CNET taste-test finds air fryer beats skillet and oven for cooking bacon
A CNET writer compared cooking bacon in a frying pan, oven and air fryer, and found the air fryer delivered the crispiest, most evenly cooked results with minimal splatter and cleanup. The pan method produced curled strips and required constant attention to avoid grease splatter, while the oven method reduced mess but demanded more prep work.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
Air fryers have become kitchen staples for reasons beyond fries and reheating leftovers, and this comparison highlights how they can replace traditional cooking tools for everyday tasks. For home cooks, the appeal is less mess, less active monitoring, and consistent results, which could shift habitual cooking methods for a breakfast staple.
- Air fryer bacon cooks evenly on both sides without flipping and drips grease into the basket for easy cleanup.
- Pan-frying bacon causes splatter and curls the strips, while oven-baking reduces mess but requires more prep.
- The comparison suggests air fryers can outperform conventional stovetop and oven methods for simple, everyday cooking tasks.
COSORI Pro II Air Fryer — If you're ready to ditch the splattering skillet, an air fryer like the COSORI Pro II gives you evenly crisped bacon with minimal cleanup and hands-off cooking. Its roomy basket design lets grease drain away as it cooks, matching exactly the mess-free method described in the article. It's a versatile kitchen upgrade that pays off well beyond breakfast.
See COSORI Pro II Air Fryer on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: cnet.com — David Watsky, 2026-09-21
Published there as: “After One Batch of Air Fryer Bacon, I Stopped Using My Skillet”
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