Urgent warning issued to those who cook bacon in air fryer

Air fryers have become a kitchen staple in recent years for those looking to make their meals a bit healthier, but a dietician has warned putting bacon in one could have explosive consequences

Air fryer fans who thought they could make their fried breakfasts healthier have been warned of potential explosive results. The devices, which are now used more frequently than traditional ovens by some, have become a kitchen staple for creating healthier meals.

They cook without oil while maintaining the flavour of home-cooked food, and have gained popularity similar to microwaves. Many might think that bacon, a tasty but unhealthy breakfast choice, would be perfect for an air fryer, just like chips.

However, a dietician has cautioned that the high fat content in a single slice of bacon could cause a messy situation if cooked in an air fryer. Dietician Brenda Peralta told the Huffington Post that the high fat content of the meat could wreak havoc in the kitchen, reports the Mirror.

She said: "It is a fatty food, and when it is cooked in an air fryer, the fat can drip down and cause smoke or splatter. As if the smoke and smell caused by air frying bacon isn't bad enough, the process also comes with some major health risks. Ms Peralta explained that air fryers don't necessarily cook the bacon evenly, meaning people run the risk of getting food poisoning and, possibily, parasitic diseases associated with the meat.

She said: " Besides the smoke and smell caused by air frying bacon, there are also significant health risks involved." Ms Peralta explained that air fryers don't necessarily cook bacon evenly, increasing the risk of food poisoning and potentially, diseases associated with the meat.

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

Undercooked bacon can cause illness or, in rare cases, infections such as Trichinosis, which leads to symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, headaches, and eye swelling. It could even result in tapeworms.

Ms Peralta also pointed out that, unlike oiled pans, bacon sticks to the bottom of air fryer trays, making it hard to remove without breaking. She explained: "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."