International Bacon Day 2023: How to cook bacon in air fryer, microwave

Written by Kaleb A. Brown

September 2, 2023

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Bacon lovers everywhere, rejoice! Today, September 2, is none other than International Bacon Day. It's a day all about celebrating all things related to one of the most delicious foods on the planet. If you're a bacon fanatic, you can buy a variety of bacon-based products, from bacon socks to bacon soap. If you're like us and prefer to strictly eat your bacon, then there are many ways to have bacon and other meats delivered right to your door. Looking to cook bacon yourself? We've got you covered with all the essentials need to get the job done. No matter how you like your bacon cooked, here's what you need to make it to perfection.

What is International Bacon Day?

International Bacon Day is a day dedicated to celebrating everything related to bacon. While called “ International Bacon Day,” it seems to be U.S.-based, as other countries have bacon celebrations that take place on other days. It was established by CU Boulder graduates in 2004.

When is International Bacon Day?

International Bacon Day 2023 follows a pattern of being observed annually on the first Saturday in September. It falls on Saturday, September 2 this year.

How to cook the best bacon at home

Go the stovetop route with a cast iron skillet

A skillet is the quintessential bacon-making tool. With one, you can make crispy bacon on the stove, all while looking at its mesmerizing sizzle and being able to smell its mouth-watering aroma. Our favorite cast-iron is Lodge's 12-Inch Cast-Iron Skillet because it's affordable, lightweight, and comfortable to hold.

Lodge Cast Iron Chef Collection Skillet

This pre-seasoned skillet is our favorite cast iron, making it perfect for cooking tasty bacon.

$40 from Amazon

Make a big batch using a baking sheet

A baking sheet is a must-have for making bacon in the oven and the best one we've tested is Nordic Ware's Natural Aluminum Commercial Baker's Half Sheet. We love this baking sheet because it distributes heat evenly and is lightweight. Its large size means you'll be able to fit many strips of bacon on at once. Plus, it's versatile, so you can cook or bake tons of things, like cookies, on it.

Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Commercial Baker's Half Sheet

This half sheet is lightweight yet large enough to fit many strips of bacon.

$19 from Amazon

Cook with ease in a microwave

While some may judge you, making bacon in a microwave is a convenient and lightning-fast method of making your favorite meaty treat. We have just the microwave for the job — the Cuisinart CMW-100, the best microwave we've tested. This microwave cooks reliably and its size means it can hold a decent amount of bacon at once.

Cuisinart CMW-100 1-Cubic-Foot Stainless Steel Microwave Oven

The CMW-100 features a bright interior light and boasts great performance.

$185 from Amazon

Try cooking bacon in an air fryer

Air fryers make everything better and bacon is no different. With an air fryer, you can get the crispiness of stovetop bacon with the convenience of microwaved bacon. Just arrange your bacon strips in the tray and bake them until perfection. Our favorite air fryer, the Ninja Speedi, is up to the task because of how easy it is to use and how quickly it works.

Ninja SF301 Speedi Rapid Cooker & Air Fryer

The Ninja Speedi not only fries, but it bakes, sears, sautés, and slow cooks, too.

$130 from Amazon

Use a nifty air fryer toaster oven

For a retro-styled, small, and chic appliance that can also cook bacon perfectly, we recommend Our Place's Wonder Oven. We love this tiny oven because of its small footprint, its charming design, and its excellent performance. For more options, check out the best air fryer toaster ovens we’ve tested. Happy eating!