Air Fryer Turkey Bacon (2024)

Created On: July 15, 2022&nbsp| Modified Jan 4, 2023 by Nancylynn &nbsp| This post may contain affiliate links. &nbsp| 2 Comments&nbsp| Jump to Recipe &nbsp

Making Air Fryer Turkey Bacon is so easy and quick! Enjoy some crispy turkey bacon that’s cooked to perfection in minutes – perfect for a fast and easy breakfast protein, side dish, salad topping, or to have on hand to use in your favorite recipes.

We are team bacon here at my house…everyone loves it and it’s our go-to breakfast protein. We also love having it as a snack or as a sandwich topper or even a dinner option for my picky kids. Because of this, I love making some turkey bacon in our Air Fryer. It whips up some crispy strips in no time. Since we use nitrate free turkey bacon, I am always down if my kiddos ask me to make it!

Why I love this method:

• Air Fryer clean up is a lot easier than when cooking bacon on the stove, plus it comes out extra crispy.
• Super simple to make- pop it in the Air Fryer basket while you get other stuff done.
• Turkey bacon is versatile and can go with or on so many recipes like this Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole, for one!
• Very fast- we’re talking 10 minutes or less! Perfect for busy mornings to be used with quick breakfasts.
• A healthier alternative to traditional pork bacon but still full of the flavor you love (and great for those watching their cholesterol).

Ingredients Needed for the Best Turkey Bacon in Air Fryer:

All you need for this recipe is nitrate free turkey bacon. I like using Aldi’s brand and the Applegate turkey bacon. But you can use whatever brand of turkey bacon you prefer.

How to make Turkey Bacon in the Air Fryer:

• Preheat Air Fryer to 390 F.
• Add slices of turkey bacon to your preheated air fryer basket in a single layer. I can fit 4-6 slices, depending on the brand.
• Cook bacon for 5 minutes, then flip bacon over (or just shake the strips up in the basket) and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes or until your turkey bacon reaches your desired level of crispiness. If you like crispy bacon, go for the full 5 minutes.

Helpful Tips:

• Depending on how many turkey bacon strips you have to cook, I recommend cooking in batches. My Air Fryer basket holds about six slices of turkey bacon so I have to cook in batches. Don’t overcrowd your basket and don’t overlap the turkey bacon slices, the Air Fryer needs room to circulate the hot air around the food so everything can cook evenly.
• When cooking in batches, be sure to use a paper towel to wipe out the bacon grease that will drip to the bottom of the basket and Air Fryer. You could also add a little water to the bottom to help with this. I don’t
• I always use nitrate free turkey bacon, which is uncured turkey bacon. I suggest using this kind of bacon as opposed to cured turkey bacon which has been cured with sodium nitrates which isn’t great for your health.
• Once you cook the bacon the first time, and then flip it over, start with 3 minutes and increase the cook time if needed in 1 minute increments so you don’t overcook your bacon.
• Remember that the cooking time may vary between Air Fryer models, makes, and thickness of bacon.

Is Turkey Bacon Healthy?

Compared to traditional pork bacon, turkey bacon has many healthier points to it. It has less saturated fat and has fewer calories. I recommend using cured bacon as opposed to uncured bacon.

How long should you cook turkey bacon in an air fryer?

Wondering how long to cook turkey bacon in air fryer? Well this can vary based on personal preference. I find cooking bacon for 5 minutes, flipping it and then another 3-5 minutes turns out perfect every single time. Use my tips throughout this post to see why cooking turkey bacon in the Air Fryer is the easiest way to make it!

How do you know when turkey bacon is done?

When you air fry turkey bacon, it will start to turn different shades of brown and will curl up at the edges. You will know that your air fried turkey bacon is fully cooked once all the edges are curled and the bacon is a deep shade of brown and has started to shrink in size.

It’s also important to note that what one person calls done and what another person calls done with bacon can be completely different so keep that in mind as you are cooking your turkey bacon in air fryer.

Some people like more crispy bacon, some people like more crunchy bacon, some people like chewy bacon. Knowing the type of bacon you’re aiming for will help you determine when it’s done.

How to Store Air Fryer Bacon:

Turkey bacon is best enjoyed the same day that you make it. So, I always suggest devouring or using it as soon as you can. However, if you have leftovers, you can store them for later.

I suggest letting your bacon cool completely before storing them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

To reheat your slices of bacon, pop them back in the Air Fryer for a few minutes on 300 degrees.

Is bacon approved on the 21 Day Fix?

Yes – but just the Turkey Bacon kind. Regular pork bacon is not on the 21 Day Fix Food List. Nitrate free turkey bacon is listed as a red container food and you can have 4 slices for one red. If your turkey is extra thick, you might want to consider having two slices for one red. As a guide, you are aiming for between 100 and 200 calories and 15-25 grams of protein per serving of bacon.

What to serve with the best Air Fryer turkey bacon:

Turkey bacon is a better alternative than regular bacon for those who can’t have pork but are still looking for that crispy, crunch to topping. I love prepping it for these Mason Jar Salad Recipes with Homemade Ranch or these Salads with Maple Cider Vinaigrette, or using strips of turkey bacon in BLT’s or chicken wraps, in soups like this Corn Chowder, in breakfast sandwiches using Sweet Potato Toast, or as a breakfast side dish for pancakes, french toast, or waffles.

Bacon is good on soooo many things- check out all these recipes and meal plans that use bacon!