This simple technique for Frozen Bacon in the Air Fryer is the ideal way to cook bacon. Say goodbye to thawing and greasy stovetop pans!
We’ve probably all had the experience of opening the fridge, looking around for something to cook, and only then noticing the package wedged in the back corner. Maybe it’s a bag of salad greens, or a cut of meat, or an old dish of leftovers you promised yourself you’d eat for lunch the next day. Whatever it may be, you’ve found it too late.
With some foods, all you can do is promise yourself you’ll be more vigilant next time round. But when it comes to bacon, there’s still hope.
That’s because this recipe is not only the best way to ensure you don’t accidentally let bacon spoil in your fridge—it’s also the single greatest way to prepare bacon. That’s a bold statement, I know. But trust me when I say cooking frozen bacon in the air fryer yields the crispiest, most flavorful bacon I’ve tried in my life.
Why cook it frozen?
Well, why not? Don’t get me wrong—if you have a fresh package of bacon in your fridge, there’s no reason for you to toss it in the freezer and wait until it’s frozen before cooking it in the air fryer; fresh bacon cooks just fine in the air fryer. But the genius of the air fryer is its ability to circulate hot air at such a pace and with such flow that even frozen meats cook quickly and thoroughly.
So consider this technique a way to salvage bacon that otherwise would have gone bad had you not tossed it in the freezer. Unlike other meats, bacon’s relative thinness also means you don’t even need to wait for the individual pieces to break apart. Just put the whole thing in the air fryer, wait a few minutes, then separate them with a fork before placing them back in for a crispy finish.
How do I store this bacon?
Bacon is incredibly easy to store for later use, and cooked bacon is especially good to have on hand. To store, I recommend using a plastic sandwich bag or my favorite, a reusable silicone one. Or you can wrap it in foil, throw it in an airtight container, or even just wrap it in a paper towel and place it in the fridge if you’re in a pinch. You can also freeze cooked bacon for up to three months in an airtight container. You may want to flash-freeze the strips first though, so they don’t freeze together in a clump.
Serving Suggestions
Can you eat bacon on its own? Of course you can. But having pre-cooked bacon on hand is also great for sandwiches, salads, or wraps.
Now, if you want to hear my somewhat controversial opinion, I actually think crumbled bacon is a great addition to breakfast cereal. The salty savoriness of the bacon pairs perfectly with the sweet creaminess of the milk. Hey, don’t knock it till you’ve tried it.
Frozen Bacon in the Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 6 slices of frozen bacon
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 390°F for 5 minutes.
- Place the frozen bacon in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Cook for 4 minutes to thaw.
- Separate any slices that are stuck together, then continue to cook for another 4 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the bacon is fully cooked and crispy.
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