Crispy Instant Pot Bacon

Unlock the secret to perfectly crispy bacon every time with your Instant Pot! Forget greasy splatters and overcrowded stovetops. Learning how to make Instant Pot Bacon is a game-changer for busy mornings, holiday feasts, or anytime you crave that irresistible crunch without the usual mess. The Instant Pot’s sauté mode transforms your multi-cooker into an incredibly efficient frying pan, allowing you to achieve beautifully cooked bacon with minimal fuss. Its deep sides act as a natural splash guard, keeping your kitchen cleaner and making the whole process incredibly simple and enjoyable. Get ready to ditch the traditional frying pan and embrace a smarter, cleaner way to prepare one of breakfast’s most beloved staples.

While the Instant Pot is renowned for its pressure cooking capabilities, its often-underestimated sauté function is an absolute gem, especially for tasks like frying crispy bacon or browning ground meat for recipes such as Instant Pot Turkey Tacos or a hearty Instant Pot No Bean Chili. This versatile feature allows you to achieve a beautiful sear and perfect crispness, replicating the results of a traditional frying pan without tying up valuable stove space.

This delectable Instant Pot Bacon isn’t just for standalone enjoyment. It makes a stellar companion to a variety of breakfast and brunch delights. Imagine pairing its savory crunch with fluffy Sourdough French Toast, or serving it alongside perfectly cooked Over Hard Eggs for a classic morning meal. For a more substantial start to your day, build your own epic breakfast sandwiches using my Homemade Drop Biscuits and a few slices of this perfectly cooked bacon. Or, take your brunch game to the next level by incorporating it into savory treats like my Bacon Cheddar Muffins. The possibilities are truly endless when you have a batch of this fantastic bacon on hand!

If you’re exploring other bacon cooking methods, don’t miss my guide on How to Cook Turkey Bacon in the Oven, offering another convenient way to prepare a breakfast favorite.

Can You Cook Bacon in an Instant Pot?

Absolutely, you can! This might come as a surprise to some, but the Instant Pot’s “Sauté” mode is exceptionally well-suited for cooking bacon to crispy perfection. It effectively transforms your electric pressure cooker into a high-powered, deep-sided frying pan. The key here is to understand that you are using the sauté function, which simply heats the bottom of the pot, similar to a stove burner. It’s crucial not to use any of the pressure cooking functions for bacon, as that would result in a very different, undesirable texture. The sauté mode provides consistent heat, allowing the bacon to cook evenly and render its fat beautifully, leading to that coveted crispiness without the need for constant monitoring over a traditional stovetop burner.

Why Instant Pot Bacon is a Must-Try

Discovering the convenience of making bacon in your Instant Pot is a true culinary revelation. Here’s why this method will quickly become your favorite:

• Unmatched Crispiness and Flavor: Instant Pot bacon consistently turns out incredibly crispy and utterly addicting. The even heat distribution and ability to control the temperature allow for a perfect render of the fat, resulting in that golden-brown, satisfying crunch every time.
• Frees Up Stove Space: This is a lifesaver, especially when you’re preparing a large breakfast or a multi-course meal. By using your Instant Pot, you free up valuable burners on your stovetop for other dishes like eggs, pancakes, or hash browns, making meal prep much more efficient.
• Significantly Less Mess: One of the biggest advantages is the dramatic reduction in splattering. The deep walls of the Instant Pot naturally contain bacon grease, preventing it from coating your countertops, backsplash, and stovetop. This means less time spent scrubbing and more time enjoying your meal.
• Perfectly Sized Pieces for Versatility: Cutting bacon slices in half before cooking not only helps them fit better in the Instant Pot’s cooking surface but also yields ideal, bite-sized pieces. These are perfect for breakfast sandwiches, garnishing salads, adding to baked potatoes, or simply enjoying on their own.
• Low Carb/Keto Friendly: For those following a low-carb or ketogenic diet, crispy bacon is a staple. This cooking method ensures a perfectly rendered, delicious batch that fits seamlessly into your dietary preferences.
• Consistent Results: Unlike varying stovetop burners, the Instant Pot’s sauté mode provides a controlled heating environment, leading to more consistent and predictable results with each batch of bacon you cook.

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

• Bacon: While I personally prefer using thick-cut applewood smoked bacon for its rich flavor and satisfying texture, any type of bacon will yield delicious results in the Instant Pot. Feel free to use thin-cut, regular cut, or even specialty flavors like peppered bacon. The thickness of the bacon will primarily affect cooking time; thinner slices will cook faster, and thick-cut varieties may take a few extra minutes to crisp up. You do not strictly have to cut the bacon in half, but doing so allows more strips to fit comfortably in a single layer in the Instant Pot, promoting more even cooking and crisping. It also creates ideal-sized pieces for many applications.
• Quantity: The recipe card suggests 4 pieces cut in half, yielding 8 smaller pieces, which fits well in an 8-quart Instant Pot without overcrowding. Adjust the quantity based on your Instant Pot’s size and your desired serving amount, ensuring you always cook in a single layer.

For a complete list of ingredients and their precise amounts, please refer to the recipe card below.

Helpful Equipment & Tools

To make Instant Pot bacon a seamless experience, a few key tools will come in handy:

• Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker: The star of our show! Any Instant Pot model with a “Sauté” function will work perfectly. The 6-quart or 8-quart sizes are generally ideal for cooking a decent batch of bacon.
• 2 Pack Black Kitchen Tongs: Essential for safely handling hot bacon strips in the deep Instant Pot. Tongs allow you to easily flip and remove bacon without burning your fingers.
• KitchenAid All-Purpose Shears: While optional, kitchen shears are incredibly useful for neatly cutting bacon strips in half. This ensures uniform pieces that fit perfectly and cook evenly in the Instant Pot. A sharp knife can also do the trick.
• Paper Towels: Crucial for draining excess grease from the cooked bacon, ensuring maximum crispiness.

How to Make Perfect Instant Pot Bacon

Quick Overview

• Activate “Sauté” mode.
• Arrange bacon in a single layer.
• Fry until golden and crispy, flipping as needed.
• Drain on paper towels and serve hot.

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1: Begin by selecting the “Sauté” mode on your Instant Pot. The default setting is usually “Normal.” For bacon, we want a slightly lower temperature to allow the fat to render slowly and the bacon to crisp without burning. Press the “Sauté” button again (or cycle through settings) to change the temperature level to “Less.” This provides more gentle, controlled heat, ideal for perfectly cooked bacon.

Step 2: Carefully place the bacon slices into the Instant Pot in a single layer. It’s important to avoid overcrowding the pot, as this can steam the bacon rather than fry it, preventing it from getting crispy. An 8-quart Instant Pot typically accommodates about 8 bacon halves (from 4 full strips of bacon). If you’re using a smaller Instant Pot or cooking more bacon, work in batches to ensure each piece has enough space.

Step 3: Fry the bacon for approximately 4-5 minutes on the first side. During this time, use your tongs to move the bacon around occasionally. This prevents sticking and promotes even browning. Keep a close eye on the bacon; once it reaches your desired color and crispness on the bottom, it’s time to flip.

Step 4: Flip the bacon strips using tongs and continue to fry for another 4-5 minutes, or until the second side is equally crispy and golden brown. Cooking times may vary slightly depending on the thickness of your bacon and your Instant Pot model. Look for a deep, rich brown color and a firm texture.

Step 5: Once cooked to your liking, carefully remove the crispy bacon from the Instant Pot using tongs. Transfer the bacon to a plate lined with several layers of paper towels. This step is crucial for soaking up any excess grease, ensuring the bacon remains perfectly crisp. Serve your freshly cooked Instant Pot bacon hot and enjoy!

Expert Tips for Instant Pot Bacon Success

Achieving perfectly crispy Instant Pot bacon is easy, but a few expert tips can elevate your results and make the process even smoother:

• Do Not Overcrowd the Pot: This is perhaps the most critical rule for crispy bacon. While bacon can slightly touch as it renders and shrinks, avoid stacking pieces. Overcrowding lowers the pot’s temperature and causes the bacon to steam rather than fry, leading to soggy results. If you have a large amount of bacon, cook it in smaller batches.
• Cook Bacon Low and Slow: Using the “Less” sauté setting is key. This lower temperature allows the bacon fat to render slowly and thoroughly, which is essential for achieving optimal crispiness without burning the meat. Patience pays off here!
• Keep a Watchful Eye on the Bacon: Even with consistent heat, bacon can cook quickly. Stay near your Instant Pot and watch the bacon closely as it cooks. You may need to occasionally move the pieces around with your tongs to prevent them from sticking to the bottom of the pot and to ensure even browning.
• Use a Paper Towel-Lined Plate: Immediately after cooking, transfer the hot bacon to a plate generously lined with paper towels. This step is vital for absorbing any excess grease, which helps the bacon maintain its crispiness as it cools slightly.
• Safely Save Bacon Grease: Don’t discard that flavorful liquid gold! Carefully pour the rendered bacon grease into a heat-safe container (like a glass jar or a grease keeper) through a fine-mesh sieve to strain out any bits of bacon. Refrigerate the strained grease; it’s an incredible flavor booster. Use it in place of oil or butter for cooking savory dishes like scrambled eggs, frying vegetables, sautéing greens, or making cornbread.
• Pre-Cut for Convenience: Cutting the bacon strips in half before cooking not only helps them fit better in the Instant Pot but also creates ideal-sized pieces for breakfast sandwiches, salads, or crumbling into bacon bits.
• Start with Room Temperature Bacon (Optional): While not strictly necessary, allowing your bacon to come to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before cooking can promote more even cooking and rendering.

Make Ahead, Storage & Reheating Instant Pot Bacon

Instant Pot bacon is fantastic for meal prep, allowing you to have crispy bacon ready to go whenever a craving strikes.

• Refrigerator: Cooked bacon can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. Lay the bacon on a fresh sheet of paper towel inside the container to absorb any residual moisture, which helps preserve crispiness.
• Freezer: For longer storage, cooked bacon freezes beautifully. Place cooled, crispy bacon in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid (about 1-2 hours). Once frozen, transfer the bacon to an airtight freezer-safe bag or container. It will keep well in the freezer for 2-3 months.
• Reheating:
  • Microwave: For a quick reheat, place a few slices on a paper towel-lined plate and microwave for 15-30 seconds, or until warm. It may lose some crispness.
  • Oven/Air Fryer: To restore maximum crispiness, reheat bacon in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-10 minutes, or in an air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes, until hot and re-crisped.
  • Instant Pot Sauté: You can even re-crisp bacon in the Instant Pot on “Sauté” (Less) for a minute or two, being careful not to burn it.

Variations and Serving Suggestions

• Homemade Bacon Bits: One of my favorite variations is to transform freshly cooked Instant Pot bacon into homemade bacon bits. Simply crumble all the cooked bacon pieces using a knife or your hands (once cooled slightly). For finer bits, a food processor works wonders. Store these in an airtight container in the fridge, and you’ll have a versatile topping ready for salads, baked potatoes, scrambled eggs, deviled eggs, or as a garnish for soups and stews.
• Sweet & Spicy Bacon: Before cooking, sprinkle bacon with a pinch of brown sugar and a dash of cayenne pepper for a delightful sweet and spicy kick.
• Herbed Bacon: Experiment with flavors by sprinkling a small amount of dried herbs like rosemary or thyme onto the bacon before frying for an aromatic twist.
• Serving Beyond Breakfast: While perfect with eggs and toast, don’t limit your Instant Pot bacon to breakfast. Use it to elevate a classic BLT sandwich, crumble it over a gourmet burger, add it to pasta dishes, or incorporate it into a savory quiche or frittata.

FAQs About Instant Pot Bacon

Related Recipes

Looking for more delicious and easy Instant Pot recipes or ways to use your crispy bacon? Explore these other fantastic ideas:

Cooking bacon in the Instant Pot is not just a convenience; it’s a revelation. With less mess, perfect crispiness, and the ability to free up your stovetop, this method will change the way you prepare bacon forever. Whether it’s for a quick weeknight breakfast, a leisurely weekend brunch, or meal prepping for the week ahead, your Instant Pot delivers flawless results every time. Give this technique a try and experience the joy of perfectly cooked bacon with minimal effort!

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Crispy Instant Pot Bacon

Brianna May

5 from 1 vote

Instant Pot Bacon is super easy to make, less messy, and great for when your stove top is full. The sides of the Instant Pot catch all of the bacon grease and prevent splattering. The sauté mode on the Instant Pot works just like a frying pan.

Cook Time:

10 minutes
minutes

Total Time:

10 minutes
minutes

Servings:

2
people

Equipment

• Instant Pot
• Tongs

Ingredients

• 
  4
  pieces
  bacon
  cut in half*

Instructions

• Select “Sauté” mode on the Instant Pot. Press the “Sauté” button again to change the temperature to “Less” (see photos above).
• Place the bacon slices in a single layer in the pot. The 8-quart Instant Pot should fit about 8 halves.
• Fry for 4-5 minutes, moving the bacon around occasionally. Flip once bacon has reached the desired color and crispness.
• Fry for another 4-5 minutes, or until the second side is equally crispy and golden brown.
• Place the cooked bacon on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess grease. Serve hot.

Did you make this recipe?
Leave a comment below!

Notes

Bacon: I used thick cut applewood bacon, but any kind will do. You do not have to cut the bacon in half, but the smaller bacon strips will fit better in the Instant Pot this way.

Refrigerator: Store cooked bacon in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days.

Do not overcrowd the pot. The bacon can be slightly touching since it shrinks in size as it cooks. Do not stack the pieces. Cook in batches if needed.

Cook bacon low and slow. This helps the fat to render slowly so that the bacon is crispy, but does not burn.

Keep an eye on the bacon. Watch the bacon as it cooks. You might need to occasionally move it around so it does not stick.

Place cooked bacon on a plate lined with a paper towel. This helps soak up any excess grease.

Save bacon grease. You can use bacon grease in place of oil or butter in savory recipes to add more flavor. I love to scramble or fry eggs in leftover grease. Be sure to refrigerate it.

Nutrition

Calories: 183kcal |
Carbohydrates: 1g |
Protein: 6g |
Fat: 17g |
Saturated Fat: 6g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g |
Monounsaturated Fat: 8g |
Trans Fat: 1g |
Cholesterol: 29mg |
Sodium: 291mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.