Turkey bacon is made of ground turkey meat instead of pork. It is typically lower in fat and calories than traditional pork bacon, making it a good option for those looking to reduce their saturated fat intake or who follow a dietary restriction that forbids pork consumption.
Turkey bacon is often seasoned and cured similarly to pork bacon, and it can be cooked similarly, though due to its lower fat content, it may require slightly less cooking time. It can be used in a variety of dishes, including sandwiches, salads, and omelets, as well as eaten as a snack on its own.
How Long to Air Fry Turkey Bacon?
Making turkey bacon in an air fryer is a fantastic method to reduce fat and calorie intake without sacrificing flavor. The amount of time it takes to cook turkey bacon in an air fryer depends on the type and size of the air fryer, as well as the thickness and desired level of crispiness of the turkey bacon. Here are some general guidelines for air-frying turkey bacon:
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).
- Place the turkey bacon in the air fryer basket in a single layer, carefully not to overcrowd the bacon.
- Cook the turkey bacon for 5-7 minutes or until it reaches the crispiness you prefer.
- Use tongs to flip the turkey bacon over carefully, then cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- Remove the turkey bacon from the air fryer and drain any excess grease on a plate lined with paper towels.
- Allow a few minutes for the turkey bacon to cool before serving.
Keep an eye on the turkey bacon as it cooks, and adjusts the cooking time as needed based on your personal preferences and the features of your air fryer. It’s also a good idea to use a meat thermometer to check the doneness of the turkey bacon, which should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to be fully cooked.
Can you Freeze it Before Reheating it?
Knowing how to pre-freeze turkey bacon before reheating it will help you whether you’re using it to create sandwiches or frying it in a skillet. This process keeps the bacon fresh and is simple. Examine the expiration date of the items you purchase.
You must take the fat out of the cooked turkey bacon before freezing it. The meat should then be placed in an airtight container or a sturdy freezer bag. To keep the slices apart from one another, use wax paper. To reduce waste, you should mark the packaging as well.
Place the raw turkey bacon in a strong freezer bag before freezing. Lay the bacon on a baking sheet covered with wax paper after putting it in the bag. By doing this, the bacon will be less likely to cling together.
Wrap the bacon in plastic wrap once it has cooled. This will assist the bacon in retaining moisture, extending its shelf life to three to five days.
Tips
Don’t Stuff your Air Fryer Too Full
- It’s crucial to keep in mind not to overcrowd the air fryer whether you’re cooking bacon for dinner or breakfast. Food can burn if it is overcooked and cooked unevenly.
- Because turkey bacon contains a lot of sodium and saturated fat, it is advisable to choose versions with lower sodium content. It is a fantastic option for lowering cholesterol because it also contains fewer calories than hog bacon. To get the maximum taste, it is ideal to use thick-cut, uncured bacon.
- Try to cook no more than a few slices at a time to prevent overwhelming your air fryer. By using this method, you can guarantee that the turkey bacon will be cooked through and have a crisp outside.
- A fantastic technique to save time and lessen the quantity of oil you need to add to your food is to use an air fryer for bacon. It doesn’t call for supervision and is speedier than roasting when it comes to frying.
- Observe the bacon after five minutes. Add time as necessary because every air fryer fries a little bit differently. Not more than 8 to 10 minutes total is needed.
- To ensure consistent frying, arrange the turkey bacon in a single layer. You might need to chop the bacon strips in half before cooking, depending on the size of your air fryer.
- After it has finished cooking, people prefer to put the slices on a dish covered with paper towels to help drain off any extra fat. It seems that turkey bacon has less grease than hog bacon.
Is it Healthier Compared to Regular Bacon?
If you’re on a diet or have a pig allergy, turkey bacon may be an option for you. Due to its decreased calorie and fat content, it is a good choice for individuals trying to eat properly.
However, because turkey bacon is still highly processed, you should only eat it occasionally. It may contain preservatives and has a distinct flavor from regular bacon manufactured from pork.
Another problem is sodium. The American Heart Foundation advises against exceeding 1,900 mg of salt daily. Consider getting a version with less salt.
Turkey bacon contains more salt than pig bacon while having less saturated fat. Turkey bacon is salted to enhance the flavor. Although the salt content of turkey bacon is often not harmful to health, it might be for someone who has kidney or high blood pressure issues.
Why Should People Try This Recipe?
This air fryer turkey bacon recipe will quickly become a favorite to serve with your preferred breakfast, sandwich, and snack meals. It’s ideal for hectic mornings.
- This approach is quick and simple, with little preparation time, and it is ready in only 10 minutes. In addition, the outcome is mouthwateringly crispy turkey bacon that everyone will adore.
- Thanks to the ease of air fryer technology, cleanup is simpler and less messy.
- It has a hands-off cooking method and a straightforward recipe. Placing the bacon in the hot air fryer basket and waiting for it to crisp up is all that’s necessary!
- It is a terrific substitute for typical bacon that is fried in a pan and a healthier option.
- It works well as a side dish for pancakes or French toast, as well as in dishes like omelets, skillets, and quick breakfast sandwiches. Try incorporating it into soups and salads for lunch or dinner if you don’t simply eat it for breakfast.
How to Tell When Turkey Bacon is Done?
When air-frying bacon for the first time, keep a close eye on it to make sure the desired level of crispness is achieved. You’ll always get excellent bacon in the air fryer if you note how long it takes to get the right level of crispiness.
Which Turkey Bacon is Best?
You might notice that some of the packages have “cured” and “uncured” labels. Picking up uncured bacon is preferable since it indicates that the meat has not been preserved using sodium nitrates. Any brand of uncured turkey bacon without nitrates is available.
Trader Joe’s turkey bacon and Applegate turkey bacon are a couple of our favorites that are both untreated.
Per Slice, Trader Joe’s Brand has One Net Carb
The most affordable Trader Joe’s brand turkey bacon costs $3.49 for an 8 oz sleeve, which is still a significant investment but is a step above the competition in terms of flavor and quality.
The aforementioned cheapest snob will probably have to spend more for their preferred purveyor’s more sophisticated items, but it’s a cost worth paying.
It’s not simple to achieve when you’re still on a diet, but the company’s uncured, peppered bacon is marketed as the tastiest and healthiest choice available. Naturally, eating a healthy diet entails avoiding all processed foods, but it’s also a good idea to regularly include fresh fruits and vegetables.
In light of this, how do you manage to fit everything else in your diet into your already hectic schedule? Take a break from your typical routine and do some food shopping and dinner preparation, as indicated in the response above.
How to Clean the Air Fryer?
The air fryer basket can be kept clean in a few different ways.
- The bottom of the basket should be covered with a piece of parchment paper. Once you’re done cooking it, you may throw it away.
- Although I haven’t tried it, some people prefer to place a slice of bread on the bottom to absorb any fat.
- Use water and dish soap to wash. I usually clean the air fryer basket in this manner. I use a paper towel to clean the bottom after letting the grease cool. Wash in the sink after that and allow to air dry.
- For incredibly simple cleanup, most air fryer baskets may also be placed in the dishwasher.
Conclusion
Air frying turkey bacon is a quick and simple way to prepare it. An air fryer and a few strips of turkey bacon are required to air fry turkey bacon. To begin, preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Then, arrange the turkey bacon in the air fryer basket, being careful not to overlap the strips. Cook the turkey bacon for 5-7 minutes or until it reaches the crispiness you prefer.
Depending on the thickness of the bacon and your personal preference for doneness, you may need to adjust the cooking time. Remove the turkey bacon from the air fryer and set it aside to cool for a few minutes before serving. Air frying turkey bacon is a quick and easy way to get the flavor of bacon without all of the fat and calories that traditional pork bacon has.
