Frying bacon in a deep fryer is a quick and easy way to cook large batches of crispy, delicious bacon. Unlike pan frying, using a deep fryer allows you to cook bacon more uniformly and in larger quantities. The oil is able to maintain a consistent temperature, ensuring the bacon cooks evenly. Deep frying also helps the bacon to become perfectly crispy.
So how long does it actually take to fry bacon in a deep fryer? The frying time can vary based on a few key factors:
Thickness of the Bacon
The thickness of the bacon slices will impact the overall cooking time. Thinner slices will fry faster than thicker sliced bacon. Thin sliced bacon can be fried in just 2-3 minutes, while thick cut bacon may need 4-5 minutes to reach the desired crispness.
When frying bacon, it’s best to choose uniform slices so they all cook in the same amount of time. Mixing thin and thick slices makes it harder to gauge doneness.
Amount of Bacon
The total amount of bacon you are cooking will also affect frying times. Smaller batches will fry faster than larger ones. This is because overcrowding the fryer causes the temperature to drop significantly when the cold food is added.
For quick cooking, fry bacon in smaller batches of around 8 slices. Larger batches of a pound or more will increase cook times. Breaking up the cooking into multiple rounds results in faster overall cook times.
Fryer Temperature
The set temperature of the oil largely determines how quickly the bacon fries up. The optimal oil temperature for frying bacon is 350-375°F. At these hot temps, the bacon will sizzle and brown while fully cooking in just 2-5 minutes.
Cooler oil around 300°F will increase cook times, while hotter oil above 400°F can quickly overcook and burn the bacon before the interior is finished. Use an oil thermometer to monitor temperature and adjust the heat to maintain the oil in the ideal 350-375°F frying range.
Type of Fryer
The performance of the deep fryer itself will also impact cooking times. More powerful fryers with higher wattages and BTUs will be able to recover heat faster than less powerful models. This allows the oil to quickly return to the proper temperature after adding bacon, resulting in faster overall cook times.
High performance fryers may shave off up to a minute of frying time compared to less powerful options. Look for fryers with at least 1,000 watts or 8,000 BTUs for the fastest heating.
Doneness Preference
Lastly, your desired doneness will determine how long to fry the bacon. For soft, pliable bacon aim for 2-3 minutes. For crispy bacon with crunchy texture, fry for 4-5 minutes. Burnt or overdone bacon can happen shortly after, so watch closely towards the end of cooking.
Use tongs to test doneness by fishing out a piece of bacon. The color should be a deep golden brown when it’s fully cooked. Remove bacon when it’s slightly underdone as it will continue to crisp up as it drains and cools.
Frying Guidelines by Thickness
Here are general frying time guidelines based on the thickness of sliced bacon:
Bacon Thickness | Frying Time |
---|---|
Thin Sliced – 1/16 inches | 2-3 minutes |
Regular Sliced – 1/8 inches | 3-4 minutes |
Thick Sliced – 1/4 inches | 4-5 minutes |
As you can see, thin bacon slices require less time compared to thicker cuts. Regular sliced bacon is the most common and will fry up nicely within 3-4 minutes.
Keep in mind these times are based on frying at the ideal oil temperature of 350-375°F in small batches. Adjust times up or down based on your specific fryer and batch size.
Tips for Frying Bacon in a Deep Fryer
Follow these tips for crispy, evenly cooked bacon when frying in a deep fryer:
– Choose leaner bacon over thick slabs with lots of fat, which can cause more splattering.
– Cut bacon slices in half if they are longer than the width of your fryer basket.
– Fry similar slice thicknesses together so they finish at the same time.
– Blot bacon dry before frying to prevent popping and spattering.
– Fry bacon in manageable batches of 6-8 slices. Don’t overcrowd.
– Allow oil to fully reheat between batches to maintain temperature.
– Flip bacon halfway through frying for even cooking on both sides.
– Watch closely near the end of cooking time and remove bacon when slightly underdone. It will continue crisping up.
– Drain fried bacon on paper towels or a wire rack to absorb excess oil.
– Let bacon cool for 1-2 minutes before eating for optimal crispy texture.
Deep Frying Bacon Safety Tips
While deep frying makes cooking bacon a breeze, proper safety measures should be taken:
– Use caution when cooking with hot oil to avoid burns. Wear protective gloves/mitts.
– Attach a deep fry thermometer to monitor oil temp. Overheating can cause a fire.
– Don’t overfill the fryer more than 2/3 full to prevent overflow.
– Keep the fryer away from walls and cabinets in case of splattering.
– Turn fryer off immediately if smoke appears or oil starts bubbling up.
– Unplug the fryer after each use and let the oil fully cool before straining and storing.
– Never leave a fryer unattended, as overheated oil can combust.
– Keep a fire extinguisher on hand in case of emergency.
Conclusion
Frying up crispy, delicious bacon in a deep fryer is a quick cooking method that typically takes just 2-5 minutes. Actual frying times vary based on the bacon thickness, batch size, fryer temperature and power. For best results, fry uniform bacon slices in 350-375°F oil in small batches. Watch closely and remove the bacon just before it reaches your ideal level of doneness. With proper precautions, deep frying can be a safe and easy way to enjoy crispy bacon.