Hands Down The Best Ways to Cook Bacon
Cooking bacon is a staple for our weekend breakfast meals. I have tried so many different ways to cook bacon trying to nail down the best way to cook it….
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 01: Nueske’s bacon from Quality Eats on display at the 2016 New York Taste presented by Citi hosted by New York Magazine on November 1, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Brian Ach/Getty Images for New York Magazine)
Cooking bacon is a staple for our weekend breakfast meals. I have tried so many different ways to cook bacon trying to nail down the best way to cook it. It has to be fast and it has to be minimal clean up and the crunch has to be perfect. Here are the best ways I have found to achieve all three of those things!
1. The Oven
Cooking bacon in the oven is easy. Even cooking, less mess, and once you throw it on the baking sheet you just throw it in the oven and leave it.
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
- Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
- Lay the slices in a single layer on the sheet. (If you want it extra crispy put a wrack on the pan so the grease drips off of it as opposed to cooking in the grease)
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of your bacon and your desired level of crispiness.
- Once cooked, put the bacon on a plate lined with paper towels to drain the grease.
2. Microwave Method
If you are in a rush (which I feel like I always am), the microwave is the quickest way to cook the bacon. You aren't going to get the same crispiness that you will get in the oven but still a quick cook and an easy cleanup.
Instructions:
- Line a microwave-safe plate with paper towels.
- Place the bacon slices on the plate in a single layer, then cover them with another layer of paper towels. THIS STEP IS IMPORTANT for your cleanup.
- Microwave on high for 3-6 minutes, checking at the 3-minute mark. Keep your eye on it because all microwaves are different.
- Once done, put the bacon on the paper towels to soak up the grease.
3. Air Fryer
If you have an air fryer you know you can cook just about everything in there. It's quick, it's less grease and the excess fat drips away during the cooking. It's another easy clean up too! This is my favorite air fryer
Instructions:
- Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees.
- Put the strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.
- Cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through for even cooking.
- Once crispy, remove the bacon and place it on a paper towel-lined plate.
Each way listed cooks it with little cleanup and fast cooking. Happy bacon cooking from my kitchen to yours.
Foods You Should Probably Skip Air Frying
Some people can’t live without their air fryers, while others consider them to be glorified convection ovens. First things first, air fryers aren't deep fryers. Many people use them as an alternative that can have similar results, but they’re just not the same. Air fryers circulate very hot air around your food, and that heat penetrates the food, achieving crispiness without a lot of or any oi at all.
Why do some people choose not to hop on the air frying train?
Some experts have identified cancer risks related to high levels of certain chemicals found in some air fryers. Consumer Notice reported that Several models of air fryers contain polyfluorinated molecules, also known as "forever chemicals," in the nonstick coating of the basket. They also mention that scientific studies have established the health risks of exposure to high levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), showing links to health problems including infertility, hormone disruption, and some types of cancer.
They do suggest purchasing an air fryer with stainless steel or glass coatings to reduce PFAS exposure.
WebMD reported that in one study air frying fish raised the amount of a substance called "cholesterol oxidation products" (COPs). COPs form when the cholesterol in meat or fish breaks down during cooking. Studies connect these substances to coronary heart disease, hardening of the arteries, cancer, and other diseases. But there is a workaround. You can lower the amount of COPs when air frying fish by adding fresh parsley, chives, or a mixture of the two. They said that these herbs act as antioxidants to reduce the COPs in air-fried foods.
Then some people may avoid air fryers altogether due to mess and buildup that’s hard to clean or get to, uneven cooking, limited food space, or the fact that there are better or more efficient ways to cook.
On the other hand, many people love air fryers because they are quick, easy to use, and use less oil than deep frying.
If an air fryer is the latest addition to your kitchen appliance lineup, you may want to skip using it with certain foods.
Large Bone-In Meat
We're not talking about chicken wings here, we're talking about large whole chickens. You're better off sticking to an oven when it comes to cooking them. If you're wondering why, chicken must be cooked to a specific temperature internally before being consumed. According to the USDA, all poultry should reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Unfortunately, air frying this food item doesn't guarantee an even cook. But hey, at least chicken wings are small enough to get an even crisp. Just make sure you line the air fryer basket first if it's raw meat.
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Wet Batters
An air fryer is not a deep fryer. So, if you're looking to toss battered fries, meat cutlets, or battered veggies, think again. There's a big chance the batter will drip down the base of the machine, causing a big mess and major cleanup after. Bad enough, some people didn't know you even had to clean an air fryer regularly. No really, someone on Reddit shared that they didn't wash their air fryer basket after each use. "I don’t think I’ve ever washed it lol. I’ve had it for 8 months and decided to finally wash it today," they wrote. They continued to say how there was a bunch of "solidified juices" and "fat/ grease" from steak and chicken.
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Cheesy Foods
It's possible to make your favorite cheesy snacks in an air fryer. But it can get messy. AllRecipes cautions against air frying cheese. This isn't because of health reasons but for cleanup purposes. They point out that cheese melts fast. The outlet suggests sticking to foods that effectively hold the cheese in place. Maybe, just stick to frozen cheeses like mozzarella sticks.
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Leafy or Chard Greens
Sure you can go ahead and put those Brussels sprouts or broccoli in the air fryer. But skip putting spinach, collard, or chard leaves in. If you haven't tried it already, light leaves might move and shift around during the cooking process. You may also come across a fairly dry vegetable if you don't put a little oil with it. And, of course, you don't want to forget the seasonings.
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Popcorn
Some people have tried it but you probably shouldn't. Most air fryer models won't reach the required temperature to pop the kernels. According to Jolly Time Pop Corn, the best popping temperature is between 400 and 460 degrees Fahrenheit. Plus, popcorn kernels can become lodged within the air fryer's heating element, which can potentially cause it to short.
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Pasta, Quinoa, Rice, Grains
Some grains like bread can be cooked in an air fryer. However, it can get a little tricky with lighter breads like toast and English muffins due to the air making them fly around. But anything like pasta, quinoa, and rice doesn't do too well. Raw grains need to absorb water to cook. But there is some good news. If you have rice that's already cooked, just add a little oil to reat in the air fryer.
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