This simple way to air fry Canadian bacon is the best way to get perfectly cooked, crispy bacon without making a mess! It works for all kinds of back bacon, like peameal bacon, thick cut bacon, or deli slices.
When it comes to cooking bacon, the air fryer method has to be my favorite one.
There’s an easy and clean way to make this popular breakfast food, whether you’re talking about regular bacon, turkey bacon, or lean Canadian bacon.
The air fryer method is faster than using a skillet or baking, and the mess stays in the basket, so there is less grease splatter. Yup, that means you wont need to wipe down half your kitchen afterwords!.
Canadian bacon, sometimes called back bacon or peameal bacon, is a leaner, milder alternative to traditional fatty bacon. Its meaty texture and hint of sweetness make it ideal for breakfast sandwiches, pizza, salads, and more. While pan-frying is the usual cooking method, the air fryer offers a healthier and foolproof way to achieve crispy, delicious Canadian bacon at home.
Cooking Canadian bacon in the air fryer brings out its best qualities. The circulating hot air crisps up the edges while keeping the interior tender. In just minutes you can enjoy restaurant-worthy Canadian bacon without the mess and hassle of stove-top frying.
Read on for a complete guide to making crave-worthy Canadian bacon in the air fryer. You’ll learn tips for choosing the best bacon, recommended cook times, how to get ideal texture, and creative ways to serve this versatile ingredient.
Benefits of Cooking Canadian Bacon in an Air Fryer
Switching from the stovetop to the air fryer to cook Canadian bacon offers several advantages
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Healthier: Requires little to no oil for crisping instead of pan-frying in grease. Less messy and fewer calories.
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Quick: Cooks fast in 10-15 minutes instead of 20-30 minutes on the stove. Great for busy mornings.
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Consistent: Air fryer circulates heat evenly, preventing uneven cooking or burning.
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Easy: Simple ingredients and process. Just slice, season, and air fry. Minimal prep work needed.
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Versatile: Use air-fried Canadian bacon in various recipes from breakfast sandwiches to pizza and salads.
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Flavorful: Hot air seals in moisture and brings out the natural sweet, savory flavor of Canadian bacon.
With an air fryer, you can stop avoiding cooking Canadian bacon at home due to the hassle and enjoy it whenever the craving strikes!
Tips for Choosing Canadian Bacon for the Air Fryer
When buying Canadian bacon to cook in your air fryer, keep these tips in mind:
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Select good quality, ideally with a meaty ratio rather than too fatty.
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Choose convenient pre-cooked or fully-cooked Canadian bacon slices.
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Look for thick-cut bacon around 1⁄4-inch for the best texture.
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Opt for uncured if you want to avoid nitrates.
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Check the ingredients to confirm it’s made from pork loin, not belly.
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Pick bacon without artificial flavors or excessive seasonings that may burn.
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Buy Canadian bacon in bulk when on sale, then freeze extra portions.
Choosing high-quality, properly cut Canadian bacon ensures you start with the right product to turn out delicious air-fried bacon.
Step-by-Step Guide to Cooking Canadian Bacon in an Air Fryer
With the right techniques, you can easily make restaurant-worthy Canadian bacon at home in your air fryer. Follow these simple steps:
1. Pre-Heat the Air Fryer
Turn on your air fryer and set it to 400°F to fully preheat. This helps achieve an evenly crisp texture.
2. Slice and Season the Canadian Bacon
While preheating, slice Canadian bacon into 1⁄4 to 1⁄2-inch thick strips if needed. Season lightly with pepper or other spices if desired.
3. Place Bacon in Air Fryer Basket
Arrange bacon slices in a single layer on the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding for proper air circulation.
4. Air Fry for 7-10 Minutes
Cook at 400°F for 7-10 minutes based on thickness. Thinner bacon will cook faster. Check often to prevent burning.
5. Flip Bacon Halfway
After 3-5 minutes, open the basket and flip the bacon using tongs. This allows even browning.
6. Remove and Drain on Paper Towels
When done, remove the crispy Canadian bacon from the air fryer. Drain on paper towels to absorb excess grease.
7. Serve and Enjoy!
Your perfectly air-fried Canadian bacon is ready to eat! Enjoy on its own or in your favorite breakfast sandwiches, burgers, pizzas, and more.
Cooking Canadian bacon in the air fryer really is that simple! Adjust cook times based on your preferred level of crispiness.
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Canadian Bacon
Follow these handy tips for air frying Canadian bacon to crispy perfection:
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Pat bacon dry before air frying to help it get extra crispy.
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Use a light coat of oil spray if the bacon seems too dry or is sticking.
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Preheat the air fryer fully before adding bacon for even cooking.
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Cut bacon into uniform strips to ensure consistent cooking.
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Flip and rotate bacon during cooking for optimal crisping on all sides.
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Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket with too much bacon at once.
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Check bacon frequently to prevent overcooking. It can go from done to burnt quickly.
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Let air-fried Canadian bacon rest 1-2 minutes before eating if extremely hot.
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Serve immediately for the crispiest texture. Canadian bacon won’t stay crunchy for long.
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Pair air-fried bacon with eggs, hash browns, or pancakes for the perfect breakfast.
Proper preparation and monitoring while cooking lead to the crispiest, most flavorful air-fried Canadian bacon every time.
Troubleshooting Common Air Fryer Canadian Bacon Problems
Having trouble getting perfectly crisped results when making Canadian bacon in your air fryer? Here are some common issues with easy solutions:
Bacon not crispy enough: Increase cook time, cut in thinner strips, pat dry before cooking.
Bacon too crispy or burnt: Reduce cook time, watch it closely, lower air fryer temperature.
Bacon curled up: Use flat bacon slices, don’t overcrowd basket, flip halfway through.
Bacon sticks to basket: Lightly spray with oil first, avoid overfilling basket.
Bacon unevenly cooked: Cut bacon in uniform strips, flip during cooking, don’t overcrowd.
Bacon too oily: Drain on paper towels after cooking, pat dry before air frying.
Bacon too dry: Use good quality bacon, add a spritz of oil spray if needed.
With a few simple adjustments, you can easily fix any issues that arise for perfectly cooked air fryer Canadian bacon every time.
Get Creative with Air-Fried Canadian Bacon
Don’t limit air-fried Canadian bacon to just breakfast or burgers. Here are some fun ways to use this quick and delicious air fryer ingredient:
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Toss crispy Canadian bacon bits into salads or soups.
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Top baked potatoes with crumbled bacon and cheese.
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Enjoy bacon strips on a charcuterie or cheese board.
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Wrap cooked bacon around dried apricots, dates, or melon for a tasty bite.
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Add to macaroni and cheese, brussel sprouts, roasted broccoli or green beans.
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Fold into an omelette or scrambled eggs for a savory breakfast.
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Layer on nachos and finish under the broiler until bubbly and melted.
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Crumble over pizza, flatbreads, foccacia, pasta, rice bowls, and more.
With its milder flavor, Canadian bacon works well in both sweet and savory recipes. Air-fry up a batch to sprinkle onto all kinds of dishes for extra richness, crunch and saltiness.
Frequently Asked Questions About Air Frying Canadian Bacon
Here are answers to some common questions about making Canadian bacon in an air fryer:
Does Canadian bacon need to be thawed before air frying?
Yes, always thaw frozen Canadian bacon completely before air frying for food safety and even cooking.
How long does it take to cook Canadian bacon in an air fryer?
7-10 minutes at 400°F based on bacon thickness. Watch closely to avoid overcooking.
Can I reheat leftover air-fried Canadian bacon in the air fryer?
Yes, reheating for 1-2 minutes at 300°F helps restore crispiness. Avoid overheating.
Should I flip the bacon during the air fry time?
Yes, flipping halfway during cooking allows the bacon to brown evenly on both sides.
Can I air fry streaky pork belly bacon too?
Yes, normal bacon cooks well in the air fryer too. Follow the same method but watch closely as it has more fat.
Do I need to clean my air fryer after cooking greasy bacon?
It’s a good idea to remove any accumulated bacon grease from the air fryer basket and bottom tray after each use.
Can I air fry Canadian bacon along with eggs or potatoes?
Absolutely! The air fryer allows you to cook all
What to serve with Back Bacon:
- Hash browns
- Scrambled eggs
- Egg and cheese breakfast sandwiches
- English muffins
- Fried eggs
- Breakfast potatoes
- Omelettes
Most brands of Canadian bacon are gluten-free, but lower quality options may contain wheat crumbs as filler. Make sure to look at the package to make sure the brand you’re buying doesn’t have any gluten-containing ingredients.
Yes, Canadian bacon should always be cooked, just like regular bacon. You can cook it in a skillet, an oven, or an air fryer, and it needs to be at least 165oF (74oC) inside.
To cook bacon in an air fryer, you can separate it into slices if you can. Most frozen bacon comes in big chunks. Because they are frozen, make sure to add extra cooking time (between 3 and 6 minutes, depending on how thick the bacon is).
Why Use the Air Fryer?
- Quick. Heating food in a hot air fryer cuts the time it takes to cook by 25 to 50 percent for most foods. This is also true for Canadian bacon, also known as back bacon.
- Easy. The easiest way to cook Canadian bacon or use an air fryer for the first time. You’ll get great results every time.
- Perfect every time. When you air fry, the food gets chewy and just the right amount of crispy.
- Lean. There is less fat in Canadian bacon than in regular bacon and other fatty meats, but it usually needs a little oil when it’s cooked. You don’t need any oil when you use an air fryer.
- Canadian bacon: Also called back bacon, Irish bacon, or rashers. This kind of “bacon” is thin and lean, and it tastes like ham. It’s great on breakfast sandwiches, wraps, and as a leaner alternative to regular bacon.
This simple air fryer bacon recipe is great for a quick breakfast or even to make ahead of time. The extra grease stays below the air fryer basket, and it’s very easy to clean up. You don’t even need cooking spray or oil.
Before you begin, heat your air fryer basket for three minutes at 350o (177oC) (or as directed by the manufacturer).
- Put the slices of Canadian bacon in the air fryer in a single layer, making sure they don’t touch.
- Air fry for 6 to 10 minutes, or until the pieces are hot all the way through and the edges are golden brown.
- It will take longer to cook thicker pieces, but it will be done faster for deli slices.
- Take the slices out of the air fryer and serve them right away. If you want, you can let them drain on paper towels.
- Repeat with any remaining bacon, working in batches.
By putting the bacon in a glass baking dish and putting it in a low oven (200ºF/93ºC), you can keep it warm between batches.