serving: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 35 | |
| % Daily Value* | ||
| Total Fat 2.5 | 3.1% | |
| Saturated Fat 1 | 5% | |
| Trans Fat 0 | ||
| Cholesterol 15mg | 5% | |
| Sodium 140mg | 5.8% | |
| Total Carbohydrate 1 | 0.3% | |
| Dietary Fiber 0 | 0 | |
| Sugars 0 | ||
| Protein 2 | ||
| Vitamin A 0 | Vitamin C 0 | |
| Calcium 0 | Iron 0 | |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Cheen Huaye
Executive Chef Marco Velasquez brings his unique, elevated Mexican cuisine to Cheen Huaye. A native of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, Marco honed his skills in some of South Florida’s finest restaurants before opening his own restaurant.
At Cheen Huaye, you’ll experience authentic Yucatecan dishes made from fresh ingredients, to order. Our food has been praised by publications like the Miami New Times and continues to receive rave reviews from diners all over. So if you’re looking for a different take on Mexican food – one that’s still familiar yet exciting – come visit us at Cheen Huaye!