How To Cook Frozen Bacon In An Air Fryer – Easy Recipe - Geeks That Cook (2024)

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Bacon is regularly part of a meal in our house, as it is in many others. That’s why it is great to know that you can cook frozen bacon in an air fryer.

Air fryers are amazing at cooking many frozen foods; frozen bacon is no exception. Your air fryer will cook the bacon evenly and crisply, without the need for oil. Not only is it a healthier way to cook bacon, but it’s also a time saver. Imagine having perfectly cooked bacon in minutes without the hassle of thawing.

This method of cooking bacon will surprise you with its ease and delicious results. In this article, I’ll walk you through the step-by-step process and provide tips and tricks to serve the crispiest bacon from frozen every time.

Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy breakfast option or a tasty addition to your favorite sandwich, read on to learn how to serve up the best bacon from frozen in an air fryer. There is a recipe card at the bottom of this post, the jump link is above.

Table of Contents

Why cook frozen bacon in an air fryer?

If you are on the fence, here are my top reasons for why you should stop bothering to thaw bacon in the fridge overnight and use your air fryer.

Great Results – Using the air fryer is my new favorite way to cook bacon and so many other foods. Air fryers are made for cooking frozen foods, to the extent I don’t use my traditional oven to cook frozen food anymore. The rapid circulation of hot air in the air fryer always results in evenly cooked and perfectly crispy frozen food.

Easy – Air frying frozen bacon could not be easier. The most challenging step will be finding the bacon in the freezer. Once you have found it, add frozen bacon to your air fryer.

Healthier – Unlike other frying methods there is no need to add any oil to the air fryer. Another plus is that the bacon grease drips to the bottom of the basket, away from the bacon as it cooks. Air-fried bacon doesn’t re-absorb that fat, this helps it crisp. It also results in fewer calories.

Easy Clean Up – By using an air fryer, you will spend less time cleaning up. There will be no fat splatters as there would be when frying in a pan.

How To Cook Frozen Bacon In An Air Fryer – Easy Recipe - Geeks That Cook (1)

How long does it take to cook frozen bacon in an air fryer?

It will take 5 minutes to defrost the bacon in the air fryer at 370 F (190 c). You can then separate it. Once separated it will take 8 – 10 minutes at 400 F (200 c) to cook the bacon.

How to cook frozen bacon in an air fryer

Once you have taken your bacon out of the freezer and removed the packaging, follow these steps to cook it perfectly.

Step 1 – Add the bacon for defrosting

The easiest way to defrost the bacon is to use the air fryer.

Place the frozen bacon in your air fryer basket.

There is no need to add any oil or a liner.

How To Cook Frozen Bacon In An Air Fryer – Easy Recipe - Geeks That Cook (2)

Step 2 – Defrost the bacon

Set your air fryer to 370 F (190 c) for 5 minutes and defrost the bacon.

Step 3 – Turn the frozen bacon

After 2 minutes and 30 seconds use kitchen tongs to turn the bacon and resume defrosting

Step 4 – Separate and organize the defrosted bacon

If you froze a large amount of bacon it might take longer to defrost. If needed continue defrosting until you can separate all the slices. Take out defrosted slices and put them on a plate. This will help the remaining frozen bacon defrost faster.

Once all the bacon has defrosted use the tongs to lay out the individual slices of bacon in a single layer.

Depending on the size of your air fryer you may need to remove half the bacon slices to cook in a second batch.

How To Cook Frozen Bacon In An Air Fryer – Easy Recipe - Geeks That Cook (3)

Step 5 – Cook

Increase the temperature to 400 F (200 c) and cook the bacon for 8 minutes.

Step 6 – Turn

Halfway through the cooking time use tongs to turn the bacon over. Once all the bacon has been turned over continue cooking for 4 minutes.

Step 7 – Check

After 8 minutes in total, check the bacon and see if it has reached your desired crispiness.

If not, cook for a further two minutes or longer. If this is your first time cooking frozen bacon in an air fryer you may want to check on the bacon more regularly to avoid overcooking it.

How To Cook Frozen Bacon In An Air Fryer – Easy Recipe - Geeks That Cook (4)

Step 8 – Serve

Once the bacon is cooked to your personal preference

Remove the now crispy bacon with tongs and place it on some paper towels to soak up any excess grease.

Then serve.

Top tips

Defrosting – Do not skip the defrosting step or use a higher temperature to speed things up. It will not produce the best results and the edges of the bacon will likely burn.

Single layer – Organize the bacon in a single layer, with as little overlapping of slices as possible. Do not be tempted to try and cook too much bacon at once. If needed cook the bacon in batches. This will produce the best results as the cooking process will not be disrupted.

Turn – To allow the bacon to fully crisp, turn the bacon halfway through the cooking time.

Different cook times – Bacon comes in various thicknesses, for example, thick-cut bacon will take longer to crisp than streaky bacon. Add or reduce cooking times to consider the thickness of your bacon and your desired level of crispiness.

How To Cook Frozen Bacon In An Air Fryer – Easy Recipe - Geeks That Cook (5)

Common questions

How do I store leftover bacon?

If you decide not to cook the second half of the bacon it can be stored in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to three days. Do not re-freeze.

If you have leftover cooked bacon once cooled, can be placed in an airtight container or freezer bag and kept for up to 3 days.

How can I stop my air fryer from smoking?

To stop an air fryer from producing smoke, especially when cooking greasy foods with a high-fat content like bacon I use one of two methods…

Water Method – Add two to three teaspoons of cold water to the bottom of the air fryer. This water cools the excess bacon fat that collects at the bottom of the air fryer. This reduces the amount of smoke produced as less of the fat burns off.

Bread Method – This is where a piece of bread is added to the bottom of the air fryer. The bread soaks up the excess fat as it drips to the bottom. This stops the fat from burning off and generating smoke.

Can I cook frozen thick-cut bacon?

Yes, any type of bacon can be cooked as I have described. Just vary the cooking time for thick-cut bacon due to it being thicker than regular bacon. I suggest adding at least an extra couple of minutes to the cooking time.

Related articles

Amazing Air Fryer Breakfast Recipes – A collection of air fryer breakfast recipes to inspire you to mix things up at breakfast times.

Best Air Fryer Bacon – If your bacon is not frozen, then this is the how to guide for you.

Air Fried Turkey Bacon – A step by step guide for cooking turkey bacon in an air fryer.

Best Air Fryer Frozen Food Recipes – All the best frozen food recipes in one place to help you make the most of your air fryer.

Recipe card

How To Cook Frozen Bacon In An Air Fryer – Easy Recipe - Geeks That Cook (6)

Frozen Bacon In An Air Fryer – Easy Recipe

How To Cook Frozen Bacon In An Air Fryer – Easy Recipe - Geeks That Cook (7)Adrian

Air fryers are amazing at cooking many frozen foods; frozen bacon is no exception. Your air fryer will cook the bacon evenly and crisply, without the need for oil. Not only is it a healthier way to cook bacon, but it's also a time saver. Imagine having perfectly cooked bacon in minutes without the hassle of thawing.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 2 minutes mins

Cook Time 13 minutes mins

Course Breakfast, Main Course, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 4 Slices (Depending on the size of your air fryer you will be able to cook more or less bacon, the steps remain the same)

Equipment

  • 1 Kitchen tongs

Ingredients

  • 1 Block Frozen bacon slices (number of bacon slices will vary depending on how many you froze)

Instructions

  • Add the bacon for defrosting The easiest way to defrost the bacon is to use the air fryer.

    Place the frozen bacon in your air fryer basket.

    There is no need to add any oil or a liner.

  • Defrost the bacon – Set your air fryer to 370 F (190 c) for 5 minutes and defrost the bacon.

  • Turn the frozen bacon – After 2 minutes and 30 seconds use kitchen tongs to turn the bacon and resume defrosting.

  • Separate and organize the defrosted bacon If you are trying to defrost a large amount of frozen bacon, you may need to repeat the above steps until all the bacon is defrosted. Remove defrosted slices and put them on a plate.

    Use the tongs to lay out the individual slices of bacon in a single layer.

    Depending on the size of your air fryer you may need to remove half the bacon slices to cook in a second batch.

  • Cook – Increase the temperature to 400 F (200 c)and cook the bacon for 8 minutes.

  • Turn – Halfway through the cooking time use tongs to turn the bacon over. Once all the bacon has been turned over continue cooking for 4 minutes.

  • Check – After 8 minutes in total, check the bacon and see if it has reached your desired crispiness.

    If not, cook for a further 2 minutes or longer. If this is your first time cooking frozen bacon in an air fryer you may want to check on the bacon more regularly to avoid overcooking it.

  • Serve – Once the bacon is cooked to your personal preference.

    Remove the now crispy bacon with tongs and place it on some paper towels to soak up any excess grease.

Keyword Bacon

How To Cook Frozen Bacon In An Air Fryer – Easy Recipe - Geeks That Cook (8)

Adrian

Adrian uses his air fryer to reduce the time it takes to provide nutritious meals for his family of five. Go to his about page to read how he has gone from surviving on ready meals and tinned food to cooking low-cost and nutritious food every day. If you want to send Adrian a message, please use his contact page.

How To Cook Frozen Bacon In An Air Fryer – Easy Recipe - Geeks That Cook (2024)

FAQs

Can you cook frozen bacon in air fryer? ›

So now it's breakfast time, you're craving some hot and crispy strips, and you wonder: can you cook frozen bacon in the air fryer? The answer is a resounding YES! Stick that whole block in the air fryer, cook until you can pull the strips apart, then continue as usual.

What is the best way to cook frozen bacon? ›

Simply lay out strips of frozen bacon into a frying pan—nonstick, stainless steel, and cast iron are all suitable options. For even cooking, ensure none of the strips are overlapping. Turn the burner on to medium and then cook the strips for 12 to 15 minutes, flipping midway through cooking.

Should I put water in air fryer when cooking bacon? ›

THIS IS IMPORTANT! Add 1 cup of water to the bottom of your air fryer basket before you cook the bacon. This will prevent the rendered bacon fat from creating smoke. As long as they don't overlap in the air fryer basket, you may be able to cook more than 4 strips of bacon at a time.

What is the best temperature to air fry bacon? ›

Bacon is safe to cook in the air fryer, but you need to make sure that you use the proper temperature and that your air fryer is clean before you begin. The best bacon air fryer temperature is 350 degrees F. This will crisp the bacon without causing it to smoke or burn.

Can you cook bacon straight from frozen? ›

Q: Can I Cook Bacon From Frozen? A: Yes, bacon can be cooked from frozen – fry the bacon on a low heat until the rashers begin to separate. Gradually increase the heat and fry the separated pieces of bacon until cooked through.

What temperature do you cook frozen bacon? ›

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Cover baking sheet with aluminum foil and wire rack goes on the top. Thawing frozen bacon is easy; Unwrap and place bacon in the microwave for 30 seconds, flip the bacon over, and again cook for 30 seconds.

How long does it take to cook frozen bacon? ›

Thawing Frozen Bacon In A Skillet

To thaw more quickly, cover it with a lid or foil and the steam will speed up the process. As the bacon thaws in the pan, you will be able to pull apart the strips using tongs. Make sure to flip the bacon over to thaw from both sides. It will be crispy in 15-20 minutes.

How do you crisp frozen cooked bacon? ›

Remove the frozen cooked bacon from the freezer and let it sit out on the kitchen counter for one hour to thaw. To reheat it, use one of these methods: Skillet – lay the frozen strips in the unheated frying pan. Turn the heat on to medium and reheat the bacon strips, turning once or twice, until hot and crispy.

Why does frozen bacon taste different? ›

When bacon is stored in the freezer, water is drawn out of it causing it to become saltier. So, yes, thawed bacon may taste a little saltier.

Do you put foil in the air fryer when cooking bacon? ›

Yes! Aluminum foil can be used in the air fryer. Sometimes I like to line the outer basket in foil to catch the drippings.

How do you keep bacon from splattering in an air fryer? ›

Unlike pan frying bacon, there's no splattering with air fryer bacon. I also add just under 1 cup of water to the air fryer basket to keep smoking at bay and to prevent any chances of splattering. Plus, clean up is easier with the water in the air fryer preventing any grease from baking on.

Can you fry an egg in an air fryer? ›

Tips for Getting the Perfect Fried Egg in an Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 370 °F (187 °C) for 3 minutes and don't forget to place the egg dishes inside. Once you crack the eggs into hot ramekins, the eggs will start cooking immediately. Cook your eggs on air fry mode (air crisp setting).

Can you put aluminum foil in air fryer? ›

However, it's pretty tempting to throw a little foil in there to catch any drips and make clean-up even easier, but is that allowed? The short answer is yes, you can put aluminum foil in the air fryer.

Does bacon taste good in air fryer? ›

Bacon tastes amazing, as always, but it's so easy to get it perfect in an air fryer. They're evenly cooked, tender or crisp. You can control how done they get. If you like it a bit on the tender side or the crisp side, either way it's going to be scrumptious.

Why can't you cook bacon from frozen? ›

Although it isn't the ideal way to cook it, bacon can be cooked from frozen. As the bacon is frozen, it will take slightly longer to cook if it's straight from the freezer rather than the fridge. As a result, you should allocate extra cooking time and ensure the bacon is cooked through before serving.

Does frozen cooked bacon taste good? ›

If you have more leftovers than you can use within the week, you can extend the shelf life of cooked meat by freezing it. With your bacon in the freezer, you can expect the same delicious flavor, texture and all-around quality for about two to three months.

How do you know when bacon is done? ›

As soon as bacon's meat layers turn brown, you can consider it fully cooked. The cooking process can be continued until the bacon slices reach the level of crispiness you desire. A deep reddish brown color is a good indicator that your bacon is both cooked and crispy.

What frozen food can you cook in air fryer? ›

15 Frozen Foods You Can Cook In Your Air Fryer
  • You'll never find us knocking frozen foods. They're quick and easy to make and a lot healthier than they were when you were little. ...
  • Fish Sticks. Courtesy of Amazon. ...
  • Chicken Wings. Courtesy of Amazon. ...
  • Potato Skins. ...
  • Pizza Bagels. ...
  • French Fries. ...
  • Chicken Nuggets. ...
  • Hot Pockets.
Mar 19, 2020

What is the best temp and time for bacon? ›

400 degrees fahrenheit works well for both regular and thick cut bacon. Heat your oven and cook the bacon for 10 to 20 minutes or until it's reached your desired level of crispiness. I do rotate the pan halfway through, just to ensure even cooking, but that's it.

What is the best temperature for bacon? ›

Bake at 400 Degrees F.

Some recipes recommend baking bacon at other temperatures or starting the bacon in a cold oven, but I found that a preheated 400 degrees F is the best temperature for baking bacon. It cooks the bacon evenly no matter its thickness and the bacon won't splatter.

Can you defrost in air fryer? ›

Frozen foods: Frozen snacks can be prepared in your Philips Airfryer as they are. It is not necessary to defrost frozen ingredients before preparing them in the appliance.

How do you defrost bacon in 5 minutes? ›

Preheat your oven to 300 degrees. Remove the frozen bacon from any packaging, and place the bacon on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. It should only take about five minutes to defrost in the oven.

Is frozen bacon good to eat? ›

Cured meats have a short shelf life, even in the freezer, because of the high fat content and the development of rancid flavors. Rancidity develops even in the freezer and the presence of the curing salts hastens its development. The Food Marketing Institute recommends that opened bacon not be frozen.

How do you make bacon crispy every time? ›

Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400F.
  2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  3. Arrange the strips of bacon on the baking sheet – the strips can be very close, but try to not have them overlap.
  4. Bake at 400F for 15-20 minutes – I usually check mine at 15 and leave them cooking for the full 20 to be extra crispy.
Jun 29, 2021

How do you cook bacon so it is not crispy? ›

Cook bacon in water.

Keep the heat at medium high while the water cooks off and turn down to medium until the bacon is browned and cooked evenly through. The water cools down the cooking temperature, which helps keep the bacon tender.

Why is restaurant bacon so much better? ›

The secret is pre-cooking your bacon

Regardless of the perfect meat-to-fat ratio and peak freshness, the real secret to diner-worthy bacon is the cooking method. According to Epicurious, par-cooking it in the oven is the preferred method of many restaurant owners.

Is 4 year old frozen bacon still good? ›

Editor: According to the USDA, fresh or thawed bacon should be used within 7 days. Technically, frozen food will stay safe to eat nearly indefinitely, but for the sake of quality and taste we tend to freeze bacon no more than a few months.

What is the white stuff on frozen bacon? ›

It's Moldy. Many bacteria, yeasts, and fungi are invisible to the naked eyed, but some fungi can form on the surface of bacon. If you notice any type of mold or growth on the product, your bacon has definitely gone bad.

Is it better to cook bacon in the air fryer or the oven? ›

Is it healthier to cook bacon in the air fryer? Since food is suspended in the air fryer basket, most of the excess fat from the bacon will be rendered off during cooking. This makes air-fried bacon significantly healthier than bacon cooked in the oven or on the stovetop, because it isn't cooking in its own grease.

Which side of foil goes in Airfryer? ›

The website explains that users must “mold and shape” the foil to the “basket” of the air fryer or the “food you're cooking.” Make sure to secure the foil to the basket or the food and not the bottom of the air fryer, as this would disrupt the air fryer's airflow and your food's cooking, according to southernliving.com ...

Is it better to cook bacon on parchment paper or foil? ›

The best way to cook bacon in the oven is on parchment paper because it allows for an easy cleanup. Once you're done and it's cooled down, simply roll all that grease up into the center of the parchment paper and throw it away!

What not to do when cooking bacon? ›

Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F*.
  2. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil (for easier clean up). ...
  3. Lay bacon slices in a single layer on the foil.
  4. Bake in the oven for 12-20 minutes, until bacon is cooked how you like it. ...
  5. Transfer the cooked bacon to a paper-towel lined plate to absorb excess grease.
Sep 3, 2021

Why is my air fryer smoking after cooking bacon? ›

Here's why: Bacon doesn't require any excess oil or butter to cook because it's so full of fat. So when hot air is circulated around the bacon, your air fryer will fill up with rendered bacon fat, which will then burn and maybe even release smoke from your machine.

Why do people add water when frying bacon? ›

Why Does Cooking Bacon in Water Work? The addition of water keeps the initial cooking temperature low and gentle, so the meat retains its moisture and stays tender as the fat renders. Plus, since the water helps render the fat, there will be significantly less splatter as your bacon finishes in the pan.

Can you use parchment paper in an air fryer? ›

Parchment paper can handle the heat inside your air fryer - up to 428°F (220°C). To get the best results, add the parchment paper to the air fryer basket at the same time as you add your ingredients. This prevents the paper from lifting up and coming into contact with the heating element while cooking.

What Cannot be fried in an air fryer? ›

8 Things You Probably Shouldn't Cook in an Air Fryer
  • Battered foods. Avoid placing wet batter in the air fryer. ...
  • Fresh greens. Leafy greens like spinach will cook unevenly because the machine uses high-speed air. ...
  • Whole roasts. ...
  • Cheese. ...
  • Raw grains. ...
  • Hamburgers. ...
  • Toast. ...
  • Popcorn.
Feb 23, 2023

Can glass go in air fryer? ›

Any glass you use in an air fryer should be tempered and oven-safe. The best options for air fryer cooking are those glasses made of borosilicate glass, like the well-known brand Pyrex. This particular type of glass is made in a 1000 degree F oven, making it super durable!

Can you cook a full breakfast in an air fryer? ›

Did you know you can cook a whole English breakfast in your air fryer? We didn't, but it can be a much quicker and healthier way than frying in a pan with lots of oil. Plus - there's less washing up too, win-win! This recipe includes an air fryer fried egg, crispy bacon, sausages, hash browns and baked beans.

Can you put paper towel in air fryer? ›

So, the question many people are asking is, can you put paper towels in air fryer? The answer is no; you can not! If you want to use them, they will pose a fire hazard and cause a fire in your home and your air fryer to combust. So, never, ever use a paper towel in the air fryer!

Can you reheat pizza in Airfryer? ›

Yes, you definitely can! Air frying is one of the best ways to reheat leftover pizza. In just a few minutes, you'll get perfectly hot pizza with a crispy crust and ooey, gooey melted cheese.

Should you fry bacon on high or low? ›

Using Heat That's Too High

Bacon cooks best low and slow. Whether on the stove or in the oven, don't cook it at a temperature that's too high or you risk uneven cooking, or worse, burned bacon.

Can you put frozen into air fryer? ›

Can You Put Frozen Foods in an Air Fryer? Yes! Frozen food in the air fryer comes out crispy and cook more quickly than if cooked in an oven. You can cook everything from frozen meat to frozen snacks to frozen appetizers!

Is cooking bacon in an air fryer messy? ›

less messy than the stovetop think, no more grease splattering everywhere. most air fryer parts are dishwasher safe. the bacon crisps up in less than 10 minutes. it's the crispiest bacon ever!

Can I put foil in an air fryer? ›

However, it's pretty tempting to throw a little foil in there to catch any drips and make clean-up even easier, but is that allowed? The short answer is yes, you can put aluminum foil in the air fryer.

Is it better to air fry frozen or thawed? ›

Do I need to defrost my food before air frying? No, you should generally never thaw frozen pre-cooked food you want to cook in an air fryer *. Cook itstraight from frozen for best results.

Do I need to defrost before Airfryer? ›

Frozen foods: Frozen snacks can be prepared in your Philips Airfryer as they are. It is not necessary to defrost frozen ingredients before preparing them in the appliance. Frozen ingredients do require slightly longer preparation time, but this will not influence the result.

Is bacon better air fried or baked? ›

Is it healthier to cook bacon in the air fryer? Since food is suspended in the air fryer basket, most of the excess fat from the bacon will be rendered off during cooking. This makes air-fried bacon significantly healthier than bacon cooked in the oven or on the stovetop, because it isn't cooking in its own grease.

Is bacon better in microwave or air fryer? ›

Cooking bacon in a microwave isn't much better. You can cook bacon in a hot oven on a wire rack so that the fat drips onto a sheet pan. I think the air fryer might actually be the best and healthiest method for cooking bacon. The fat drips to the bottom of the bucket or tray, depending on your type of fryer.

Can you air fry egg? ›

Preheat a 3.5-quart air fryer to 270 degrees F. Add the eggs to the fryer basket and cook 15 minutes for hard-boiled eggs. Remove the eggs and plunge them into an ice bath. Peel when cool enough to handle.

Why does my air fryer smoke when I cook bacon? ›

Here's why: Bacon doesn't require any excess oil or butter to cook because it's so full of fat. So when hot air is circulated around the bacon, your air fryer will fill up with rendered bacon fat, which will then burn and maybe even release smoke from your machine.

Why shouldn t you cook hamburgers in an air fryer? ›

According to the USDA, burgers only need to reach 160 F for the harmful bacteria to die. Because most air fryers are so powerful, the burger will reach that temperature rather quickly. However, since most burger patties are relatively small, the burger will cook through in a matter of minutes.

What I wish I knew before I get an air fryer? ›

7 Things You Should Know BEFORE Buying an Air Fryer
  • 1) It's loud.
  • 2) It smokes a lot.
  • 3) It only goes up to 400 degrees.
  • 4) You can't see the food.
  • 5) It won't do batter fried food.
  • 6) You still have to add oil.
  • 7) The inside is entirely coated with non-stick surfaces.
Feb 16, 2019

Can you boil spaghetti in an air fryer? ›

You don't need to boil the pasta separately and all you need is an air fryer to cook it. Simple is the best! Looking for more Pasta recipes? Try my Instant Pot Pasta in Red Sauce, Tomato Basil Pasta (15 minutes), One Pot Vegetable Pasta - only 20 minutes to dinner or White Sauce Pasta with Vegetables!

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