Origin Story: From TikTok Trend to Kitchen Staple

The culinary world is constantly evolving, and social media platforms like TikTok have become unexpected hotbeds for viral food trends. Twisted Bacon is a prime example of this phenomenon, quickly capturing the attention of home cooks worldwide. This ingenious recipe and technique were first popularized by Abby from @houseofketo on TikTok, who shared her simple yet revolutionary method for preparing bacon with a unique spiral shape. Its popularity soared due to its visual appeal, satisfying crunch, and the surprisingly easy preparation. While the original method quickly gained traction, cooks soon adapted it for various appliances. My personal preference for making this delightful treat is in the air fryer, which yields incredibly crispy results with minimal fuss. However, for those who prefer traditional methods, I’ve also included comprehensive instructions for baking it in a conventional oven, ensuring everyone can enjoy this fantastic bacon creation.

Why Twisted Bacon is a Game Changer

You might wonder, why bother twisting bacon? The answer lies in the incredible texture and flavor enhancement this simple technique provides. Twisting the bacon creates more surface area, allowing for a more even crisping process. Unlike flat bacon strips that can have varying degrees of crispness, twisted bacon tends to cook uniformly, resulting in a consistent crunch in every bite. The twists also trap some of the rendered fat, ensuring that each piece remains incredibly juicy and flavorful internally, while the exterior achieves that perfect, satisfying snap. Furthermore, the spiral shape is fantastic for holding seasonings, whether you’re opting for a sweet, savory, or spicy kick. It’s also less messy to eat as a snack, making it a perfect finger food. For breakfast, meal prep, or simply as an addictive snack, twisted bacon offers a gourmet touch to an everyday favorite, elevating it from a side dish to a star attraction.

Selecting the Perfect Bacon for Twisting

While virtually any type of bacon can be used for this recipe, choosing the right kind can significantly impact your final result. Each variety offers a slightly different experience in terms of texture and ease of twisting. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide:

• Regular Cut Bacon: This is the most common choice and works wonderfully. It’s pliable enough to twist easily and achieves a great balance of crispiness and chewiness.
• Thick Cut Bacon: For those who love a meatier, more substantial bite, thick-cut bacon is an excellent option. When cooked, it offers a fantastic chewiness on the inside with a super crispy exterior. However, it can be a little more challenging to twist tightly due to its thickness. If you opt for thick-cut, aim for looser twists to ensure it cooks through evenly without becoming overly dry.
• Thin Cut Bacon: While it crisps up incredibly fast, thin-cut bacon can be prone to burning if not watched carefully. It’s also a bit more delicate to twist without tearing.
• Turkey Bacon: If you’re looking for a leaner alternative, turkey bacon can certainly be used. Keep in mind that turkey bacon has a different fat content and texture, so adjust cooking times accordingly. It tends to be less fatty and can dry out more quickly.
• Flavored Bacon (Maple, Peppered, etc.): Don’t hesitate to experiment with pre-flavored bacon for an extra layer of taste. Maple-cured bacon, for instance, naturally adds a sweet, caramelized note when twisted and cooked.

No matter your choice, ensure the bacon strips are cold when you start twisting. This makes them firmer and easier to handle, preventing tearing. For a classic flavor and optimal twisting experience, a good quality regular or slightly thick-cut pork bacon is generally recommended.

Step-by-Step: How to Twist Bacon to Perfection

The twisting technique is what makes this recipe so unique and visually appealing. It’s a straightforward process, but paying attention to how tightly you twist will directly impact the final texture of your bacon – whether you desire a super crispy crunch or a more tender, chewy bite. Here’s how to do it:

1. Prepare Your Workspace: Lay out a clean cutting board or a piece of parchment paper. Ensure your bacon is cold, as cold bacon is firmer and less prone to tearing during the twisting process.
2. Grab a Slice: Take one strip of bacon at a time. Hold it horizontally by both ends with your hands.
3. Start Twisting: Begin to twist your hands in opposite directions, much like wringing out a towel or twisting a piece of licorice. As you twist, the bacon strip will naturally begin to coil into a spiral.
4. Control the Tightness:
   • For Crispy Bacon: Twist the bacon very tightly. The more compact the twist, the more surface area will be exposed to direct heat, leading to a uniformly crisp texture from end to end.
   • For Chewy Bacon: Twist the bacon more loosely. A looser twist will allow some areas to remain softer and chewier while still crisping up nicely on the edges. This creates a delightful contrast in texture.
5. Maintain Length: As you twist, the bacon will naturally shorten. Try to keep the twists as even as possible along the entire length of the strip.
6. Repeat: Continue this process for each slice of bacon until all your strips are beautifully twisted and ready for seasoning and cooking.

Don’t worry if your first few twists aren’t perfect; practice makes perfect! The beauty of this recipe is that even imperfect twists still yield delicious results.

Elevate Your Bacon: Flavorful Seasoning Options

Bacon, in its natural state, is already bursting with savory, smoky flavor. However, the twisted format provides an excellent opportunity to infuse it with additional tastes, transforming it into an even more exciting culinary experience. Don’t be shy about experimenting with various seasonings to create sweet, spicy, or uniquely savory bacon twists. Here are some fantastic options to consider:

• Everything But The Bagel Seasoning: This is a popular choice for a reason! Its blend of sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried garlic, dried onion, and sea salt adds a delightful texture and a robust savory punch that complements bacon beautifully.
• Brown Sugar: For a sweet and savory treat, sprinkle brown sugar generously over your twisted bacon. As it bakes or air fries, the sugar will caramelize, creating a delectable candied bacon that’s incredibly addictive. A hint of cayenne pepper can be added for a spicy-sweet kick.
• Black Pepper: A classic pairing with bacon. Freshly ground black pepper adds a subtle spice and aromatic depth that enhances bacon’s natural saltiness.
• Maple Syrup: Drizzle pure maple syrup over the bacon before cooking for a truly indulgent breakfast staple. The maple flavor infuses the bacon, creating a sweet, smoky, and slightly sticky delight.
• Honey: Similar to maple syrup, a light brush of honey will provide a wonderful sweetness and help create a beautiful glaze.
• Homemade BBQ Seasoning and Rub: For a smoky, tangy, and slightly spicy twist, a good quality BBQ rub can do wonders. Its complex blend of spices will make your bacon twists stand out.
• Homemade Ranch Seasoning: If you love the creamy, herbaceous flavors of ranch, this seasoning can add an unexpected but delicious zest to your bacon.
• Chili Powder or Paprika: For a touch of warmth and color, a dusting of chili powder or smoked paprika can add a lovely dimension.

Apply your chosen seasoning evenly over the twisted bacon strips before they go into the oven or air fryer. The twists help capture and hold the seasoning, ensuring every bite is bursting with flavor.

How to Cook Twisted Bacon: Oven vs. Air Fryer

The beauty of twisted bacon lies not only in its unique shape and flavor but also in its versatility when it comes to cooking methods. Both the air fryer and a conventional oven can deliver fantastic results, allowing you to choose the option that best suits your kitchen setup and time constraints. While an air fryer typically offers a quicker path to crispiness, the oven is excellent for cooking larger batches. Regardless of your chosen method, the goal remains the same: perfectly crisp, flavorful bacon twists.

Once you’ve expertly twisted each bacon strip and applied your desired seasonings, you’re ready to cook. The key to success is ensuring even heat distribution and allowing sufficient time for the bacon to render its fat and crisp up beautifully.

Oven Baked Twisted Bacon: Achieving Consistent Crispy Perfection

Baking twisted bacon in the oven is a hands-off method that yields beautifully crispy results, especially great for larger quantities. The consistent heat of the oven allows the bacon to cook evenly and thoroughly.

1. Preheat Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). This high temperature ensures the bacon cooks quickly and crisps up rather than slowly rendering fat.
2. Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. This is a crucial step for easy cleanup, as bacon grease can be notoriously difficult to remove from pans. The parchment paper also helps to absorb some of the rendered fat, preventing the bacon from sitting in grease.
3. Arrange Bacon: Place the twisted bacon strips on the prepared baking sheet. Ensure they are arranged in a single layer with a little space between each piece. Overlapping bacon will steam rather than crisp, leading to unevenly cooked results.
4. Bake to Perfection: Bake for approximately 35-45 minutes. The exact timing will depend on the thickness of your bacon and your desired level of crispness. For bacon that is super crispy and snaps when broken, bake closer to the 45-minute mark. If you prefer a slightly chewier texture with crispy edges, reduce the baking time to around 30-35 minutes. Always keep a close eye on the bacon during the last 10-15 minutes, as it can go from perfectly cooked to burnt very quickly. If you desire even crisping, you may flip the bacon halfway through.
5. Drain and Serve: Once the bacon reaches your desired crispness, carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven. Using tongs, transfer the cooked twisted bacon to a plate lined with several layers of paper towels. This allows any excess grease to drain away, ensuring maximum crispiness.

Air Fryer Twisted Bacon: Quick and Effortless Crispy Bacon

The air fryer is a fantastic tool for making twisted bacon, offering speed, incredible crispiness, and relatively easy cleanup. It’s perfect for smaller batches and when you want that crispy bacon faster.

1. Prepare Air Fryer Basket: Line your air fryer basket with air fryer parchment paper. This is absolutely essential for managing the significant amount of grease that bacon releases and for making cleanup a breeze. **Important Safety Note:** Always use parchment paper specifically designed for air fryers. Regular parchment paper can obstruct airflow, leading to uneven cooking and potentially posing a fire hazard. Ensure the parchment paper doesn’t extend too far up the sides of the basket to allow proper air circulation.
2. Load Bacon: Place the twisted bacon strips in a single layer within the prepared air fryer basket. It’s crucial not to overcrowd the basket. If you have too many strips, the hot air won’t circulate effectively, and your bacon won’t crisp up properly. Cook in batches if necessary.
3. Air Fry: Air fry the bacon at 370°F (185°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until it reaches your preferred level of crispiness. My personal sweet spot for perfectly crisp air-fried twisted bacon is usually around 12 minutes. Cooking times can vary slightly depending on your air fryer model and the thickness of your bacon.
4. Maintain Shape (Optional): Bacon can sometimes curl and shrink unexpectedly while air frying. To help preserve its delightful twisted shape and ensure it cooks evenly, you can gently cover the bacon with a small, heat-safe trivet or a metal rack placed directly on top of the bacon during the air frying process. This prevents lighter strips from flying around.
5. Drain and Serve: Once the twisted bacon is beautifully golden brown and crisp, carefully remove it from the air fryer. Transfer the cooked bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any residual grease. This final step is key to ensuring your bacon remains wonderfully crisp and not greasy.

Storage, Reheating, and Freezing Tips for Twisted Bacon

One of the fantastic benefits of making twisted bacon is its suitability for meal prep. Whether you’ve made a large batch for the week ahead or simply have leftovers, knowing how to properly store and reheat it will ensure you can enjoy its deliciousness whenever a craving strikes.

How to Store Cooked Twisted Bacon

After your twisted bacon has cooled completely to room temperature, it’s ready for storage. To maintain its freshness and flavor, place the cooked bacon in an airtight container or a heavy-duty resealable bag. Store it in the refrigerator, where it will remain delicious for 3-4 days. For best results, you can place a paper towel at the bottom of the container to absorb any residual moisture, which helps keep the bacon crispier for longer.

Reheating Twisted Bacon for Best Results

Reheating bacon can sometimes be tricky, often leading to soggy or overly dry results. However, with twisted bacon, the air fryer or oven are your best friends for bringing it back to life with a satisfying crispness:

• Air Fryer: This is my preferred method for reheating. Place the twisted bacon in a single layer in your air fryer basket (no need for parchment paper this time, unless you prefer it). Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes, or until it’s heated through and crisp again. Keep an eye on it to prevent burning.
• Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the bacon on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper. Reheat for 5-7 minutes, or until warm and re-crisped.
• Microwave: While possible, the microwave is generally not recommended as it can make bacon rubbery and chewy, losing the desired crisp texture.

Freezer-Friendly: Make Ahead for Meal Prep

Twisted bacon is an excellent candidate for freezing, making it perfect for advanced meal preparation. Having a stash of pre-cooked twisted bacon means a quick and easy protein addition to any meal or a convenient snack on demand.

1. Cool Completely: Ensure the cooked twisted bacon is entirely cooled before freezing.
2. Flash Freeze (Optional but Recommended): For best results and to prevent the pieces from sticking together, arrange the cooled bacon in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for about 30 minutes to an hour, until firm.
3. Package for Freezing: Transfer the flash-frozen bacon into a freezer-safe airtight container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible if using bags to prevent freezer burn.
4. Storage Duration: Frozen twisted bacon can be stored tightly covered and sealed for 4-6 months.
5. Defrosting: To use, defrost the bacon overnight in the refrigerator. Once thawed, you can reheat it using the air fryer or oven instructions mentioned above for optimal crispness.

Delicious Pairings and Serving Ideas

Twisted bacon isn’t just a standalone snack; its versatility makes it a fantastic accompaniment to a wide array of dishes. Its unique texture and concentrated flavor can elevate both savory and sweet meals. Here are some ideas for how to incorporate your perfectly cooked twisted bacon:

• Classic Breakfast Companion: Serve alongside scrambled eggs, pancakes, waffles, or French toast. It’s a perfect upgrade to your traditional breakfast plate.
• Breakfast Sandwich Upgrade: Add it to a breakfast sandwich or a Breakfast Crunchwrap for an extra layer of flavor and texture.
• Brunch Star: Pair it with elegant brunch items like a Crab Quiche or alongside Air Fryer French Toast Sticks.
• Hearty Side Dish: Serve with Air Fryer Loaded Hash Browns for a satisfying and flavorful meal.
• Salad Topper: Crumble crispy twisted bacon over salads, like the Hot Girl Summer Salad, for a burst of savory goodness and crunch.
• Appetizer Skewers: Thread twisted bacon onto skewers with cherry tomatoes and mozzarella balls for a delightful party appetizer.
• Sweet & Savory Dessert: For adventurous palates, dip candied twisted bacon in melted chocolate for a surprisingly delicious sweet and savory dessert.
• Burger or Sandwich Enhancer: Add it to your favorite burger or deli sandwich for an irresistible crunch.
• Garnish for Soups or Stews: Crumble some on top of creamy soups or hearty stews just before serving.

Beyond the Twist: More Bacon-Inspired Recipes to Explore

If you’re a true bacon enthusiast, the culinary possibilities extend far beyond just twisting! Bacon’s rich, savory, and smoky profile makes it an incredibly versatile ingredient that can elevate countless dishes, from hearty breakfasts to comforting dinners and even delectable appetizers. If you’ve enjoyed mastering the art of twisted bacon, you’re sure to love exploring these other fantastic bacon-centric recipes:

• Traeger Smoked Bacon: For an intensely smoky flavor, smoking your bacon on a Traeger grill takes it to a whole new level, perfect for those special occasions or when you simply crave extra depth.
• Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Cheese: A classic potluck favorite, this salad combines crisp broccoli, sharp cheddar, and crunchy bacon bits in a creamy dressing for a delightful side dish.
• Keto Bacon Egg Breakfast Casserole: Ideal for meal prep and low-carb diets, this casserole is packed with protein, eggs, spinach, and plenty of savory bacon, making busy mornings a breeze.
• Bacon Spinach Artichoke Dip: A warm, cheesy, and incredibly satisfying dip, enhanced with the irresistible crunch and flavor of bacon, perfect for entertaining.
• Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad: This crowd-pleasing pasta salad features al dente pasta, crisp bacon, and a creamy ranch dressing, making it a fantastic side for barbecues and picnics.

Each of these recipes showcases bacon in a different light, proving that this beloved ingredient is truly a culinary powerhouse. Don’t limit your bacon adventures – explore, experiment, and enjoy!