To air fry bacon, follow these simple steps:
1. **Preheat the Air Fryer**: Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature. Most recipes suggest preheating to around 400°F (200°C), but you can adjust based on your preference.
2. **Prepare the Bacon**: Lay out the bacon strips on a flat surface. You can choose to season the bacon with black pepper, paprika, or other spices if desired.
3. **Arrange in the Air Fryer Basket**: Place the bacon strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure not to overlap the strips to ensure even cooking.
4. **Cook the Bacon**: Place the basket in the preheated air fryer and cook the bacon for about 8 to 12 minutes, depending on the thickness of the bacon and your desired level of crispiness. Check on the bacon periodically to prevent overcooking.
5. **Flip the Bacon (Optional)**: If desired, you can flip the bacon halfway through the cooking time to ensure that both sides cook evenly. This step is optional but can help achieve more consistent results.
6. **Drain Excess Fat**: As the bacon cooks, excess fat may accumulate in the bottom of the air fryer basket. You can use tongs to carefully remove the bacon and drain off any excess fat before serving.
7. **Serve**: Once the bacon reaches your desired level of crispiness, remove it from the air fryer and transfer it to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any remaining grease. Allow the bacon to cool slightly before serving.
8. **Enjoy**: Serve the air-fried bacon as desired, whether as a side dish, in sandwiches, or as part of your favorite recipes.