Cook Perfect Crispy Bacon in Your Instant Pot: Quick, Easy & Mess-Free!

Imagine perfectly crispy bacon, cooked to perfection in just 5 minutes, with virtually no messy grease splatters to clean up. It might sound too good to be true, but it’s entirely possible with your Instant Pot! This revolutionary method transforms the way you prepare one of America’s favorite breakfast foods, making it incredibly quick, exceptionally easy, and astonishingly mess-free. All you’ll need is your bacon, a pair of tongs, and your trusty Instant Pot to achieve that ideal crunch every single time. Say goodbye to grease-splattered stovetops and unevenly cooked strips – your Instant Pot is about to become your new favorite bacon-cooking appliance!

Why This Instant Pot Bacon Method is a Game-Changer

Cooking bacon can often be a chore, but this Instant Pot technique addresses all the common frustrations, offering a superior cooking experience and delicious results. Here’s why you’ll love it:

• Significantly Less Mess: One of the most common complaints about cooking bacon is the grease splatter that seems to get everywhere. The Instant Pot’s high sides act as an effective shield, containing the majority of the grease within the pot. This drastically reduces cleanup time and keeps your kitchen spotless, allowing you to enjoy your crispy bacon without the usual post-cooking hassle. You’ll still want to wipe down the inside of the lid and any stray splatters, but it’s a world away from cleaning an entire stovetop.
• Unbelievably Fast Cooking: Forget long preheating times or extended frying sessions. The Instant Pot cooks bacon in a mere fraction of the time compared to traditional methods like pan-frying or oven baking. By utilizing the “Sauté” function, you can achieve perfectly crispy and flavorful bacon in just 5 minutes. This makes it an ideal option for busy mornings or when you need a quick addition to any meal.
• Remarkably Simple and Foolproof: This isn’t one of those complicated recipes that require advanced culinary skills. In fact, it’s almost impossible to mess up! The process involves just a few straightforward steps: place the bacon, set the timer, and flip occasionally. The Instant Pot provides a consistent heat, ensuring even cooking and crispness, making it accessible for even the most novice cooks.
• Consistently Crispy Results: The direct heat from the Instant Pot’s sauté function, combined with regular flipping, ensures that each strip of bacon cooks evenly and crisps up beautifully. You’ll achieve that coveted shatter-crisp texture that makes bacon so irresistible, without any soggy or undercooked spots.

Essential Ingredients & Equipment for Instant Pot Bacon

You truly only need a couple of items to get started on your journey to perfectly crispy Instant Pot bacon:

Bacon: As the star of this recipe, the quality of your bacon matters! I highly recommend choosing a good quality bacon for the best flavor and texture. Look for options that are free of added sugar and antibiotics, and uncured if possible, to avoid unnecessary additives. While I personally prefer the rich flavor of regular pork bacon, this method is versatile enough to cook turkey bacon beautifully as well. Keep in mind that thinner slices will crisp up faster, while thicker cuts might require a minute or two extra to reach your desired crispness.

Instant Pot: My go-to is a 6-quart Instant Pot, which offers ample space for cooking a decent batch of bacon without overcrowding. However, any size Instant Pot will work seamlessly for this method. If you have a smaller model, you might need to cook your bacon in slightly smaller batches to ensure even cooking and optimal crispness. To prepare your Instant Pot, simply plug it in and press the “Sauté” button. The default “Normal” setting is usually perfect, but some models offer “Less” or “More” heat settings which you can experiment with to fine-tune your bacon. Next, adjust the time using the “+” and “-” symbols to set it to 5 minutes. Once the screen indicates “5 minutes” (or “On” for newer models), wait for the pot to beep, signaling that it’s preheating and ready for cooking. It typically takes a minute or two to heat up before you hear the first sizzle of bacon hitting the hot surface.

Tongs: While not strictly an “ingredient,” a good pair of kitchen tongs is absolutely essential for easily flipping the bacon and safely removing it from the hot Instant Pot. This helps ensure even cooking and prevents burns.

Chef’s Expert Tips for Perfect Instant Pot Bacon

Achieving truly perfect bacon is an art, and these tips from experienced chefs will help you master the Instant Pot method:

• Stay Attentive and Monitor Closely: Since this recipe cooks bacon incredibly fast, usually in just 5 minutes, the bacon will begin to crisp up almost immediately. It’s crucial to keep a vigilant eye on it throughout the entire cooking process. Bacon can go from perfectly crispy to burnt in a matter of seconds. Watch for the edges to brown and listen for the characteristic sizzle. The moment it reaches your preferred level of crispness, it’s time to remove it from the pot.
• Flip Frequently for Uniform Crispness: To ensure that every part of your bacon strip gets evenly cooked and deliciously crispy, you should flip the bacon frequently. Aim to turn each piece about every minute, or even more often if you notice one side browning faster than the other. This constant attention prevents one side from burning while the other remains limp.
• Transfer Cooked Bacon to a Paper Towel-Lined Plate: Regardless of the cooking method, bacon will always be quite greasy once it’s done. Immediately transferring the cooked strips to a plate lined with a few layers of paper towels will help absorb much of the excess grease. This not only makes the bacon less greasy to eat but also contributes to a crisper texture. For an even crisper finish, you can place another paper towel on top and gently press down.
• Avoid Overlapping Bacon Strips: For optimal crispness and even cooking, it is paramount to arrange the bacon in a single layer at the bottom of the Instant Pot. Overlapping strips will steam rather than fry, resulting in chewy, unevenly cooked bacon. This might mean you need to work in batches, especially if you have a smaller Instant Pot or are cooking a large quantity of bacon. While cooking in batches adds a few minutes to the total time, the superior results are well worth the effort.
• Manage Bacon Fat: The Instant Pot will collect a significant amount of rendered bacon fat. After removing the bacon, you can carefully pour out the fat into a heat-safe container (like a glass jar) to save for future cooking. Bacon fat adds incredible flavor to roasted vegetables, eggs, or even cornbread. Just be sure to let the pot cool slightly or use oven mitts to handle it safely.
• Adjust Crispness to Your Liking: The 5-minute cooking time is a general guideline. Some people prefer slightly chewy bacon, while others want it extra-crispy. Feel free to adjust the cooking time by a minute or two to achieve your perfect bacon texture. Just remember to keep watching it closely!

Serving Suggestions for Your Instant Pot Bacon

Once you’ve mastered the art of Instant Pot bacon, the possibilities are endless! It’s not just for breakfast. Here are some delicious ways to enjoy your perfectly crispy strips:

• Classic Breakfast: Serve alongside scrambled eggs, pancakes, waffles, or a fresh fruit salad.
• Sandwiches and Burgers: Elevate your BLTs, club sandwiches, or cheeseburgers with a layer of perfectly cooked bacon.
• Salad Topping: Crumble crispy bacon over salads for a burst of salty, savory flavor and a delightful crunch. It’s fantastic on a Caesar salad or a Cobb salad.
• Baked Potatoes: Top a loaded baked potato with sour cream, chives, and plenty of crumbled bacon.
• Soups and Stews: Add a smoky depth to creamy soups or hearty stews with a sprinkle of crispy bacon bits.
• Appetizers: Wrap bacon around dates, asparagus, or shrimp for quick and impressive appetizers.

More Delicious Instant Pot Recipes You’ll Love

If you’re enjoying the convenience and efficiency of your Instant Pot, you’re in luck! This versatile appliance can prepare a vast array of dishes, from hearty mains to simple sides. Expand your culinary repertoire with these other fantastic Instant Pot recipes:

• Instant Pot Carne Asada
• Instant Pot Asparagus
• 20 Keto Instant Pot Recipes
• Instant Pot Broccoli
• Instant Pot Boiled Peanuts
• Instant Pot Jasmine Rice