Air Fryer Turkey Bacon

Air Fryer turkey bacon is a 1 ingredient recipe ready in just 6 minutes! Perfectly crispy turkey bacon without the grease, splatter, or mess, making this the best way to complete a quick and easy breakfast on any given morning!

You might be wondering why you would need a recipe for something with just a single ingredient. The truth is, we’ve all had those moments where we learn a new tip, trick, or life hack that seems so obvious and we think to ourselves, “why didn’t I think of this before?!”

This recipe for air fryer turkey bacon is exactly that. It’s a time-saving kitchen hack that every busy household needs. It’s a simple way to getting a quick breakfast on the table. Using turkey bacon is lower in cholesterol than pork bacon and there’s no extra grease splatter or mess!

Let the air fryer do its thing and you’ll have beautifully crisp, slightly salty, bacon with minimal effort and time to focus on the other elements of your breakfast or brunch.

Serve with a side of pancakes, a glass of orange juice, or some eggs and you’ve got a protein-packed breakfast ready in no time!

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS

• It’s fast! You can cook a batch of bacon in just 6 minutes. Perfect for serving large crowds.
• A healthier alternative to pork bacon if you’re watching your cholesterol. Choose low sodium if you can.
• No splatter. I know you know the splatter I’m talking about! Cooking bacon on the stove always comes with extra grease splatter. This method eliminates all of that mess.
• Leftover bacon. If you have leftover bacon, crumble it up and use it as a topping for salads, use some strips for lunch wraps, or have them ready to reheat for breakfast the next day.

IS TURKEY BACON HEALTHY?

Health is individual. What is considered healthy for one person, isn’t necessarily healthy for another. Turkey bacon is lower in fat and calories than pork bacon, but outside of that, the two are quite similar. Both are high in sodium, both are processed meats, and both are incredibly delicious! ha. Enjoying any kind of bacon is always best done in moderation.

It really depends on what you and your family’s dietary needs are to determine if turkey bacon is the healthier choice for you.

Cured vs Uncured

If you’ve ever picked up a package of turkey bacon and wondered what the difference between cured and uncured is, the difference is in how it is preserved. Cured bacon, which will resemble pork bacon more closely than uncured, is preserved with sodium and artificial nitrates. Uncured bacon is typically preserved more naturally, using salt and flavorings such as celery, parsley, or beets.

HOW TO USE THE AIR FRYER FOR TURKEY BACON

You may need to cook in batches if you’re planning on making the whole package of bacon.

Step 1: Preheat the air fryer to 370 degrees and open your package of bacon.

Step 2: Place bacon in a single layer being careful not to overlap. You want the air circulating all over each individual strip to be able to crisp up nicely. Spray cooking spray on the top of the turkey bacon. Unlike pork bacon, turkey bacon has less grease so it needs a little bit of oil to help it crisp up.

Step 3: Cook for 5-7 minutes or until crispy. If you want it even crispier, flip strips halfway through the cooking time.

CAN I USE THIS RECIPE FOR PORK BACON?

Absolutely! If you’re serving a bit of both, by all means, use the air fryer for crispy pork bacon as well. To make Air Fryer Bacon, you’ll need to set it to 400 degrees and cook for 10 minutes, but the directions remain the same except there’s no need for cooking spray since pork bacon is naturally greasy.

TIPS FOR SUCCESS

• Whether you have a basket or not, this recipe will work and the directions are the same!
• If using uncured bacon, you may find you need a little extra cook time for added crispness.
• Every air fryer is different, so keep an eye out at the 5-minute mark. Check for desired texture.
• Working in batches allows you to lay the bacon strips out in a single layer without overlapping or overcrowding. For even cooking, even distribution of heat is important.
• There is no limit to how many strips you can cook! Double the recipe for serving large crowds, or cut it in half if you’re whipping up a quick breakfast for you and the kids.

WAYS TO ENJOY TURKEY BACON

Serve it alongside your favorite egg dish (scrambled, fried, over easy, or eggs benedict). Replace pork bacon with turkey bacon in any of your favorite recipes, like a BLT sandwich, a club sandwich, or a chicken caesar wrap! Crumble it up and use it as a pizza topping, salad topping, or loaded baked potato topping. Add it in a casserole or candy-coat it for a twist on pig candy and enjoy it as a snack or appetizer!