Creating crispy bacon bits in the air fryer is both quick and effortless. I love adding these air-fried bacon crumbles to salads for an extra burst of flavor!
Serve over my Air Fryer Steakhouse Potatoes, Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers, or over Air Fryer Loaded Fries!
If you have been wondering what the day old question, if you can cook bacon bits in the air fryer, you will be surprised to learn that you can make bacon bits in the air fryer.
Air Fryer Bacon Bits recipe
Bacon bits or crumbles are a must-have condiment for any passionate home cook! Before I started making my own bacon bits at home, we always kept Kirkland bacon crumbles in our refrigerator because we added them to almost everything—pasta, salads, bacon grilled cheese, soups, and more. We’ve found that bacon bits are incredibly versatile!
If you have ever bought store-bought bacon bits, these are so much better, the taste is amazing! By making your own, you will save so much money!
Why You Should Make Bacon Bits In The Air Fryer
- Quick and Convenient: Bacon crumbles takes significantly less time than traditional cooking methods.
- Less Mess: Cooking bacon in the air fryer minimizes grease splatter and clean-up.
- Crispy Texture: The air fryer circulates hot air, ensuring that your bacon bits achieve the perfect level of crispiness without burning.
- Versatile Use: Homemade bacon bits can be added to a variety of dishes, from salads to pasta, enhancing flavors and adding a delicious crunch.
- Customization: You can easily control the seasoning and cook time, allowing you to create bacon bits that suit your personal taste preferences.
Ingredients
- Bacon: You can use regular, center-cut, or even turkey bacon!
- Granulated Sugar and Brown Sugar (optional): Adds a lot of flavor to the bacon, if you want you can use all brown sugar, for even more flavor!
How to Make Air Fryer Bacon Bits (Bacon Crumbles)
Step One: Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F, for 3-5 minutes. Combine granulated sugar and brown sugar in a shallow casserole dish and stir to mix.
Step Two: Dip Both sides of the bacon in the sugar. Tip: ** Depending on your air fryer, Add 3 tablespoons of water to the bottom of the air fryer basket to prevent smoking from cooking the bacon. We use an Instant Pot Vortex
Step Three: Place bacon into the air fryer in a single layer and set cook time for 10 to 12 minutes.
Step Four: Remove bacon from the air fryer basket and cut into 1” pieces. Add to a food processor and pulse to form a crumb mixture. Alternatively, place bacon into a Ziploc baggie and crush it into fine crumbs.
Air Fryer Bacon Bits Recipe Tips
- Bacon: Use great quality bacon.
- Don’t Crowd The Air Fryer: For best results, do not crowd the basket, if you want to make a huge batch of bacon bits cook the bacon in batches.
- Timing Of The Bacon: Since everyone’s air fryer is slightly different, I would recommend that you check on your bacon frequently as it cooks up.
- Room Temperature: Let the bacon cool to room temperature, before processing it.
Air Fryer Bacon Bits Recipe Faqs
How do I store leftover bacon bits? Store leftover bacon bits in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. For longer storage, you can freeze them in a freezer-safe bag for up to three months.
Can I use turkey bacon instead of regular bacon? Yes, you can use turkey bacon, but the texture and flavor will differ. Turkey bacon may not get as crispy as pork bacon, so adjust the cooking time accordingly.
How long does it take to cook bacon bits in the air fryer? Cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the bacon, but generally, it takes about 8-12 minutes at 400°F, shaking the basket halfway through for even cooking.
Can I cook bacon bits in advance? Yes, you can prepare bacon bits in advance and store them in the fridge or freezer. Just reheat them in the air fryer or microwave before using.
Do I need to preheat the air fryer? Preheating the air fryer is generally recommended for best results, as it helps to achieve an even cooking temperature.
Can I season the bacon bits? Absolutely! You can season the bacon bits with your favorite spices, such as black pepper, garlic powder, or smoked paprika, before cooking to enhance the flavor.
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
- AIR FRYER BACON WRAPPED ZUCCHINI (LOW CARB, KETO):
- AIR FRYER TWISTED CANDIED BACON
- EASY AIR FRYER BACON-WRAPPED POTATOES
- AIR FRYER BACON WRAPPED PEACHES
- AIR FRYER BACON BOMBS
Don’t Forget To Pin!
Air Fryer Bacon Bits
Description
Ingredients
- 12 pieces bacon
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoons brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.
- Combine granulated sugar and ½ tbsp brown sugar in shallow casserole dish and stir to mix
- Dip Both sides of the bacon in the sugar
- ** Depending on your air fryer, Add 3 tablespoons of water to the bottom of the air fryer basket to prevent smoking from cooking the bacon. We use an Instant Pot Vortex**
- Place bacon into the air fryer in a single layer and cook for 10 to 12 minutes.
- Remove bacon from the air fryer basket and cut into 1” pieces. Add to a food processor and pulse to form a crumb mixture. Alternatively, place bacon into a Ziploc baggie and crush into fine crumbs.
Equipment
- Cooking Spray
- Parchment Paper, optional
Nutrition
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