Air fryers have revolutionized the way we cook, offering a healthier alternative to traditional cooking methods such as stovetop, oven, or microwave. And when it comes to enjoying bacon, air fryers are a game-changer. They work by circulating hot air in a compact convection oven, achieving irresistible crispiness while letting the fat drain, giving you delicious bacon without the grease. No wonder air fryers are fast becoming home cooks’ favorite appliance! 

Here, we’ll dive into how air fryers stack up against other cooking methods, answer the most asked questions about bacon and air fryers, and offer tips and tricks on how to air fry the perfect piece of Godshall’s bacon. 

How Do Air Fryers Compare to Other Cooking Methods?

Different cooking methods yield different results for bacon depending on your preferences and desired texture. Let’s explore how air fryers stack up against other popular methods for cooking Godshall’s bacon at home.

Air Fryer

• It’s convenient and low-maintenance.
• Bacon cooks evenly.
• Less fat is retained in the bacon, grease drains into the bottom of the fryer.

Stovetop

• Bacon fries up relatively quickly in a hot pan on the stovetop.
• You can monitor and adjust cooking temperature.
• Make sure to flip bacon strips frequently to ensure even cooking. 
• Wear an apron to protect against grease spattering.

Oven

• Baking bacon requires minimal moment-to-moment supervision.
• An oven’s constant temperature allows for even cooking.
• You can cook a large batch of bacon at one time, without concerns about spatter.
• Oven cooking takes more time than stovetop cooking or air frying.

Microwave

• The fastest cooking method which requires little monitoring.
• Bacon can spatter easily in the microwave so keep covered and vented.
• Microwaved bacon is chewier, not quite as crispy as other methods.

The Most-Asked Questions about Bacon and Air Fryers

Let’s delve a little deeper into the most common questions people have about how to cook bacon in an air fryer.

1. Does bacon cook well in an air fryer?
   Yes. Air frying bacon not only yields delicious results, it is an easy, no-mess affair. The air fryer heats bacon evenly while draining excess fat for that great crispy texture. Plus, unlike stovetop or oven cooking, the air fryer requires no added fat. You can also save the rendered bacon grease for other cooking purposes.
   
2. How long can I put bacon in the air fryer?
   The cooking time for bacon in an air fryer depends on its thickness and desired crispiness. When cooking Godshall’s turkey bacon or beef bacon, we recommend heating slices on a wire or mesh rack for 7 minutes at 350°F. But don’t hesitate to tweak based on your preferences. Experimenting with timing will help you customize your bacon’s texture in the air fryer. For thick-cut bacon, you could try cooking it low and slow at 300° for about 20 minutes. 
   
3. What are some tips to properly cook bacon in the air fryer?

• Cooking fatty foods like bacon in the air fryer at high temperatures can sometimes cause smoking. Carefully adding a tablespoon or two of water to the basket can help prevent smoking, which won’t compromise texture or flavor. 
• A word of caution: Don’t line the air fryer basket with tin foil or parchment paper. It may make for easier cleanup, but it limits the hot air circulation and won’t allow the fat to drain.
• Fry in batches. We recommend cooking four or five strips at a time.

4. What happens to the grease from bacon in an air fryer?
   It drains! Unlike stovetop or oven-cooked bacon, the air fryer allows the bacon grease to drip into the pan, leaving you with crispier, healthier bacon.
   
5. Why does bacon shrink in an air fryer?
   Bacon is a fatty food and cooking it at high temperatures in your air fryer will allow all the fat to drain off, so you’re left with leaner strips, packed with flavor.

Crispy Bacon and Less Grease, Every Time

Air fryers ensure perfectly crispy and evenly cooked bacon without the fat. The straightforward cooking process minimizes mess, for a hassle-free—and hands-free—experience. They’re a convenient, efficient, and healthier alternative to stovetop, oven and microwave methods, and can accommodate different bacon types and thicknesses, from Godshall’s Beef Bacon to Turkey Bacon. Ultimately, air fryers offer a quick and easy way to cook delectably crispy bacon every time.