There’s nothing quite like the smell and sizzle of bacon, is there? It’s a breakfast staple, a sandwich superstar, and just plain delicious. But let’s be honest, cooking bacon can be a greasy, splattering mess on the stovetop. That’s where your trusty air fryer swoops in to save the day! Air frying bacon delivers that coveted crispiness with far less fuss and cleanup.
But to truly unlock the full potential of your appliance and make the best air fryer for bacon experience even better, you might need a little help from some clever accessories. These tools aren’t just gadgets; they’re game-changers that help with even cooking, grease management, and making cleanup a breeze. We’ve rounded up the top 5 must-have air fryer accessories that will transform your bacon game. Get ready for perfectly crispy strips every single time!
Product Reviews: The Best Air Fryer Accessories for Bacon
Silicone Air Fryer 7.1-Inch Bacon Silicone Baking Pan
If you’re tired of bacon strips sticking to the bottom of your air fryer basket or swimming in grease, this silicone pan is a true revelation. Its clever design lifts the bacon, allowing hot air to circulate all around each strip for optimal crispness, while the channels neatly drain away excess fat. It’s like a dedicated spa treatment for your bacon, ensuring it cooks evenly and doesn’t get soggy. Plus, being made of non-stick silicone means it’s super easy to get your cooked bacon out and clean up afterwards.
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Key Features:
- Non-Stick Silicone Material: Odorless, heat-resistant, and non-stick for safe and reliable use.
- Even Cooking Design: Unique rack allows heat circulation for perfectly crispy, evenly cooked bacon.
- Large Capacity: Holds up to 9 strips of bacon, ideal for family meals or batch cooking.
- Versatile Use: Suitable for home, office, restaurant, and hotel kitchens for quick meal prep.
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Pros:
- Excellent for grease drainage, leading to crispier bacon.
- Non-stick surface makes food release and cleanup incredibly easy.
- Reusable and durable silicone material.
- Good capacity for multiple bacon strips at once.
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Cons:
- May not fit all air fryer sizes, so check dimensions.
- Might require preheating with the pan inside for best results.
User Impressions: Customers love how well this pan drains grease, leading to less smoke and crispier bacon. Many highlight the simple cleanup as a major win, making air fryer bacon even more appealing. It’s often praised as a perfect solution for perfectly cooked bacon without the mess.
3-Layer Stackable Air Fryer Rack for Dual Air Fryers
For those with larger or dual-basket air fryers, this 3-layer stackable rack is an absolute lifesaver. Imagine being able to cook more bacon at once without overcrowding or having strips touching each other – that’s what this rack offers. Made from high-quality food-grade stainless steel, it’s designed to be durable and rust-resistant. Beyond just bacon, its versatile design makes it great for dehydrating fruits or cooking multiple types of food simultaneously, truly maximizing your air fryer’s capacity.
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Key Features:
- Perfect for Dual Air Fryers: Specifically designed for models like Ninja Foodi AF300UK/AF400UK, Salter, Instant Vortex Plus Dual, etc. (19cm13cm9cm).
- High-Quality Material: Made from food-grade 304 stainless steel, ensuring safety, durability, and rust prevention.
- 3-Layer Stackable Design: Increases air fryer capacity, allowing more food to be cooked simultaneously without touching.
- Stackable with Side Design: No installation needed, easy to use, and side surrounds prevent food from dropping.
- Wide Use: Can be used for baking/cooking various foods like steaks, chicken, fish, bacon, vegetables, and also as a dehydrator stand.
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Pros:
- Significantly increases cooking capacity, great for families.
- Durable and food-grade stainless steel construction.
- Versatile for multiple types of cooking, including dehydrating.
- Easy to use and clean.
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Cons:
- Primarily designed for specific dual-basket air fryer models.
- May reduce airflow slightly if overloaded.
User Impressions: Users rave about the increased capacity this rack provides, especially for larger families or meal prepping. The quality of the stainless steel is frequently mentioned, and many appreciate its versatility for cooking different items at once, making it a valuable addition to their air fryer accessories.
8-Inch Round 3-Layer Stackable Air Fryer Racks
If you have a standard round air fryer basket and want to double or even triple your cooking capacity, these 8-inch stackable racks are a brilliant choice. Crafted from food-grade 304 stainless steel, they’re built to last and completely safe for your food. The beauty of this set is its modularity – you can use one, two, or all three racks depending on how much food you’re cooking. This is incredibly helpful when you’re cooking a big batch of bacon or want to cook bacon alongside other breakfast items without them touching.
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Key Features:
- 3 Layer Stackable Design: Removable racks can be used individually or stacked to maximize air fryer space.
- 304 Food Grade Stainless Steel: Rustproof, heat-resistant, safe, and durable for long-term use.
- Dehydrator Compatible: Can also function as a dehydrator basket for fruits, veggies, and meats.
- Easy to Use & Clean: Simple to set up, easy to clean by hand or in the dishwasher.
- Wide Compatibility: Fits most standard air fryers (4.2Qt, 5.3Qt, 5.5Qt, 5.8Qt, 6.8Qt+), pressure cookers, and ovens.
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Pros:
- Great for maximizing space and cooking more food simultaneously.
- High-quality, durable, and safe stainless steel.
- Easy to clean and dishwasher safe.
- Wide compatibility with various air fryer brands and sizes.
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Cons:
- Can be a bit tricky to load/unload hot racks.
- Bacon might still need to be flipped for even crisping on all layers.
User Impressions: Customers love the versatility and space-saving aspect of these racks. They often highlight the robust stainless steel construction and how easy they are to clean. It’s a popular choice for those looking to cook multiple items or larger quantities without needing a bigger appliance.
8.5-Inch Square Air Fryer Parchment Paper Liners (200 Pcs)
While not a rack or pan, these air fryer parchment paper liners are an absolute lifesaver for making cleanup a breeze, especially when cooking greasy items like bacon. Made from unbleached natural wood pulp with a food-grade silicone coating, they’re healthy, non-stick, and heat-resistant. The pre-cut, perforated design ensures even air circulation, so your bacon still gets perfectly crispy without burning. The best part? No more scrubbing sticky, greasy air fryer baskets – just toss the liner and enjoy your mess-free meal!
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Key Features:
- Healthy and Reliable: Made from 100% unbleached natural food-grade wood pulp with strict quality standards.
- 8.5 Inch Pre-Cut Size: Fits 8.5 to 9.5 inch square air fryers/cake pans, and round/oval air fryers (10.3 to 11.2 inches diagonal).
- Non-Stick and Non-Dye: Food-grade silicone coating prevents food sticking and keeps original taste/look.
- Rest from Cleaning: Waterproof and greaseproof, prevents residues and oil stains, keeping your air fryer pot clean.
- Unique Design & Heat Resistance: Perforated for even steam circulation, heat resistant up to 450℉ (232℃).
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Pros:
- Eliminates messy cleanup, a huge time-saver.
- Non-stick surface ensures easy food removal.
- Perforated design allows for proper air circulation and crispy results.
- Healthy and food-grade material.
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Cons:
- Single-use, which creates more waste.
- Can sometimes flap around if not weighted down by food, especially during preheating.
User Impressions: These liners are universally praised for making cleanup virtually nonexistent. Users love the convenience and how well they prevent grease from getting into the air fryer basket. Many consider them an essential accessory for cooking anything greasy, like the best air fryer for bacon recipe you’re aiming for.
Csafyrt Reusable Bacon Rack for Oven & Air Fryer
Similar to the first product on our list, this Csafyrt bacon rack is another fantastic silicone option designed to make your bacon experience better. Its unique ridged design lifts bacon out of its rendered fat, promoting uniform heat distribution for that ideal crispiness. What sets this one apart is its emphasis on reusability and practical design across multiple appliances. Whether you’re using it in your air fryer or traditional oven, it promises easy food release and hassle-free cleaning, making it a versatile kitchen workhorse.
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Key Features:
- Reusable and Practical: Multi-use tray can be reused, reducing waste, versatile for air fryers, ovens, and other appliances.
- Versatile Use: Specifically designed to fit cookers and air fryer ovens for convenient bacon preparation.
- Non-Stick Silicone Material: Ensures easy food release and effortless cleaning; withstands high temperatures.
- Uniform Heat Distribution: Unique design promotes even heat circulation for perfectly crispy, evenly cooked bacon.
- Easy to Use and Clean: Simple setup, no assembly needed, non-stick surface allows for quick cleaning.
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Pros:
- Excellent for draining fat, resulting in healthier, crispier bacon.
- Reusable and eco-friendly compared to single-use liners.
- Non-stick surface simplifies food removal and cleaning.
- Can be used in both air fryers and traditional ovens.
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Cons:
- May require a specific air fryer basket size to fit properly.
- Less rigid than metal racks, so care needed when handling.
User Impressions: Users appreciate the dual-purpose nature of this rack, using it in both air fryers and ovens. The non-stick quality and ease of cleaning are frequently highlighted as major benefits. It’s considered a valuable tool for achieving crispy bacon with minimal mess.
Making the Best Air Fryer for Bacon Experience Even Better
Cooking bacon in an air fryer is already a fantastic upgrade from stovetop frying. It’s less messy, often results in crispier bacon, and can even be a bit healthier as the fat drips away. But by adding one or more of these specialized accessories, you elevate that experience to a whole new level. Whether you need to cook more at once, ensure perfect crispness, or simply dread the cleanup, there’s an accessory here that can help. Happy bacon making!
FAQ Section
Q1: Why should I cook bacon in an air fryer instead of a pan?
A1: Air frying bacon offers several advantages: significantly less mess (no splattering grease!), more even cooking resulting in consistently crispy strips, and often a healthier outcome as excess fat drips away into the basket below. It’s a hands-off, “set it and forget it” method.
Q2: How do air fryer accessories specifically help when cooking bacon?
A2: Accessories like silicone pans or metal racks elevate the bacon, allowing hot air to circulate completely around each strip for maximum crispiness. They also provide channels for grease to drain away, preventing soggy bacon. Stackable racks let you cook more bacon at once without overcrowding, while parchment liners make cleanup incredibly easy.
Q3: Can I put raw bacon directly into my air fryer basket without accessories?
A3: Yes, you absolutely can! Many people cook bacon directly in their air fryer basket. However, using an accessory designed for bacon can enhance the experience by further improving crispiness, managing grease more effectively, and making cleanup simpler.
Q4: What’s the best way to clean bacon grease from my air fryer after cooking?
A4: If you used a liner, cleanup is minimal – just toss the liner! If not, wait for the air fryer basket to cool. Then, wipe away excess grease with a paper towel. Most air fryer baskets and inserts are dishwasher safe, or you can wash them by hand with warm, soapy water. Soaking stubborn spots can help.
Q5: What’s the ideal temperature and time for cooking bacon in an air fryer?
A5: While it can vary slightly by air fryer model and bacon thickness, a good starting point is 350-375°F (175-190°C) for 8-12 minutes. Thinner bacon might cook faster, thicker bacon might take longer. Always check for your desired crispiness and flip halfway through for best results.
Q6: Are silicone air fryer accessories safe for high temperatures?
A6: Yes, good quality, food-grade silicone accessories are designed to withstand high cooking temperatures, typically up to 450°F (232°C). Always ensure the product specifies “food-grade” and adheres to safety standards to guarantee safe use in your air fryer.
Q7: Do I really need parchment paper liners for bacon, or is it just for convenience?
A7: You don’t strictly need them for cooking results (your bacon will still get crispy without them), but they are a huge convenience for cleanup. They catch all the grease and prevent it from baking onto your air fryer basket, saving you scrubbing time.
Q8: Can these bacon-specific air fryer accessories be used for other foods?
A8: Absolutely! Many of these accessories are quite versatile. Silicone liners can be used for chicken wings, vegetables, or even pastries to prevent sticking and aid cleanup. Stackable racks are perfect for cooking multiple items, dehydrating fruits, or making jerky. They are multi-purpose kitchen tools!