Grim reason why you should never cook bacon in an air fryer

The humble air fryer has become a staple in households across the UK over the past few years after being dubbed a 'healthier' option than an oven or grill, using hot air instead of oil to cook your food.

With them also saving us time, money and a whole lot of faff, investing in the kitchen gadget is a bit of a no-brainer.

But, while social media is chock full of 'air fryer hacks' and the latest deals on the piece of kit, there are some common mistakes home chefs make, such as whacking a few rashers of bacon in one.

It's a common misconception that the air fryer is the perfect way to cook bacon. After all, you won't need to use lashings of oil to get it nice a crispy, making it healthier option, right?

Wrong.

Dietitian Brenda Peralta has warned that due to the high fat content, it’s not a good idea whatsoever.

Brenda told Huffington Post: "It is a fatty food, and when it is cooked in an air fryer, the fat can drip down and cause smoke or splatter.

"This can make the bacon difficult to cook evenly, and it can also produce a lot of smoke and odours."

It's probably worth whacking the hob on instead (Getty Stock Image)

Of course, more troublesome than the scent of bacon filling the air is the idea that it’s cooked unevenly - running the risk of food poisoning.

Apparently, it’s not always aesthetically pleasing either.

She continued: "A bacon strip is a small and delicate food, and it can be difficult to flip or remove from the air fryer basket without breaking it."

So if you’re cooking up a bacon-storm for some friends, that’s probably another reason to avoid the beloved air fryer.

Brenda added: "The air fryer basket may not be large enough to accommodate a large quantity of bacon.

There's a risk bacon will cook unevenly (Getty Stock Image)

"This can make it difficult to cook a lot of bacon at once, which can be inconvenient if you are cooking for a group."

So, bacon is probably one to avoid when it comes to the wonderful world of air fryers.

We can now add that to the list, including the items forbidden by TikToker Nicole Jacques.

Nicole explained that the three foods to avoid at all costs are cheese, cake donuts and rice.

On the bright side, dietitian Brenda did share some foods that are a match made in heaven with air fryers, which includes Brussels sprouts, roast potatoes, falafel, and breaded chicken.

With all that in mind, we still think the air offers pretty good bang for your buck, but will definitely stick to the hob when it comes to a fry-up.