For those who find cooking turkey bacon difficult, I’ll show you how to make it perfectly crispy every time.
Turkey bacon is something that many people struggle with. They want to have it, but hate the texture. It’s just…mushy.
Not that long ago, I went to my fellowship and we had a big baked potato bar potluck. I volunteered to bring the turkey bacon.
As everyone began to put together their potatoes, a few asked, “Is that turkey bacon?” The next question was, “How did you make it so crispy?”
I make turkey bacon crispy with two different methods. Below I will share both methods that I use.
Turkey bacon has become increasingly popular as a leaner alternative to pork bacon. However many find that no matter how they cook it, turkey bacon fails to get as satisfyingly crispy as regular bacon.
So, does turkey bacon get crispy? The short answer is yes – with the right cooking techniques, you can easily achieve crispy, crunchy turkey bacon. While it may require a few extra steps compared to pork bacon, crisping up turkey bacon is very doable.
In this guide I’ll explain why turkey bacon tends not to crisp up share tips for choosing the best turkey bacon for crispness, and detail simple methods to make turkey bacon super crispy and delicious. Let’s dive in!
Why Turkey Bacon Doesn’t Get Crispy
There are a few reasons why turkey bacon is prone to ending up chewy and limp instead of crispy and crunchy:
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Less fat content – Pork bacon is very high in fat, which renders out during cooking and crisps up the bacon. Turkey bacon has less overall fat, so there is less to render and crisp the meat.
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Thinner slices – Turkey bacon slices tend to be thinner than pork bacon slices. The thinner cut overcooks quickly before having as much time to crisp up.
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Added water – Many commercial turkey bacons contain added water, which prevents the meat crisping during cooking.
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Cooking method – Frying turkey bacon on too low of heat leads to steaming rather than crisping up.
How to Choose Turkey Bacon for Best Crispness
To get the crispiest turkey bacon results:
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Check the ingredients – Opt for turkey bacon with minimal added water or fillers that may inhibit crisping.
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Get thick-cut – Thicker sliced turkey bacon will crisp up better than thin slices. Look for at least 1/8 inch thickness.
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Choose uncured – Uncured turkey bacons have less water content and achieve crisper textures when cooked.
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Buy quality brands – Higher quality turkey bacons like Applegate and Wellshire Farms are less processed so crisp up better.
Frying Crispy Turkey Bacon in a Skillet
Pan frying is a quick, easy route to crispy turkey bacon. Use these tips:
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Use a heavy skillet or cast iron pan to distribute heat evenly. Nonstick also works well.
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Cook over medium-high heat – too low will lead to steaming.
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Add just 1⁄2 tablespoon oil to prevent sticking, too much causes steaming.
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Cook in a single layer without overlapping to allow even crisping.
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Flip frequently, every 30 seconds to 1 minute, to prevent cupping.
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Cook 2-4 minutes per side until it reaches your desired level of crispness.
Baking Crispy Turkey Bacon in the Oven
For crisp turkey bacon without the splattering grease, oven baking is ideal:
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Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment or foil for easy cleanup.
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Arrange the bacon in a single layer without overlapping on the sheet.
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Bake at 400°F, flipping halfway through, until it’s as crispy as you like, 15-18 minutes total.
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For extra crispy bacon, bake at 425°F and flip occasionally for 18-22 minutes total time.
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Using a wire rack on the sheet allows air circulation for evenly crisped results.
Air Frying Crispy Turkey Bacon
Air fryers use super hot circulating air to crisp up turkey bacon with little to no oil needed:
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Cut the slices to fit your air fryer basket in a single layer.
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Set temperature to 370-400°F and cook for 8-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
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Check often and cook until it reaches your desired level of crispness. Thicker slices may need longer.
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For extra crispness, optionally spray with a little oil since air fryers use very little.
Tips for Maximizing Crispness
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Pat turkey bacon dry before cooking to remove excess moisture that prevents crisping.
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Season or glaze with sweet flavors pre-cooking to boost flavor as it crisps up.
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Drain cooked turkey bacon on paper towels to soak up grease for an extra crispy finish.
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Let cooked turkey bacon cool slightly before eating, as it crisps up further as it cools.
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Store leftovers airtight in the fridge and reheat in the oven or air fryer to maintain crispness.
With the right prep and cooking techniques, you can easily achieve deliciously crispy turkey bacon. The key is using high heat, minimal added fat, frequent flipping, and not overcrowding the pan or baking sheet. In no time, you’ll be biting into satisfyingly crispy, crunchy turkey bacon. Ditch the chewy turkey bacon for good!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why doesn’t turkey bacon get as crispy as pork bacon?
Turkey bacon contains less fat than pork bacon, so there is less fat to render and crisp up the meat. The slices are also thinner than pork bacon and often contain added water, making crisping more difficult.
What is the best way to cook crispy turkey bacon?
Pan frying over medium-high heat and frequent flipping or baking at 400°F-425°F work best to crisp up turkey bacon. An air fryer also crisps up turkey bacon nicely. High heat is key for crispy results.
Should you cook turkey bacon less than regular bacon?
Turkey bacon typically takes less time to fully cook than pork bacon since the slices are thinner. However, to get it crispy, you may need to cook it for the same amount of time or longer to achieve the desired crispness before it overcooks.
Does baking turkey bacon make it crispy?
Yes, baking turkey bacon in the oven results in crispy texture, especially when cooked at a high temp (400°F+) on a parchment lined baking sheet. Frequent flipping while baking helps ensure even crispness.
Is turkey bacon healthier than pork bacon?
Turkey bacon is slightly leaner than pork bacon but still high in saturated fat and sodium. It has less cholesterol but also fewer healthy nutrients like protein, iron, and B vitamins that pork contains. The health impact is minimal so choose based on taste preference.
To Make Crispy Turkey Bacon Bits you will need:
- turkey bacon
- knife & cutting board
- paper towels
- cast iron skillet
- spatula
- duck fat
- plate or platter
To begin, pat the bacon dry with paper towels, wiping both sides of the slices.
Cut the bacon into thin strips. Set them aside for a moment.
Add a tablespoon or two of duck fat to your cast iron skillet. Put these on pretty high heat (not as high as your stove can go) until the fat shimmers.
Add turkey bacon strips to the skillet in a single layer. Work in batches. Don’t move them.
Wait for a minute or two, until the bacon begins to brown and release from the surface of the skillet, then use a thin spatula to turn the strips over to fully cook.
When they are done, transfer the bacon to a platter or plate lined with paper towels.
Enjoy your CRISPY turkey bacon bits.
You can cook turkey bacon slices in a cast iron skillet the same way you cook the bits. But turkey bacon is delicate and prone to tearing. It’s easier to work with the slices if you cut them in half.
For perfectly cooked turkey bacon slices, I make them in my air fryer.
Watch the 2 Crispy Turkey Bacon Methods in the Video Below:
I use my cast iron skillet to make bacon whenever I want bacon bits or crumbles.
To make it this way, there are three things you need.
Turkey bacon is extremely lean, and also very delicate. It is a serious challenge to cook it crispy.
To remedy the leanness, I add a little fat. My favorite fat to use is duck fat, because it can handle high heat without smoking. You can use another fat, but I’m telling you, give duck fat a try. It is also AMAZING for making skillet fried potatoes.