How to Make Crispy Turkey Bacon (with Video)

Turkey Bacon can be a challenge to cook, but you can learn my 2 methods for making perfectly crispy turkey bacon every time.

Turkey bacon is something that many people struggle with. They want to have it, but hate the texture. It’s just…mushy.

Or is it?

Not that long ago, I went to my fellowship and we had a big baked potato bar potluck. I volunteered to bring the turkey bacon.

When everyone started putting together their potatoes, I had several people ask… “This is turkey bacon?” and the next question was, “How did you make it crispy!?“

I make turkey bacon crispy with two different methods. Below I will share both methods that I use.

Watch the 2 Crispy Turkey Bacon Methods in the Video Below:

How to Make Crispy Turkey Bacon Bits in a Cast Iron Skillet

Any time I am making bacon bits or bacon crumbles, I make the bacon in my cast iron skillet.

To make it this way, there are three things you need.

1. No Moisture
2. High Heat
3. Fat

Turkey bacon is extremely lean, and also very delicate. It is a serious challenge to cook it crispy.

To remedy the leanness, I add a little fat. My favorite fat to use is duck fat, because it can handle high heat without smoking. You can use another fat, but I’m telling you, give duck fat a try. It is also AMAZING for making skillet fried potatoes.

To Make Crispy Turkey Bacon Bits you will need:

• turkey bacon
• knife & cutting board
• paper towels
• cast iron skillet
• spatula
• duck fat
• plate or platter

To begin, pat the bacon dry with paper towels, wiping both sides of the slices.

Cut the bacon into thin strips. Set them aside for a moment.

Add a tablespoon or two of duck fat to your cast iron skillet. Heat these on high heat (not as high as your stove goes, but pretty high) until the fat is shimmering.

Add turkey bacon strips to the skillet in a single layer. Work in batches. Don’t move them.

Wait for a minute or two, until the bacon begins to brown and release from the surface of the skillet, then use a thin spatula to turn the strips over to fully cook.

When they are done, transfer the bacon to a platter or plate lined with paper towels.

Enjoy your CRISPY turkey bacon bits.

SLICES of turkey bacon can also be cooked the same way as the bits in a cast iron skillet. But turkey bacon is delicate and prone to tearing. I recommend cutting the slices in half, as they are a little easier to work with if you do it that way.

For perfectly cooked turkey bacon slices, I make them in my air fryer.

How to Make Turkey Bacon in an Air Fryer

Again, just like the turkey bacon bits above, you want the same three ingredients besides the bacon: heat, fat, and get rid of the moisture.

You’ll first preheat your air fryer on the “air fry” setting. (400°F)

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Pat your turkey bacon slices dry with paper towels.

Arrange your turkey bacon slices in a single layer in the fryer basket. Work in batches if needed, depending upon your air fryer. I have an Instant Vortex air fryer and can do 5 slices at a time.

Brush or spritz the slices with a little bit of ghee or other spritzing oil. (I also use extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil.)

Air fry for 10 minutes, turning the bacon over part way through. (My air fryer lets you know when to turn the food over.)

Place your turkey bacon on a plate or platter lined with paper towels.

Now you know 2 ways to cook perfectly crispy turkey bacon. You’ll never have to have mushy bacon again!

Below you can find a printable of both crispy turkey bacon versions.

Did you Make this Recipe? I’d love for you to give me a 5 star rating in the recipe card below. If you share it on Instagram, please tag me!

The Crispy Turkey Bacon Bits:

And the Crispy Turkey Bacon slices: