Small kitchen appliances aren’t exactly known for their versatility. Because they are usually only made to do a few things, they might not be useful for you depending on the things you make in your kitchen all the time.
So, sometimes a little creativity can turn a simple appliance into a useful and flexible cooking tool! That’s exactly what I want to do in this post, where I talk about 9 surprising things you can cook in a panini press!
A panini press is a versatile kitchen appliance that can be used for much more than just paninis With the right techniques, you can use a panini press to cook bacon quickly and evenly for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Cooking bacon in a panini press results in crispy flavorful meat without the splatter and mess of frying in a skillet. In this guide we’ll cover everything you need to know to master cooking bacon on your panini press.
Benefits of Using a Panini Press for Bacon
- Even cooking: The heated top and bottom plates cook the bacon from both sides at once.
- Reduced splatter: Unlike in a skillet, the grease stays inside the press so there’s minimal mess.
- Speed: Bacon cooks fast in a preheated panini press, usually 3 minutes or less.
- Easy flipping: The bacon can be flipped and rotated easily by opening the press. No spatula required!
- Perfect crispiness: The press squeezes out fat and crisps up the bacon beautifully.
- Great for batches: Fill up the large plates to cook bacon for a crowd!
Choosing the Right Panini Press
Nearly any panini press can be used to cook bacon, but larger models with non-stick plates offer the best experience. Here’s what to look for:
- Non-stick cooking plates: Make bacon release and cleanup easier.
- Large surface area: Accommodates more bacon slices at once.
- Adjustable temperature: Allows customizing heat based on bacon thickness.
- Floating hinge: Evenly distributes pressure and heat across both plates.
If your panini press has removable plates, be sure to use the non-stick ones for bacon cooking.
Preparing the Bacon
Proper prep is key for achieving evenly cooked bacon in a panini press.
- Choose thick-cut bacon with wide slices that lay flat
- Cut each slice in half lengthwise so it fits better in the press
- Blot slices dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture
- Consider adding spices or brown sugar before cooking for flavor
Cutting the bacon slices in half helps them fit in the press better and cook more evenly. Thinner bacon overall tends to crisp up better than thick-cut styles.
Seasoning the Bacon (Optional)
Adding some seasoning before cooking gives an extra flavor punch to panini press bacon. Lightly coat both sides of the bacon with seasonings of your choice:
- Brown sugar or maple syrup for sweetness
- Fresh cracked black pepper for spice
- Chili powder for heat
- Smoked paprika for savory depth
Go easy on sugars and salt, as they can burn quickly in the hot press. Herbs, spices, and rubs are great seasoning options.
Cooking the Bacon in the Press
With your press preheated and bacon prepped, it’s time to cook! Follow these tips for perfect panini press bacon every time.
- Preheat press at medium 5 minutes before cooking
- Place bacon halves in a single layer, leaving space between
- Close press and cook for 2-3 minutes
- Open press, flip bacon, and cook 2-3 minutes more
- Repeat until desired crispness is reached
The cooking time can vary based on the thickness of the bacon and your desired level of crispness. Thinner bacon may take only 2-3 minutes total.
Troubleshooting Bacon in the Press
Having some issues getting perfect results? Here are some quick fixes:
- Bacon too limp – Increase cooking time and press temperature
- Bacon too crispy – Lower temp, use thicker cut, or cook less time
- Uneven cooking – Cut bacon thinner and rotate pieces while cooking
- Bacon sticks – Use non-stick plates and allow bacon to finish cooking before opening press
With a few tweaks and some practice, you’ll be able to cook the bacon exactly how you like it in the press.
Serving Bacon Straight from the Press
Fresh, hot bacon straight from the panini press makes a tasty topping for all sorts of dishes:
- Breakfast sandwiches or paninis
- Bacon cheeseburgers
- Salad with warm bacon bits
- Baked potatoes with bacon crumbles
- Bacon and egg breakfast tacos
- Bacon jam or marmalade
For a complete breakfast, you can cook eggs or hash browns right in the press after the bacon!
Storing and Reheating Leftover Bacon
Properly stored, leftover panini press bacon keeps well for up to 1 week refrigerated.
- Allow bacon to cool completely before refrigerating in an airtight container
- Place paper towels in the container to absorb excess grease
- For longer freezer storage, wrap cooked bacon tightly in plastic wrap or freezer bags
To reheat, wrap bacon in a paper towel and microwave in 30 second intervals until warmed through. You can also reheat in the panini press by cooking for 1-2 minutes.
Safety Tips for Cooking Bacon in a Press
Cooking bacon involves hot oil splatter and steam, so safety is important. Follow these tips to avoid burns:
- Wear short sleeves to keep fabric away from hot plates
- Use oven mitts or tongs for handling hot bacon
- Keep your face clear of rising steam when opening press
- Supervise children near the hot press
- Allow grease to cool before disposing
With some care, you can safely enjoy delicious homemade bacon from your panini press. Just be mindful when cooking to prevent accidents.
Give panini press bacon a try for breakfast, lunch, dinner or anytime! Adjust cook times and seasoning to customize results to your taste. In no time, you’ll be a pro at cooking quick and easy bacon in your press.
Which Press Is Best?
You can cook the items listed below in just about any panini press or press-style grill. But if you’re looking for a model that offers the most versatility and usefulness, it’s hard to beat the Cuisinart 5-in-1 Griddler (shown in the photos throughout this post.)
Its two cooking plates are reversible, non-stick, and dishwasher-safe. You can even open it all the way up and use it like a standard griddle or grill!.
The Hamilton Beach Electric Panini Press is another good option, and it’s slightly cheaper than the Cuisinart model while still offering a range of useful features.
Can you cook bacon in a panini press?
FAQ
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