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Can you cook turkey bacon in air fryer? Absolutely! Learn how to cook turkey bacon in an air fryer oven as well as the truth about whether turkey bacon is healthier. Air frying turkey bacon only takes about 10 minutes and makes a protein-packed breakfast side dish. With zero net carbs per serving, it’s low carb and keto friendly, plus a good fit for pork-free diets.
So, today we’re going to cover how to cook turkey bacon in an air fryer oven. It’s another ridiculously simple one-ingredient “recipe.”
Of course, bacon (including turkey bacon) isn’t a meal by itself. It’s really more of a side, or even a condiment. So, you’ll likely be preparing some other food along with cooking turkey bacon in the air fryer.
That’s how it works for many meals though, right? You’ve got the sides; you’ve got the entrée… It can be a lot of things to remember to add to the grocery list.
And then, when you get it all home, preparing it all can feel overwhelming. Not many of us have time to prepare big multi-step meals for each and every meal.
Having some simple “no recipe” sides in your repertoire can so helpful. Make this bacon, add a couple fried eggs and some fruit. It’s almost as easy as pouring a bowl of sugary cereal, but so much better for you!
I know that not everyone loves turkey bacon. For those that do, I hope you try cooking it in the air fryer. Start your eggs in a skillet while the bacon air fries, and your turkey bacon and eggs will be done at the same time!
📋 Turkey Bacon Calories
Two strips of air fryer turkey bacon provide 90 calories, 0 grams net carbs, and 12 grams protein. Nutrition information is for the Wellshire Farms Organic Uncured Turkey Bacon and will vary depending on the brand of turkey bacon used.
⭐ Turkey Bacon in Air Fryer Oven Benefits
Why make this turkey bacon air fryer recipe? In truth, I personally prefer the taste of pork bacon. However, here are some reasons you might want to make turkey bacon instead:
- Taste: Hey, I have a family member that likes turkey bacon more than pork. We all have different preferences when it comes to taste. Whatever floats your boat!
- Fits certain religious and cultural needs: If you have religious or cultural dietary restrictions that prohibit pork, turkey bacon will be a better fit.
- Quick, easy clean up: Pork bacon can make an oily mess in the air fryer. Turkey bacon tends to be a lot less greasy, making for an easy clean up.
- Less fat and calories (maybe!): The amount of saturated fat and calories in your bacon will vary by thickness, type, and how crisp you cook it. Turkey bacon is usually a leaner option than pork bacon, but not always. If you use a turkey thigh bacon (as I’m using here) it may be higher calorie than some other bacons.
- Low carb: Most poultry bacons are low carb and keto friendly. They may also be gluten free, dairy free, and soy free. (Always check the label if you want to be certain.)
🥘 Turkey Bacon in Air Fryer Oven Ingredients
What do you need to make air fryer turkey bacon? Here’s what you need:
- Turkey bacon
Seriously, that is it. You don’t even need cooking oil spray.
I’m working off the assumption here that most people eating turkey bacon want a lower fat option. Spraying oil all over it because it is lower in fat kind of defeats the purpose!
Luckily, you don’t need extra oil to cook turkey bacon. I had no issues with it sticking to the air fryer trays. If you tend to have issues with foods sticking, mist your air fryer tray with some oil.
I used Wellshire Sugar-Free Uncured Turkey Bacon for this recipe. However, you’re welcome to use Butterball turkey bacon, Trader Joe’s turkey bacon, Oscar Mayer, Applegate, or whatever turkey bacon you like. Other poultry bacon (such as chicken bacon or chicken breakfast strips) can also be air fried.
I’ve found that many turkey bacons are about the same size and thickness, so should cook in a similar amount of time. That said, I do recommend trying to get a turkey bacon with no (or minimal) added sugar. Added sugar can impact how quickly the bacon browns or burns.
🍽 Equipment
All you need to air fry turkey bacon is an air fryer. Turkey bacon is too thin to check with a meat thermometer.
I used a 10-Quart Kalorik Digital Air Fryer Oven for this recipe. You may need to adjust the cooking times slightly depending on the air fryer you use. The Ninja Foodi, Instant Vortex, Philips, Pampered Chef, Cuisinart, Actifry, Nuwave, Cosori, Power Air Fryer, etc. should all be able to air fry turkey bacon.
🔪 How to Cook Turkey Bacon in Air Fryer Oven
Let’s learn how to make air fryer turkey bacon! Basically, you want to put the bacon strips in a single layer on an air fryer tray. I was able to fit 4 strips of bacon on an air fryer oven tray.
If you have a small air fryer basket, you might have to cut the strips of bacon in half to get them to fit. I only cooked one tray of bacon at a time.
️⏲️ Cooking Time and Temperature
How long to air fry turkey bacon? Air fry for a total of 10 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit (use the top rack of an air fryer oven). Flip it halfway through cooking time.
375F worked just right where the edges of the bacon didn’t burn and the bacon didn’t get too dry.
If you like crispier bacon, you’re welcome to cook it a little longer. However, cooking turkey bacon too long to get crispy can really dry it out.
I also thought the turkey bacon dried out too much when I tested cooking it in a preheated air fryer. IMVHO, you should save yourself a little time and skip the preheating.
🌡️ Turkey Bacon Leftovers
Leftover turkey bacon can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. You can reheat it in the microwave for 10 seconds per strip. You could also reheat turkey bacon in an air fryer set to 350F for 2-3 minutes.
🥓 How to Use Turkey Bacon
There is so much you can do with air fried turkey bacon! One of the ways to serve turkey bacon is with some fluffy Greek yogurt blueberry pancakes, eggs and fruit for breakfast. You could also make BLTs, or throw a few slices of turkey bacon on top of air fryer burgers.
Alternatively, crumble up your air fryer turkey bacon and use it on one of these recipes:
- Air Fryer Potato Skins
- Keto Loaded Air Fryer Radishes
- Best Cobb Salad
- New England Shrimp Chowder
Turkey bacon can also be used to wrap asparagus, shrimp, and scallops. It can be made into turkey bacon jerky or use it in your favorite jalapeno poppers recipe. Feel free to experiment with it in all of your favorite pork bacon recipes!
FAQs
Does turkey bacon turn crispy?
You can make crispy turkey bacon by cooking it longer in the air fryer. I don’t prefer extremely crisp turkey bacon because I find it to be too dry.
How do you know when turkey bacon is cooked?
According to the USDA, precooked bacon can be safely eaten from the package. Raw or partially cooked turkey bacon (such as Applegate turkey bacon) should reach a safe temperature if cooked crisp. Cured meat (such as bacon) can stay pink even when cooked to a safe internal temperature.
How to make turkey bacon in oven?
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook the turkey bacon on a shallow baking sheet for 15-20 minutes until crisped up to your liking.
Is turkey bacon keto?
If you use a turkey bacon that is free of added sugar (which I recommend anyway), it should be keto. Check the net carbs of the brand of turkey bacon you are using to make sure it is low carb. The carb count of a turkey bacon with no sugar should be 0 grams.
Is turkey bacon better for you than regular bacon?
Sometimes turkey bacon is lower in calories and saturated fat than pork bacon. However, turkey bacon is a more highly processed product than pork bacon. Pork bacon is made from whole slices of pork belly. Turkey bacon is made from turkey that was ground and pressed into bacon shapes, typically with preservatives added.
What’s the difference between cured and uncured bacon?
“Uncured bacon” is a bit of a marketing gimmick, because uncured bacon is cured with nitrite derived from vegetables (usually celery or beets). A truly uncured bacon would actually be fresh pork belly.
👩🏻🍳 Other Turkey Recipes
Looking for more recipes using turkey? If you’re looking to eat more poultry and cut back on red meat, here are some other recipes you may like:
- Air Fryer Turkey Burgers
- Ground Turkey Jerky Recipe (No Dehydrator Needed!)
- Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs
- Turkey Salad without Mayo
Watch How to Make It!
Turkey Bacon in Air Fryer Oven (Recipe and Calories)
Ingredients
- 4 strips turkey bacon (preferably sugar-free; I use this one)
- eggs, fruit, etc. (optional items to complete the meal)
Instructions
- Put the turkey bacon in a single layer on an air fryer tray. I was able to fit 4 strips on a tray. If you have a smaller air fryer, you may need to cut the strips in half so they will fit.
- If you have an air fryer oven, put the rack in the top position. Air fry for 10 minutes at 375°F (190°C), flipping halfway through cooking time. Feel free to add a few more minutes of cooking time if you prefer crispier bacon.
- Serve your turkey bacon with eggs, fruit, or whatever you'd like!
Equipment
Notes
💭 Expert Tips from Dietitian Summer Yule
This is a level 1 recipe (may help support fat loss). Turkey bacon is an ultra-processed food but it’s also a lean protein. It’s not the best choice for those on low-sodium diets. However, turkey bacon can fit well in many low calorie and low carb meal plans. The packaging for the turkey bacon I purchased lists one piece of bacon as a serving. Realistically, I know most of us enjoy double or triple this amount (maybe more). The nutrition information below is for two strips of bacon. If you want a light but satisfying meal, I’d consider what your whole meal will look like. I like to have eggs (for more protein) and fruit (for fiber and volume) with bacon. Have berries for the fruit if you want a low carb meal. Instead of the fruit, you could make scrambled eggs or an omelet with lots of non-starchy veggies. Add the turkey bacon on the side for a protein-packed meal that should leave you full until lunch. Nutrition information is for two strips of Wellshire Farms Organic Uncured Turkey Bacon. Nutrition information will vary depending on the brand of turkey bacon you use.
nutrition info disclaimer
All recipes on this website may or may not be appropriate for you, depending on your medical needs and personal preferences. Consult with a registered dietitian or your physician if you need help determining the dietary pattern that may be best for you.
The nutrition information is an estimate provided as a courtesy. It will differ depending on the specific brands and ingredients that you use. Calorie information on food labels may be inaccurate, so please don’t sweat the numbers too much.
“To taste” means to your preferences, which may have to be visual to follow food safety rules. Please don’t eat undercooked food x
Nutrition
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Hello! I’m Summer, a registered dietitian and home chef who loves to cook, eat, and create recipes for you! Every recipe on this site has been tested by me to help ensure your success in the kitchen. All eaters are welcome here 🙂