Air Fryer Twisted Bacon — The Viral TikTok Trick That Actually Makes Bacon Better
Description
The viral TikTok bacon trend — crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, done in under 10 minutes in the air fryer. One ingredient, six seasoning options, zero mess. The only way you'll want to make bacon from now on.
Ingredients
- 1 pound bacon , center cut, regular-cut, or thick-cut (see timing chart below)
- 1 slice sandwich bread, for the smoke-prevention trick — placed below the basket, not eaten
Optional seasonings — choose one or mix:
- Brown sugar candied: ½ tsp packed brown sugar per strip,
- Maple glazed: ½ tsp pure maple syrup per strip, brushed on after twisting
- Spicy cayenne: ¼ tsp cayenne + ¼ tsp smoked paprika, sprinkled before twisting
- Black pepper & garlic: cracked black pepper + pinch of garlic powder, pressed in before twisting
- Sweet & spicy: 1 tsp brown sugar + ¼ tsp cayenne + pinch smoked paprika, sprinkled before twisting
Instructions
- Place a slice of bread in the bottom drawer of the air fryer (below the basket) to absorb bacon grease drippings. Alternatively, add 1–2 tablespoons of water to the drip tray. This prevents smoking during cooking.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F for 3 minutes.
- Hold each bacon strip at both ends and rotate your hands in opposite directions to create a tight spiral rope. The tighter the twist, the better the shape holds and the more dramatic the result. If using dry seasonings, sprinkle them now before twisting so they get embedded in the spiral.
- If using maple syrup or honey, brush onto the twisted strips now, after forming the spiral.
- Place twisted strips in the air fryer basket. They can be close together or lightly touching — just don't overlap or stack. Most baskets fit 6–10 strips per batch.
- Cook according to the thickness chart below. Start checking at the minimum time. Remove when the bacon reaches your preferred crispness — it will continue to crisp slightly as it cools.
- Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate using tongs. Let rest for 1–2 minutes before serving — this is when it firms up to maximum crispiness.
Equipment
- Parchment Paper, or Aluminum Foil
Notes
Timing Chart
| Bacon Type | Time at 350°F | Check At |
|---|---|---|
| Thin-cut | 6–8 minutes | 5 minutes |
| Regular / Center-cut | 8–10 minutes | 7 minutes |
| Thick-cut | 12–15 minutes | 10 minutes |
| Any cut — extra crispy | Add 2–3 min to above | Check every minute |
Oven Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and set a wire rack on top.
- Arrange twisted strips on the wire rack. Bake 20 minutes, flip each strip, bake 15–20 more minutes until desired crispness.
- Drain on paper towels and rest 2 minutes before serving.
The bread trick is non-negotiable if you're using sugary variations — caramelizing sugar drips burn faster than plain fat. Do not cook at 400°F+ with bacon; 350°F gives you more control and far less smoke. Strips can touch in the basket but must not overlap. Cooked bacon keeps in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 2–3 minutes to restore crispiness.
Nutrition
Serving: 1ServingCalories: 490kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 15gFat: 45gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gMonounsaturated Fat: 20gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 75mgSodium: 781mgPotassium: 232mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 0.3gVitamin A: 42IUCalcium: 19mgIron: 1mg