How To Stop Bacon Curling In Air Fryer [Easy Fixes]

Everyone loves starting the day with a bacon sandwich, and if you’re anything like me, you’ll love just how quick and convenient it is to use an air fryer to get that perfectly crisped bacon every time. 

It’s quick, it’s easy, and it’s much less messy than using a frying pan. 

But how do you stop bacon from curling in the air fryer?

It’s a common problem, and it’s one that I experienced myself when I was first getting to grips with my new kitchen gadget, but with a lot of trial and error, I discovered some easy hacks that work every single time. 

Let’s dive straight in… 

(You might also want to take a look at my guide to how to tell when bacon is done). 

Techniques to Prevent Bacon Curling in an Air Fryer

Firstly, cut your bacon strips in half to make them shorter, which reduces the chance of curling during cooking.

Next, place the bacon singly over the bottom of the frying basket without overlapping them.

This ensures that the heat is distributed evenly along the edges and throughout the bacon.

Using a lower temperature setting while cooking your bacon in an air fryer can also help prevent curling.

A slower cooking process at a lower heat gives the meat enough time to cook evenly, reducing the likeliness of uneven shrinkage, which leads to curling.

In addition to these techniques, consider using a bacon press – a heavy object designed to hold bacon flat while cooking.

Place the bacon press directly on the bacon strips after you put them in the air fryer basket.

If you don’t have a bacon press, you can use a heat-resistant bowl to press down the bacon to prevent curling.

Flipping the bacon is another helpful technique to keep your bacon from curling.

Flip the bacon strips halfway through the cooking process, ensuring that both sides are evenly cooked.

This will help minimise the curling effect and keep the bacon flat.

One creative method to prevent bacon curling is introducing bread slices underneath the bacon.

Place a metal rack on top of the air fryer basket for the bacon to rest on, and place bread slices beneath it. This helps bear some of the weight and prevent the bacon from curling as it cooks.

Lastly, you can try and control the grease released during cooking, which contributes to curling.

Use a parchment-lined air fryer basket or a perforated grease-absorbing layer to collect excess grease and allow for proper air circulation for even cooking.

By following these simple tips and techniques, you can enjoy perfectly flat and evenly cooked bacon straight from your air fryer with minimal fuss!