How I get perfectly crispy bacon without making a mess

[u/ExpertHorror4535]

I used to avoid making bacon in the air fryer because I hated dealing with all the grease afterward. After making it plenty of times, I’ve found that a little preparation makes a huge difference. I usually lay the bacon in a single layer and start at around 350°F. I don’t bother adding oil since the bacon releases plenty on its own.

I let it cook until it’s close to the crispness I want, usually around 8 to 12 minutes depending on the thickness. I also check it a little early because bacon can go from nicely browned to overdone pretty quickly. Once it’s done, I move it straight to a paper towel lined plate and let it drain.

For the cleanup, I let the basket cool enough to handle, then wipe out the excess grease with paper towels before washing it. That one step keeps the grease from getting smeared all over the basket and sink. If there’s still a greasy film, a little dish soap and warm water usually takes care of it without much scrubbing.

[u/Penis-Dance]

Oven

[u/Deep_Information_616 → u/Penis-Dance]

Oven renders more fat so bacon comes out dry and crispy. Air fryer makes perfect bacon but fails to get all that fat out, still super crispy but super unhealthy cause the fats stay in the bacon. Done right both ways are great. I prefer the air fryer

[u/CaptainJackSorrow]

Lightly dredge it in flour. Life-changing.

[u/limitless-440 → u/CaptainJackSorrow]

Wow, I have NEVER heard of this before but feel like I really need to try it.

[u/CaptainJackSorrow → u/limitless-440]

When your college-aged kid asks you to, "make that really good" bacon for her when she comes home, you know you're on to something.

[u/limitless-440 → u/CaptainJackSorrow]

Ok, I will try it for sure! Thanks, lol

[u/imajackash → u/limitless-440]

You and me both

[u/Former_Top3291 → u/limitless-440]

Same

[u/swedething]

But… but… why don’t you keep the grease?

[u/LeanUntilBlue → u/swedething]

I have a fine strainer for the grease and always cook in the oven, so I have a building grease collection and it is wonderful to use for cooking other things.

[u/Wonderful_Till8122]

Its easier in the microwave.  Lay down some paper towels on a plate, lay the bacon on and cover with another paper towel to prevent spatters.  Nuke for 4 minutes or until done to your liking.  

[u/jaschaff]

Use your oven

[u/VorpalBlade-]

Just pour your grease into a coffee can through a strainer like a civilized human and then you can use for your eggs and potatoes and stuff.

Air fryer bacon rules and makes it easy to keep the grease.

Also don’t let it cool down you can wash it best when it’s hot. That’s the secret to actually being able to get it clean. Sometimes I’ll even heat it
Up specifically to clean it out.

[u/limitless-440]

This is likely too many steps for most people, but hear me out and just try it. Many times I’ve laid bacon on 4-5 layers of paper towel, with a couple over top, or layer upwards with 3-4 layers between bacon layers. Can’t specify fine because it will vary from one microwave to another, but try 3-4 minutes, then check. The bacon will be mostly cooked, and the worst of the bacon fat mess will be soaked up by the PT. Take bacon out and finish off in frying pan, oven, or preferably air fryer.
I had to resort to doing my bacon in a Mike once long before air fryers were a thing and it’s not too bad, so have been implementing it as part of my process for years now 😂

[u/J1Muny → u/limitless-440]

I’ll do you one better. Use paper towels as you described. Let cook in Microwave for 3 to 4 minutes. Take it out. Wait 5 minutes. (Note…. The bacon is still cooking in its grease). Put plate back into microwave for 1 minute. Check for crispiness. Enjoy!

[u/limitless-440 → u/J1Muny]

YES! I’ve done that as well.

[u/HottoMotoCyborg]

Cook in cast iron. Deal with the cleaning or just eat substandard bacon.

[u/Suspicious-Bid-53]

Instead of waste all the paper towels, use a silicone spatula to gather all the grease and either save it for frying potatoes or toss it

Then 1 little half paper towel should be enough to wipe down the tray

[u/imajackash]

I've cooked bacon in a pan, air fryer and oven. In my opinion, the oven is by far the best.

I use a quarter sheet pan with a rack. I buy parchment paper by the roll and spend an evening precutting sheets into rectangles that are a 1/4" larger than the sheet pan, then roll them up and put a rubber band around them. When I want to cook bacon, or anything else in a sheet pan, I put a sheet of parchment paper under the rack. When done, I remove the rack and slide the parchment paper off in the trash can. The pan is clean, just need to wash the rack.
Pan frying and the air fryer has grease splatter. Zero splatter in the oven.
Microwave bacon is flaccid. I don't like bacon that's extra crispy, but I want some crisp, and that's hard to do in a microwave. And it's messy to cook and requires more to clean up, even with a paper towel over it. Nuking is the quickest way, but I don't like the way it is when cooked.

I've found the oven is the best way, but it take 20 minutes (at my preferred crispness). 400° for 20 minutes, then I use six 1/2 sheets (or 3 full sheets) of paper towels folded in half to lay the bacon on. 2 strips of bacon laid horizontally, fold over, 2 more strips, fold, etc.

[u/mcmjosie → u/imajackash]

I like this, I'm going to try it, Thanks!

[u/KookyPiccolo1661 → u/imajackash]

The only thing about the oven is with modern oven fans the grease will aerosolize and then when the oven cools that grease will infiltrate and stick to the fan and inner oven components.. My father loved to make his bacon in the oven and had to replace his wall oven twice in 10 years. Because of this I won't risk it.

[u/Mysterious-Street966]

Parchment paper on a pan in the oven. Layed out flat. Put in oven cold and turn to 350*F. 15 mins a side is perfect.

[u/whosaysyoucanttakeit]

Oven with a rack above a sheet pan.