If you’re watching calories but still crave that crisp bacon bite, swapping pork for turkey bacon is a great option. Air frying turkey bacon produces reliably crispy, delicious slices in minutes — perfect for busy mornings or quick lunches.
Why Make Turkey Bacon in the Air Fryer
An air fryer is ideal for turkey bacon because it circulates hot air to create even browning and crisp edges without excess oil. The result is a crunchy, flavorful side that pairs perfectly with eggs, pancakes, toast, or your favorite brunch items.
Turkey bacon also works great in sandwiches and salads. Try it in a turkey bacon BLT (recipe included below) or crumble it over a salad for added texture. For an easy side, serve your sandwich with air-fried frozen onion rings or fries.
Katie’s tip
If you’re in a hurry, the microwave method is an even faster alternative for turkey bacon.
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What You’ll Need
- One package turkey bacon (brands like Butterball or Applegate work well)
- Optional seasonings or a glaze (see notes)
For a turkey bacon BLT, you’ll also need:
- Tomato
- Lettuce (romaine, iceberg, or your favorite)
- Sandwich bread (sourdough, brioche, or brioche-style works nicely)
- Mayonnaise (regular or chipotle for extra heat)
Ingredient Tips and Notes
- This method works with most turkey bacon brands. If slices are very thick or thin, adjust cook time slightly.
- If you add sugar (honey, maple syrup, brown sugar) to a glaze, start with a shorter cook time to avoid burning.
- Romaine is a sturdy lettuce for sandwiches, but iceberg or leaf lettuces are fine.
- Beefsteak or large slicing tomatoes are ideal; roma tomatoes work in a pinch.
- Sourdough or brioche toast well and hold up to the sandwich fillings.
- Substitute chipotle mayo or another flavored spread for added interest.
How to Cook Turkey Bacon in the Air Fryer: Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 360°F.
- Season or glaze if desired. If using a sugary glaze, be cautious with time to prevent burning.
- Arrange turkey bacon in a single layer in the air fryer basket or tray, leaving space between slices. Trim strips to fit if needed.
- Cook at 360°F for 10 minutes total, flipping halfway through for even crisping.
- For extra crispiness, add time in 1-minute increments until you reach your preferred texture.
- Serve alongside eggs, toast, pancakes, or build into a sandwich.
Air Fryer Recipes You Can Use Turkey Bacon
Easy Air Fryer Scalloped Potatoes and Ham
Easy Air Fryer Mini Ham and Cheese Quiche with Crust
Easy Frozen Bacon Wrapped Scallops in the Air Fryer
Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts with Bacon and Maple Syrup
Recipe FAQs
Does Turkey Bacon Need to Be Flipped in the Air Fryer?
Flipping is recommended for most basket-style air fryers. Turning the slices halfway through promotes even airflow and browning. If you prefer a less crispy result, flipping is optional. Some air fryer toaster ovens with racks may not require flipping, since air circulates differently around the food.
Can I Cook Turkey Bacon in the Air Fryer?
Yes — the air fryer is an excellent tool for turkey bacon. With one flip midway, you’ll get evenly browned, crispy slices with minimal effort.
What’s the Best Time and Temperature For Air Fryer Turkey Bacon?
A solid baseline is 10 minutes at 360°F. If your air fryer lacks 360°F, 370°F is an acceptable alternative. For any bacon glazed with sugar or syrup, reduce the initial cook time to avoid burning and monitor closely.
Adjustments may be needed for very thin or thick slices.
Recipe Pro Tips For the Best Turkey Bacon
- Air fryer capacity varies. For example, a dual-basket unit might hold three strips per basket — cook in batches if necessary.
- Using a rack or trivet helps keep lightweight turkey bacon from flying around and curling during cooking, which improves evenness and texture.
Storage and Reheating Tips
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 4–5 days.
- Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–4 minutes, flipping halfway, until heated and recrisped.
Other Air Fryer Breakfast Foods
How to Cook Frozen French Toast Sticks in the Air Fryer
Easy 6 Ingredient Air Fryer French Toast Casserole
Hormel Canned Corned Beef Hash in the Air Fryer w/ Eggs!
How to Toast a Bagel in the Air Fryer: Easy Breakfast!
Final Thoughts
Air frying turkey bacon is fast and reliable, delivering crisp texture with less fat than pork bacon. It’s quicker than baking and gives a better texture than stovetop pan-frying in many cases.
Turkey bacon still releases grease during cooking, so keep an eye on your air fryer and be prepared to manage any smoke if it occurs.
Katie’s tip
If you enjoy smoky flavors, try other turkey recipes prepared in the air fryer for a delicious alternative.
Air fryer turkey bacon makes a tasty breakfast side or the star of a lighter BLT. It’s a simple swap when you want fewer calories without giving up that satisfying bacon crunch.
Air Fryer Turkey Bacon BLT Sandwich
Equipment
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Air Fryer
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Measuring spoons (1 tsp and 1 tbsp)
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Pastry brush (or similar)
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Serrated knife
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Cutting board
Ingredients
- 4 slices Turkey bacon (such as Butterball)
- 1 tbsp Honey
- 1 tsp Hot sauce (or sriracha)
- 2 slices Tomato
- 2 leaves Romaine lettuce
- 2 slices Sandwich bread, toasted (Brioche or potato preferred)
- 1 tbsp Mayonnaise (chipotle or regular)
Instructions
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Preheat your air fryer to 360°F.
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Mix honey and hot sauce in a small bowl.
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Brush both sides of the turkey bacon with the honey-hot sauce mixture.
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Place bacon strips in a single layer in the air fryer, trimming to fit if necessary.
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Cook at 360°F for 5 minutes, flipping halfway. Add 1-minute increments if needed for more crispness.
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While bacon cooks, slice tomato and prepare lettuce.
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Spread mayo on one slice of toasted bread.
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Layer lettuce, cooked bacon, and tomato on the bread, then top with the second slice.
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Slice and serve. Pair with chips, fries, or onion rings if you like.
Notes
- You can toast the bread ahead of time using a toaster, broiler, or air fryer at 400°F for about 5 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Adjust the amount of turkey bacon to suit your preference—this sandwich is adaptable.
- Because honey caramelizes quickly, this recipe cooks faster than plain turkey bacon.
- If you have a rack or trivet, use it to prevent bacon from moving and curling in the air fryer.
- Swap maple syrup or brown sugar for honey if you prefer.
- Omit the hot sauce if you don’t want any spice; the sandwich isn’t overly hot to begin with.
- Nutrition facts vary by brand and ingredient choices; consider values a guideline.
Nutrition
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed. Actual values may vary depending on brand and ingredient choices.
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