Air Fryer Diced Bacon

Diced Bacon is a quick and simple way to get crispy bacon bits for your meals. This method works well because the hot air circulates around the small pieces and cooks them evenly. You do not need to stand over a hot frying pan or deal with messy grease splashes on the cooker. It takes very little time to prepare and the result is always consistently crunchy.
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Photo of Air Fryer Diced Bacon cooked in the air fryer

What is good about air fryer diced bacon

Cooking diced bacon is much cleaner than using a traditional pan on the hob. The basket allows the fat to drain away from the meat which makes the pieces extra crispy. It is a great way to prepare toppings for salads, jacket potatoes or creamy pasta dishes. You can easily adjust the cooking time to get the exact level of crunchiness that you prefer.

Follow these 4 steps for air fryer diced bacon

Step 1
Preparation: Preheat your to 180 degrees for a couple of minutes. If you are using very lean bacon, toss the pieces in a small bowl with a tiny bit of oil to prevent sticking. Ensure the pieces are separated so they do not clump together in the basket.
Step 2
Cooking: Place the bacon into the basket in a single layer as much as possible. Set the timer for eight minutes but check them halfway through the cooking process. Shake the basket well at the four minute mark to ensure every side gets crispy.
Step 3
Checking: Look at the bacon after the initial eight minutes to see if it has reached your desired level of crispness. If you want it even crunchier, cook it for another one or two minutes. Keep a close eye on it during these final minutes as small pieces can burn quickly.
Step 4
Draining: Remove the basket from the carefully and use tongs to lift the bacon out. Place the cooked pieces on a plate lined with paper towels to soak up any excess fat. Serve the bacon immediately or let it cool down if you plan to use it in a cold salad.

My best tips for air fryer diced bacon

Try not to overcrowd the basket when you make diced bacon. If you have a large amount of meat, it is better to cook it in two smaller batches. This allows the air to move freely around each piece for the best crunch.

You can add a little black pepper or smoked paprika before cooking for extra flavour. Always check the fat tray at the bottom of the after use and clean it once it has cooled down. If you are using thick cut bacon, you might need to add a few extra minutes to the total cooking time.

If you enjoyed this recipe, you might also try air fryer bean burgers, air fryer bread rolls or air fryer ham.

Ingredients

servings
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  • 250 g smoked or unsmoked diced bacon
  • 1 teaspoon vegetable oil if the bacon is very lean

Cooking time

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Nutrition information

NUTRITIONper serving
  • Energy:753 kJ / 180 kcal
  • Fat:15 g
  • - of which saturates:5 g
  • Carbohydrates:0.5 g
  • - of which sugars:0.1 g
  • Protein:10 g
  • Fibre:0 g
  • Salt:1.2 g

People also ask

Air Fryer Diced Bacon usually takes about 8 minutes to make. The time can vary slightly with the quantity and method. Check the texture towards the end.
Follow the stated timings and temperatures. Stir or turn it only when the method calls for it.
Do not leave it over the heat for too long. Check the texture near the end and adjust the time if needed.
What do you think of this recipe?
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4.7 / 5 - (14 ratings)