10 Bacon Recipes That You Can Try With The Air Fryer

If your idea of the perfect breakfast is eggs sunny side up, some hash browns, a stack of bacon and then a side of more bacon, then you need to read on! There is something about the aroma that fills the kitchen when you put slices of thinly cut bacon on a hot pan; as the bacon sizzles and shrinks, you know you are in for a salty, delicious treat! And while there are some people who are not overly fond of bacon, there is no denying that it offers a delicious burst of flavour and it works really well in so many dishes.

How to cook bacon in air fryer – starting with the basics

Before we get into how to make all those delicious decadent recipes that involve bacon, let’s first take a look at how to cook bacon in air fryer. Once you have mastered the simple talent of making soft or crisp bacon in the air fryer, you will be able to use it not only on its own, but also create a whole range of recipes with this versatile ingredient.

Here is how you get perfect bacon, every time in an air fryer:

Preheat the air fryer at around 200*C for 5 minutes, while you lay out the bacon flat and in a single line in the tray.
Reduce the temperature to 180*C and let it cook for 7 minutes, before flipping the pieces over and cooking for another 5-7 minutes.
While regular cut bacon should be ready in this much time, you might need a little extra time for thick cut bacon.
In case you want softer bacon, you will want to reduce the time you are keeping the strips in the air fryer.

Now that you have the basics of how to get perfectly cooked bacon, we can move onto the actual recipes!

10 interesting bacon recipes in air fryer that you can try!

Let’s get into some simple and absolutely lip-smacking recipes, all of which utilise bacon – while some need precooked bacon, others will have bacon as a hero ingredient.

The classic BLT – The Bacon Lettuce Tomato sandwich has been around for a really long time and the next time you feel like making one for yourself, add a twist to the bacon. Brush a little maple syrup and sprinkle some paprika on the bacon strips before placing them in the air fryer. Now, when you add the cooked crispy bacon to your sandwich, you will have a sweet and spicy kick that you will certainly enjoy and that will go perfectly with the crunchy lettuce and soft tomatoes!
BLT pasta – Yup, you can even make a BLT pasta! Cook your pasta as per the packet instructions and keep aside and do the same with the bacon too. In a pan, add some of the bacon drippings and cook some chopped onions, garlic, red peppers and season with salt and pepper. Add some chopped tomatoes and let it cook. Add the pasta and finish with arugula instead of lettuce and top with chopped bacon and parmesan shavings!
Bacon wrapped poppers – Who doesn’t like poppers and when you are looking for a party starter, there is nothing better than jalapeno poppers. Create a stuffing with cream cheese and pepper jack cheese and stuff them into the hollowed out jalapeno. Now wrap each jalapeno with thin cut bacon and lightly brush with some olive oil. Now, place these in the air fryer until the bacon is cooked and the cheese is melty and bubbly!
Bacon jalapeño corn salad – If you really enjoy corn salads, then you can try this one! Roast your corn and cut the kernels out; now mix with crushed crispy bacon, finely chopped jalapenos and a dressing made with cream cheese, lemon juice, salt and pepper. This is a great side for any meal and even barbecue times!
Broccoli salad – This one is for the broccoli detesters, because once you taste this salad, you will want to bring broccoli home every other day! Cut and wash your broccoli florets and toss in some olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast in a pre-heated oven and remove into a bowl. Make sure that you cook your bacon in air fryer till crispy perfection. Now add some chopped carrots, red onions and plenty of chopped. A simple apple cider vinegar dressing will be more than enough and you can add some sliced garlic to the dressing as well.
Stuffed mushrooms – This is yet another superb party starter and doesn’t need a lot of ingredients. Clean out some large sized mushrooms (button mushrooms work the best) and chop the stalks of the mushrooms finely. Mix these with equal proportions or cheese and breadcrumbs and a generous portion of crispy bacon that has been crumbled up. Stuff these into the mushroom cups and top with some more cheese, before placing them in the airfryer tray and cooking at 180*C till the cheese is melted.
Bacon guacamole – Give your guacamole a bacon twist! Make your guacamole like you usually make it – mash some avocados, add some finely chopped onions, tomatoes and cilantro leaves. Add chopped jalapenos, salt, lemon juice and mix well, before topping with crispy, crumbled bacon!
Bacon fried rice – If you have leftover rice sitting in your fridge and some basic veggies, this is a recipe you will want to try out. In a wok or large sauté pan, add some oil and cook the white portions of green onions, chopped garlic and ginger. Break in eggs and scramble them, before adding the rice. Top with chopped bacon, spring onion greens and a drizzle of sesame oil for a one pot lunch or dinner!
Bacon-potato pancake – As exotic as it might sound, this is one of the easiest recipes you can make and once you get your bacon in airfryer ready, there is not much else to do. Grate peeled potatoes and squeeze out all the water; mix with grated green onion, crushed bacon, salt and pepper. Now, in a griddle, place the mixture and cook on both sides and lace with a little oil and cook on a slow flame till brown and crispy.
Cheesy bacon popcorn – When you are cooking the bacon in the air fryer, there are bound to be some drippings, which will collect in the bottom of the tray. Rather than throwing that out, why not flavour your popcorn! Cook your popcorn in the drippings and once the popcorn is ready, top with crumbled bacon and grated cheese!