The air fryer is an appliance that keeps food, such as bacon, suspended in a basket while wrapping it with very hot air on all sides. This process creates an effect similar to baking, grilling or frying. It also requires significantly less oil than other techniques, and bacon fat drips off the meat as it cooks. After all, air frying makes these strips of cured meat potentially healthier than the ones you love, but they're just as delicious.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Cook Bacon in an Air Fryer
Step 1. Preheat the appliance before inserting the meat
It takes two or three minutes and this waiting time allows the fryer to reach the correct temperature to cook the bacon well. In most cases, just set the desired temperature and wait at least two minutes before putting the food in the basket.
Operate the appliance only on a flat, heat-resistant surface, also check that there is free space around the vent valve at least as large as your hand
Step 2. Grease the bacon
You have to apply a thin layer of oil directly on the salami before putting it in the basket; the best way to do this is to pour the flavored oil of your taste into a spray bottle and spread it not only on the meat, but also on the bottom of the basket. For a crunchy dish, spray only a single layer.
- Choose a plastic bottle with a hand pump and fill it with liquid oil, such as olive oil.
- Although there are oils in pressure bottles on the market, remember that the gases required for vaporization can ruin some non-stick surfaces that are used in the kitchen (including the basket of the air fryer).
Step 3. Space the bacon slices in the container
Avoid overlapping many by limiting the number of strips you cook at one time. Since the size of the basket varies according to the model, there is no ideal quantity of bacon; the important thing is to allow the air to circulate and wrap the food almost completely. Therefore avoid accumulating more layers, otherwise the intermediate ones remain covered.
Proper air circulation reduces cooking times and guarantees excellent results, especially as regards crunchiness
Step 4. Shake the basket while cooking
While you are air frying the bacon, stop the appliance once or twice to remove the pan and shake it; by doing so, you change the position of the meat in the fryer and allow for even cooking. To make sure that each slice changes position correctly during frying, take a pair of kitchen tongs and turn it individually.
Step 5. Follow the instructions of the appliance
Frying time and temperature vary according to the model; therefore, the manual contains a table listing these specifications.
One of the benefits of air frying is that you can remove the basket whenever you want to check the food
Method 2 of 3: Managing the Air Fryer
Step 1. Add water to the drip tray
Since bacon contains fat by nature, it is likely that it will melt and drip from the basket during cooking; to prevent it from burning and emitting smoke, pour a little water into the drip tray to help cool the greased component.
- To minimize the amount of fat dripping from the salami slices, dab them one by one with absorbent paper before placing them in the appliance.
- The smoke emitted by the burnt fat and grease is white; if you notice black smoke, turn off the fryer. Once it has cooled down, observe the cooking chamber and remove any food residues.
Step 2. Wait for the appliance to cool down
Turn it off at the end of cooking; some models perform a cooling process, during which the fan continues to spin. So you don't have to be alarmed if you keep hearing some noise, just check the fryer and make sure you have turned it off; the fan should automatically stop within 20-30 seconds.
Do not handle it until it becomes cold. Unplug, remove basket and drip tray
Step 3. Wash the components with very hot, soapy water
Remember to wash the basket, the drip tray and the support that holds the basket. Use a soft sponge or brush to avoid damaging the non-stick coating. Leave the elements to soak in soapy water to facilitate operations; generally, they can be safely washed in the upper rack of the dishwasher.
Rub the surfaces of the machine with a damp, clean cloth, paying particular attention to the areas subject to the most dirt
Step 4. Turn the fryer back on to dry it
After cleaning and rinsing, insert the plug into the socket and start the appliance for two or three minutes; by doing so, you dry the internal components better than you could by hand. When finished, don't forget to turn off the fryer and disconnect it from the power supply.
Always store it in a clean and dry place
Method 3 of 3: Prepare Bacon-based Dishes with the Air Fryer
Step 1. Cook a bacon-coated meatloaf
To prepare a dish that satisfies several people, get half a kilo of ground beef, 100 g of breadcrumbs, 60 ml of ketchup, 5 g of salt and as much pepper, 15 g of dried onion, a beaten egg, two thin slices of bacon and barbecue sauce. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl, except the bacon and the sauce, shape the dough giving it the classic shape of a meatloaf about 15-16 cm long.
- After preheating the air fryer, cook the meatloaf for 20 minutes at 180 ° C; take out the basket with the meat still in it.
- Cut the bacon into shorter strips and arrange them on top of the meatloaf, brush it with barbecue sauce and return to the air fryer for another 15 minutes.
- Make sure the meat is well cooked before turning off the appliance; if not, increase the cooking time by 5 minutes at a time.
Step 2. Make bacon-wrapped shrimp
For four people, you need 16 giant prawns, peeled and without intestines, and as many thin slices of bacon. Wrap each shellfish with a slice of bacon at room temperature; put everything back in the refrigerator for 20 minutes, while preheating the air fryer up to 200 ° C. Cook the wrapped shrimp for 5-7 minutes.
Let the dish cool down a bit and soak up excess liquids with kitchen paper before serving
Step 3. Cook bacon and cheese croquettes
For six servings, combine half a kilo of aged cheddar cheese, as much bacon in slices, 60 ml of olive oil, 130 g of 00 flour, 2 beaten eggs and 120 g of breadcrumbs. Cut the cheese into six portions and wrap each of these with two slices of salami; the bacon should completely cover the cheddar.
- Place the croquettes in the freezer for five minutes to firm them up, but be careful not to forget them!
- Preheat the air fryer to 200 ° C. Meanwhile, mix the breadcrumbs with the oil to get an even mixture. Dip each bacon and cheese roll in the flour, then the egg and finally the breadcrumbs, applying a little pressure to make the breading adhere.
- If you wish, you can pass the croquettes in eggs and breadcrumbs a second time, to prevent the cheese from coming out.
- Cook them in the deep fryer for 7-8 minutes or until they start to turn golden.
