Quick Answer
You can use aluminum foil in an air fryer when cooking bacon. The foil helps collect grease drippings and makes cleanup easier. However, there are some precautions to take when using foil in an air fryer:
– Use foil that is recommended for high heat like heavy duty or grill foil. Regular foil can melt from the hot air.
– Don’t let the foil touch the heating elements. It should lay flat on the cooking basket.
– Make slits or holes in the foil to allow air flow. This helps ensure even cooking.
– Be careful when removing the hot foil after cooking. Use oven mitts to avoid burns.
So in summary, foil can be used in an air fryer for cooking bacon but must be the right type of foil and positioned properly to prevent issues. Following some basic guidelines allows you to benefit from the easier cleanup of foil without problems.
Why Use Foil in an Air Fryer for Bacon
There are a couple reasons why using aluminum foil can be beneficial when cooking bacon in an air fryer:
Minimizes Grease Drippings
One of the biggest advantages is that the foil collects grease as the bacon cooks and drips. This helps keep your air fryer clean instead of getting grease all over the cooking basket. The foil contains the mess.
Simpler Cleanup
In addition to minimizing drips and splatters, the foil also makes cleanup much easier after cooking. You can simply remove and discard the foil rather than needing to wash and scrub the cooking basket to remove stuck-on grease and food debris. The foil protects the air fryer from getting dirty.
Potentially Cooks More Evenly
Some people also find that laying bacon strips out on foil may help them cook more evenly in the air fryer. The foil helps distribute the hot air under the bacon.
So foil certainly provides some advantages when air frying bacon. But there are a few precautions to keep in mind.
Precautions When Using Foil in an Air Fryer
While using aluminum foil in an air fryer can be beneficial for catching drips and simplifying cleanup, there are some important guidelines to follow:
Use High-Heat Foil
It’s important to use a heavy duty foil that is recommended for high heat. Regular foil will quickly melt and break down under the 400+ degree cooking temperatures inside an air fryer. An air fryer gets much hotter than a regular oven. So you need a foil rated for these temperatures. Look for heavy duty or grill foil.
Don’t Let Foil Touch Heating Elements
You also want to make sure the foil lies flat on top of the cooking basket. It should not come up the sides close to the heating element at the top of the air fryer. The intense heat can cause foil that is too close to the element to melt very quickly.
Allow Airflow Under the Foil
While the foil catches drips on top, you want to allow air to flow under the foil. So avoid wrapping the food too tightly in foil. And consider poking a few small slits or holes in the foil to let air circulate below. This helps ensure even cooking.
Use Oven Mitts to Remove
Remember that the foil will get very hot from the hot air and drippings. So always use an oven mitt or gloves when removing it after cooking. Don’t touch the foil with bare hands or you could get burned.
As long as you follow these guidelines, using foil is an easy way to make air frying bacon a little less messy.
Step-by-Step Guide to Air Frying Bacon with Foil
Here is a simple step-by-step guide to cooking bacon in an air fryer using foil:
1. Pre-heat Air Fryer
– Pre-heat your air fryer to 400°F. This high heat helps crisp the bacon nicely.
2. Line Basket with Foil
– Cut a sheet of heavy duty aluminum foil a few inches larger than your air fryer basket.
– Press the foil into the bottom of the cooking basket, folding up the excess sides.
3. Arrange Bacon on Foil
– Lay bacon strips out on the foil, making sure not to overlap them too much. This allows air flow.
– For thicker bacon slices, you may want to poke holes in the foil first to allow more air circulation below for even cooking.
4. Air Fry Bacon
– Air fry bacon at 400°F for about 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through. Thicker cuts may take a few minutes longer.
– The bacon should turn nice and crispy, with the foil below catching all the drips.
5. Remove and Discard Foil
– When finished cooking, use tongs and oven mitts to remove the foil with bacon from the hot air fryer.
– Discard the foil. The bacon strips can be transferred to a paper towel lined plate to absorb any excess grease.
And that’s it! You now have deliciously crispy air fried bacon cooked over foil for easy cleanup. The foil makes the cooking process simpler.
Tips for the Best Air Fried Bacon
Here are a few additional tips to get the best results when cooking bacon in an air fryer:
Use Thicker Slices for Crispness
Thicker sliced bacon generally gets crisper than thinner bacon when air fried. Aim for bacon sliced about 1/8 inch thick or so.
Cut Bacon Strips to Fit Basket
For even cooking, cut strips to lay flat in a single layer across your air fryer basket. Cut them in half if needed.
Flip Bacon Halfway
Be sure to flip the bacon strips about halfway during cooking. This ensures both sides get evenly crispy.
Brush with a Little Oil
For extra crispiness, you can optionally brush the bacon very lightly with a little bit of oil before cooking.
Check for Doneness
Peek at the bacon near the end of cook time to check if it is as crispy as you like. You can cook a minute or two longer if needed.
Drain on Paper Towels
Drain cooked bacon on paper towels which will soak up any excess grease. Let it sit a minute before serving.
Common Air Fryer Bacon Questions
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about cooking bacon in an air fryer:
What temperature do you cook bacon in an air fryer?
– The best air fryer temperature for bacon is 400°F. This high heat helps render fat and crisps the bacon up nicely.
How long does it take to cook bacon in an air fryer?
– At 400°F, air fryer bacon takes about 8-12 minutes depending on thickness. Start checking at 8 minutes. Thicker slices may need a couple minutes longer.
Do you flip bacon when air frying?
– Yes, it’s important to flip bacon strips about halfway through air frying for even cooking and crisping on both sides.
Can you put raw bacon in an air fryer?
– Absolutely. An air fryer works great for cooking raw bacon from start to finish. The circulating hot air crisps up the bacon wonderfully.
Is air fried bacon healthy?
– Bacon fried in an air fryer can be a bit healthier than pan frying. The circulating hot air helps cook off more fat vs a pan. But bacon is still a fatty food high in sodium, even when air fried.
The Bottom Line
Using aluminum foil in an air fryer provides benefits like easier cleanup when cooking bacon. But stick to heavy duty foil rated for high heat. And allow air circulation by poking holes or avoiding tight wrapping. Follow the basic guidelines for safely using foil in an air fryer and you’ll find it can simplify the process for making tasty crispy bacon.
