Transform your breakfast experience with perfectly crispy and flavorful turkey bacon, prepared effortlessly in your air fryer. This revolutionary cooking method not only slashes your cooking time in half but consistently delivers a deliciously crisp result, making it the ultimate healthy alternative for any meal. Say goodbye to greasy stovetops and unevenly cooked strips, and hello to a leaner, quicker, and more convenient way to enjoy your favorite bacon.

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Air Frying Turkey Bacon: Your Guide to Perfectly Crispy and Healthy Strips

If you’re looking for a quick, healthy, and incredibly delicious way to prepare turkey bacon, look no further than your air fryer. This method promises a crispy texture often elusive with turkey bacon, all while significantly cutting down on cook time and mess. Whether you’re a seasoned air fryer enthusiast or just starting out, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to achieve perfect results every time. Get ready to elevate your breakfast, brunch, or even your sandwich fillings with this simple yet game-changing technique.

Why Choose the Air Fryer for Turkey Bacon?

The air fryer has revolutionized the way we approach cooking, and turkey bacon is no exception. While traditional pan-frying can result in unevenly cooked, sometimes chewy strips and a splattered stovetop, the air fryer offers a superior alternative. Here’s why it stands out as the ultimate method:

• Unmatched Crispiness: Unlike regular pork bacon, turkey bacon often struggles to achieve that coveted crispy texture. The air fryer’s circulating hot air cooks the bacon evenly from all sides, rendering the fat efficiently and resulting in consistently golden-brown, crispy strips that rival their pork counterparts.
• Faster Cooking Time: Speed is a major advantage. Air frying turkey bacon takes roughly half the time compared to oven baking, and it’s considerably faster and less hands-on than pan-frying. You can have a batch of crispy bacon ready in about 10-15 minutes, making it ideal for busy mornings or quick meal prep.
• Healthier Option: Air frying requires minimal to no added oil, and the fat from the turkey bacon drips away into the basket below. This results in a significantly less greasy and lower-calorie product, aligning perfectly with a health-conscious lifestyle without sacrificing flavor or texture.
• Easy Cleanup: One of the biggest nuisances of cooking bacon is the grease splatter. The air fryer contains the mess, making cleanup much simpler. Most air fryer baskets are non-stick and often dishwasher-safe, saving you valuable time and effort in the kitchen.
• Consistent Results: The controlled environment of an air fryer ensures even heat distribution, eliminating cold spots and guaranteeing that each slice of bacon cooks perfectly. No more burnt edges or undercooked middles!

For more air frying inspiration, you might enjoy our popular Air Fryer Bacon and Twisted Bacon recipes.

Selecting the Best Turkey Bacon for Your Air Fryer

Turkey bacon serves as an excellent lower-fat, lower-calorie alternative to traditional pork bacon, offering a similar savory profile without the heavy guilt. However, not all turkey bacon is created equal, and your choice can impact the final texture and flavor. Understanding the differences will help you get the best results in your air fryer.

• Cured vs. Uncured: Most commercial turkey bacon is cured, meaning it’s treated with synthetic nitrates and nitrites to preserve color, enhance flavor, and prevent spoilage. For a healthier option, we highly recommend selecting uncured and nitrate-free turkey bacon. Uncured varieties typically use natural curing agents like celery powder and sea salt. These natural ingredients provide the desired preservation without the synthetic additives, making it a preferable choice for many.
• Thickness Matters: Turkey bacon comes in various thicknesses. Thin-cut strips will cook faster and tend to get crispier more quickly, while thick-cut bacon may require a slightly longer cooking time to reach optimal crispness. Adjust your cooking duration accordingly for perfect results.
• Brand Variation: Different brands use varying blends of dark and white turkey meat, seasonings, and processing methods, which can affect the taste and how well it crisps. Experiment with a few brands to find your personal favorite that crisps up beautifully in the air fryer.

The air fryer is particularly adept at crisping turkey bacon, a task that can be challenging with other cooking methods. Its intense, circulating heat works wonders on leaner meats, ensuring a satisfying crunch that makes turkey bacon truly enjoyable. For additional healthy tips on eating turkey bacon, explore resources like Health.com’s guide.

How to Achieve Perfectly Crispy Air Fryer Turkey Bacon

Making crispy turkey bacon in your air fryer is incredibly straightforward and yields consistently delicious results. Follow these simple steps for a perfect batch every time. Detailed measurements and full instructions can also be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

1. Prepare Your Air Fryer: For optimal results, preheat your air fryer to 370°F (185°C) for about 3-5 minutes. While not always strictly necessary, preheating ensures more even cooking and helps the bacon crisp up faster from the moment it enters the basket.
2. Arrange Bacon in the Basket: Lay the turkey bacon strips in a single layer in your air fryer basket. It’s crucial to avoid overlapping or overcrowding the basket, as this will trap steam and prevent the bacon from getting crispy. If you have a large quantity of bacon, cook it in multiple batches.
3. Initial Air Fry: Place the basket back into the air fryer. Cook for approximately 4-5 minutes. At this point, the bacon will start to firm up and show some signs of browning.
4. Flip and Continue Cooking: Carefully remove the basket and use tongs to flip each strip of turkey bacon. This ensures even exposure to the circulating hot air, promoting uniform crispiness on both sides. Return the basket to the air fryer and continue cooking for another 3-5 minutes, or until the bacon reaches your desired level of crispness.
5. Monitor and Adjust: Keep a close eye on the bacon during the final minutes of cooking. Air fryers can vary in power, and turkey bacon can quickly go from perfectly crispy to overcooked. Adjust the total cooking time as needed based on your air fryer model and how crispy you prefer your bacon (some like it chewier, others extra brittle).
6. Cool Before Serving: Once the turkey bacon is cooked to perfection, carefully remove it from the air fryer basket and place it on a paper towel-lined plate. This allows any residual fat to drain off and helps the bacon crisp up even further as it cools. Serve immediately and savor the delightful crunch!

Taming the Curl: Using a Trivet or Weight for Flat Bacon

One common challenge when cooking bacon, especially leaner turkey bacon, is its tendency to curl up during the cooking process. This curling can lead to uneven cooking, with some parts becoming overly crisp while others remain soft or undercooked. Fortunately, there’s a simple trick to ensure your turkey bacon stays perfectly flat and cooks uniformly: using a heat-safe trivet or another air fryer-safe weight.

When the turkey bacon cooks, the meat proteins contract and the minimal fat renders, which can cause the strips to buckle and curl. By placing a heat-safe object on top of the bacon, you can gently hold it down, allowing the entire surface area of each strip to make even contact with the circulating hot air. This results in beautifully flat, evenly cooked, and consistently crispy bacon that’s ideal for sandwiches or as a uniform side dish.

I personally find a small, oven-safe trivet from Amazon works perfectly for this purpose. Look for a trivet that is sturdy and made from metal or silicone, designed to withstand high temperatures. You can also use a small, metal cooling rack that fits inside your air fryer basket, or even another lighter air fryer basket if you have one that nests well on top of the bacon. Just ensure whatever you use is heat-safe and won’t scratch the non-stick coating of your air fryer basket. Place it directly over the bacon strips after arranging them in a single layer, then proceed with air frying as usual. This simple technique makes a significant difference in achieving those restaurant-quality flat bacon strips.

Optimal Temperature for Air Fryer Turkey Bacon

Achieving the perfect balance of crispy texture and succulent flavor hinges on setting the right temperature for your air fryer. For turkey bacon, I consistently recommend a temperature of 370°F (185°C). This temperature range is ideal for several reasons, ensuring your bacon cooks perfectly every time:

• Even Cooking: 370°F is hot enough to promote rapid browning and crisping without being so high that the bacon burns on the outside before it’s thoroughly cooked through. It allows the heat to penetrate the leaner turkey meat effectively, ensuring no raw spots.
• Fat Rendering: While turkey bacon is significantly leaner than pork bacon, it still contains some fat that needs to render out to achieve that desirable crispy texture. This temperature efficiently renders the fat, allowing it to drip away into the basket below and leaving behind a less greasy, more satisfying product.
• Preventing Dryness: A temperature that’s too high can quickly dry out turkey bacon, making it brittle and less flavorful instead of nicely crispy. 370°F strikes the perfect balance, providing enough heat for crisping while helping to maintain the natural moisture within the meat.

Keep in mind that air fryers can vary slightly in their actual operating temperatures and heat distribution. If you notice your bacon cooking too fast or too slow at 370°F, feel free to adjust by 10-15 degrees up or down for your specific model. Learning your air fryer’s nuances will lead to even better results.

Ideal Cook Time for Desired Crispiness

The cooking time for air fryer turkey bacon can vary based on several factors, including the thickness of your bacon, your specific air fryer model, and, most importantly, your personal preference for crispiness. While I typically cook turkey bacon for around 10 minutes to achieve a delightfully crispy result, here’s a more detailed breakdown to guide you:

• Standard Thickness: For most standard-cut turkey bacon, a range of 7-10 minutes at 370°F (185°C) is a good starting point. This will typically yield bacon that is nicely browned and crispy without being overly dry.
• Thin-Cut Bacon: If you’re using thinner slices, they will cook faster. Start checking at 6-7 minutes to prevent burning, as thin bacon can crisp up very quickly.
• Thick-Cut Bacon: Thicker slices of turkey bacon may require a longer cooking time, potentially up to 12-15 minutes, to ensure they are thoroughly cooked, the fat is rendered, and they achieve your desired level of crispness.
• Desired Crispiness:
  • For slightly chewy bacon with crispy edges, aim for the lower end of the time range (around 7-8 minutes). The bacon will be cooked through but still have some give.
  • For perfectly crisp, almost shatteringly good bacon, cook for the full 10 minutes or slightly longer (up to 12 minutes).
• Check Halfway: Always flip the bacon halfway through cooking (around the 4-5 minute mark). This promotes even browning and crisping on both sides and helps prevent sticking.
• Visual Cues are Key: Regardless of the time, always rely on visual cues. The bacon should be golden brown and look crispy. Remember, it will crisp up a little more as it cools on the plate.

It’s always better to undercook slightly and add an extra minute or two than to overcook and end up with burnt or brittle bacon. Get to know your air fryer and experiment a little to find your sweet spot for the ultimate crispy turkey bacon!

Storing and Reheating Leftover Turkey Bacon

One of the great benefits of cooking a batch of air fryer turkey bacon is having leftovers for quick meals throughout the week. Proper storage and reheating are key to maintaining its delicious flavor and crispy texture.

• Storage: Once your turkey bacon has fully cooled to room temperature, transfer it to an airtight container or a resealable bag. Place a paper towel between layers of bacon to absorb any excess moisture and prevent sogginess. Store it in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. Ensuring it’s tightly sealed will prevent it from drying out or absorbing other odors from your fridge.
• Freezing (Optional): For longer storage, you can freeze cooked turkey bacon. Lay the cooled strips on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze until solid (this prevents them from sticking together). Then, transfer the frozen strips to a freezer-safe bag or container. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating for best results.
• Reheating in the Air Fryer: The air fryer is undoubtedly the best tool for reheating cooked turkey bacon, bringing it back to nearly fresh-cooked crispiness. Place the cold turkey bacon in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes, or until warmed through and re-crisped to your liking. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning.
• Reheating in the Microwave: While not ideal for crispiness, you can microwave turkey bacon for a super quick reheat. Place strips on a paper towel-lined plate and microwave for 15-30 seconds, or until warm. It won’t be as crispy as air-fried, but it will be perfectly edible for salads or sandwiches.

Having pre-cooked turkey bacon on hand makes quick breakfasts, salads, wraps, and sandwiches even easier and more flavorful!

Delicious Breakfast Pairings

Crispy air fryer turkey bacon is incredibly versatile and makes a fantastic addition to a variety of breakfast and brunch dishes. Its lean profile and satisfying crunch complement both sweet and savory flavors beautifully. Here are some delightful recipes to pair with your perfectly cooked turkey bacon:

• Fried Potatoes and Onions: A classic savory side that complements bacon beautifully, creating a hearty breakfast plate.
• Sweet Potato Oatmeal: For a unique and surprisingly delicious sweet and savory contrast. The saltiness of the bacon pairs wonderfully with the subtle sweetness of the oatmeal.
• Air Fryer Hash Browns: Double up on air fryer convenience with these crispy hash browns, making for a truly efficient breakfast preparation.
• Breakfast Crunchwrap: Add chopped air fryer turkey bacon for an extra layer of flavor and protein, transforming a simple wrap into a satisfying meal.

More Bacon-Inspired Recipes to Explore

If you love the irresistible flavor of bacon, whether it’s turkey or traditional pork, we have plenty more recipes that feature this delicious ingredient in creative and comforting ways. From hearty main dishes to savory sides and salads, these recipes will surely satisfy your cravings and expand your culinary repertoire:

• Traeger Smoked Bacon: For a deep, rich, and smoky flavor profile that takes bacon to the next level.
• Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Asparagus: A simple yet elegant side dish or appetizer that’s quick to make and impressive to serve.
• Southern Green Beans with Bacon: A comforting classic side dish where the savory bacon infuses the green beans with incredible flavor.
• Broccoli Salad with Bacon: A fresh and flavorful salad featuring a delightful crunch and the savory punch of bacon bits.

Air Fryer Turkey Bacon

Brandi Crawford

This air fryer turkey bacon recipe guarantees crispy, flavorful results in half the time, making it a perfect healthy and delicious alternative for any meal of the day.

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Prep & Cook Times

• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 10 mins
• Total Time: 15 mins

Course & Cuisine

• Course: Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
• Cuisine: American

Servings & Calories

• Servings: 8 slices
• Calories: 35 kcal per slice

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Equipment for This Recipe

• Cosori Air Fryer

Ingredients for Air Fryer Turkey Bacon

• 8 slices turkey bacon

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Place the turkey bacon in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Avoid stacking; cook in batches if necessary to ensure even crisping.
2. Air fry for 7-10 minutes at 370°F (185°C). For best results and even cooking, flip the turkey bacon halfway through the cooking process.
3. Once cooked to your desired crispiness, remove the bacon from the air fryer and allow it to cool slightly on a paper towel-lined plate before serving. It will crisp up further as it cools.

Nutritional Information

• Serving: 1 slice
• Calories: 35 kcal
• Protein: 2 g
• Fat: 3 g

Important Nutrition Data Disclaimer

Macros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.

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