Bacon is a breakfast staple that many people can’t live without. But cooking it can be a hassle, especially if you don’t have the right equipment.
That’s where the Cuisinart Griddler comes in. This versatile appliance can be used to cook bacon in a variety of ways, from open griddle to closed press.
In this article, we’ll explore the different methods for cooking bacon on the Cuisinart Griddler and provide you with some tips and tricks for getting the perfect crispy bacon every time.
So, whether you’re a bacon lover or just looking for an easy way to cook breakfast, read on to learn how to cook bacon on Cuisinart Griddler.
How To Cook Bacon On Cuisinart Griddler?
Method 1: Open Griddle
One of the easiest ways to cook bacon on the Cuisinart Griddler is to use the open griddle method. Here’s how:
1. Place the bacon slices on the griddle plates in a flat position.
2. Insert the plates on the griddle side and set the Cuisinart Griddler between medium and high heat.
3. Cook until the bacon is completely cooked through, about 4 to 5 minutes per side.
4. Remove the bacon and place it on paper towels to drain.
5. Wipe any excess grease from the griddle and turn down the heat to medium.
6. Crack eggs onto the griddle and sprinkle with freshly ground pepper.
7. Once set, flip the eggs until cooked easy or until desired doneness.
8. Remove and place on a croissant bottom, top each with bacon and slices of cheese to cover.
9. Finish with croissant top.
10. Place sandwiches on bottom plate and carefully adjust the grill to close.
11. Grill sandwich in closed position until cheese is melted, about 2 minutes.
Method 2: Closed Press
Another way to cook bacon on the Cuisinart Griddler is to use the closed press method. Here’s how:
1. Heat the panini maker to medium-high heat and arrange as many bacon slices as will fit neatly on your grill, without overlapping.
2. Close the lid and grill the bacon until it’s cooked through and crispy, 10 to 13 minutes, depending on the thickness of your bacon.
3. If you have a grill that allows you to adjust the height of the upper plate, like those made by Breville, set it to just barely graze the surface of bacon and not fully press the strips.
Method 3: Electric Griddle
If you prefer using an electric griddle, here’s how you can cook bacon on it:
1. Remove the bacon from the fridge at least 15 minutes prior to cooking.
2. Place each strip onto a cold electric griddle, making sure none of them are touching.
3. Turn up the griddle to 325 degrees and cook for around 15 minutes, depending on how thick you like your bacon.
4. Only flip the bacon once and remove it from the griddle when done.
Method 4: Bacon Press
If you have a bacon press, here’s how you can use it to cook bacon on your Cuisinart Griddler:
1. Allow the bacon to begin cooking for approximately 5-8 minutes on one side, depending on its thickness.
2. Use a spatula or scraper to push any excess grease into the grease trap.
3. Carefully flip each piece using tongs and allow it to continue cooking for another 5-8 minutes.
4. If using a bacon press, place it on top of the bacon right after placing it on the griddle.
5. The bacon should cook in approximately 4-6 minutes, depending on its thickness.
Preparing The Cuisinart Griddler For Bacon Cooking
Before cooking bacon on your Cuisinart Griddler, it’s important to prepare the appliance properly. Here are some steps to follow:
1. Clean the griddle plates and make sure they are free of any debris or leftover food.
2. If your Cuisinart Griddler has a drip pan, be sure to put it in place before cooking.
3. Set the griddle to medium-high heat for open griddle method or 325 degrees for electric griddle method.
4. If using the closed press method, preheat the panini maker to medium-high heat.
5. For the bacon press method, allow the griddle to heat up for a few minutes before placing the bacon on it.
6. Make sure the bacon strips are not overlapping and fit as many as you can onto the griddle, depending on its size.
7. Use tongs or a spatula to flip the bacon only once and remove it from the griddle when done.
By following these steps, you can ensure that your Cuisinart Griddler is properly prepared for cooking delicious bacon every time.
Cooking Bacon On The Open Griddle
One of the easiest and most popular methods for cooking bacon on the Cuisinart Griddler is to use the open griddle. This method involves placing the bacon slices directly on the griddle plates in a flat position and setting the Griddler between medium and high heat. Once the Griddler is heated up, cook the bacon until it is completely cooked through, which should take about 4 to 5 minutes per side. It is important to monitor the heat and adjust it accordingly to prevent burning or undercooking.
After cooking, remove the bacon from the griddle and place it on paper towels to drain any excess grease. Wipe any excess grease from the griddle and turn down the heat to medium. You can then crack eggs onto the griddle and sprinkle them with freshly ground pepper. Once set, flip the eggs until cooked easy or until desired doneness.
To make a delicious bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich, place each piece of cooked bacon on a croissant bottom, top each with slices of cheese to cover, and finish with croissant top. Place sandwiches on the bottom plate and carefully adjust the grill to close. Grill the sandwich in closed position until cheese is melted, about 2 minutes.
Cooking Bacon On The Closed Press
Cooking bacon on the closed press is a great way to achieve perfectly flat, crispy bacon. Here’s how to do it:
1. Heat your panini maker to medium-high heat and arrange as many bacon slices as will fit neatly on your grill, without overlapping.
2. If your grill comes with a drip pan, be sure to put it in place. Grills with a tilt feature should be set to tilt.
3. Close the lid and grill the bacon until it’s cooked through and crispy, which should take about 10 to 13 minutes, depending on the thickness of your bacon.
4. If you have a grill that allows you to adjust the height of the upper plate, like those made by Breville, set it to just barely graze the surface of bacon and not fully press the strips.
5. Once the bacon is cooked on one side, use tongs to carefully flip it over and continue cooking for another 3 minutes or until the edges are crispy but not burnt.
6. If using a bacon press, place it on top of the bacon right after placing it on the griddle. The bacon should cook in approximately 4-6 minutes, depending on its thickness.
7. Remove the bacon from the griddle and let it drain on a nest of paper towels.
Using a bacon press is an excellent way to cook bacon because it allows the entire slice of bacon to cook evenly without curling up. The weight of the press holds the bacon flat, so it cooks evenly on both sides. If you’re looking for an upgrade to your breakfast game, consider investing in a cast iron bacon press that will last for years with proper care and seasoning.
Tips For Perfectly Crispy Bacon On Cuisinart Griddler
Cooking bacon on the Cuisinart Griddler can be a delicious and easy process, but there are a few tips to ensure that your bacon turns out perfectly crispy every time. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
1. Remove the bacon from the fridge at least 15-20 minutes before cooking, so it can reach room temperature. This helps the bacon cook more evenly.
2. Preheat your griddle to medium heat, around 350°F. If the heat is too high, your bacon may burn.
3. Place the bacon directly on the cooking surface, leaving some space between each slice so they don’t touch each other. You don’t need to use oil or cooking spray as the bacon will release enough oil and grease on its own.
4. Depending on the thickness of your bacon, it should take about 5-7 minutes to cook on each side. Use a grill press to speed up the cooking process and prevent curling.
5. Only flip the bacon once using tongs. To check if it needs flipping, lift up a piece with tongs and check if it’s browned on one side.
6. When the bacon is finished cooking, use tongs to remove it from the griddle and place it on a plate lined with paper towels or a wire rack to absorb excess grease.
7. Store your bacon in a cold refrigerator and check the expiration date before cooking. If you notice any signs of spoilage, discard the bacon and buy a new pack.
By following these tips, you can enjoy perfectly crispy bacon every time you cook it on your Cuisinart Griddler.