Chef Andy Hearnden, who posts on social media as Andy Cooks, has shared his method for achieving perfectly crispy bacon every time. The key ingredient is water, which is free and commonly available.
How to cook crispy bacon with water
In a video shared on YouTube, Hearnden demonstrated his technique. He said: "Want crispy bacon? Just add water. I'm serious. Cold pan, bacon in, bit of water on top, and then turn it on."
The chef explained why water is important to the cooking process. He said: "So here's why it works. Bacon is packed full of moisture and fat. If you blast it in a dry hot pan, the outside gets cooked first before the fat has a chance to render."
Why the water method works
Hearnden continued: "Adding the water keeps the temperature controlled at the start, and it gives a chance for the fat to render out before the flesh starts to burn. The water evaporates, and now the bacon is frying in its own fat. Even contact, better browning, and better Maillard reaction."
The Maillard reaction is the chemical process between amino acids from proteins and sugars, which are reduced. This process is responsible for the rich, savoury flavours in browned foods such as toasted bread, roasted coffee beans, and the crust on a seared steak.
Reaction to the method
After cooking, Hearnden said: "Just let that rest because I don't really want to put it in my mouth while it's still nuclear hot. There you go." After taking a few bites, he added: "You're not boiling it, you're just managing the render. Yummo."
In the comments section, YouTube users shared their thoughts. One person said: "Thank you, Andy. You teach us stuff we need to know." Another said: "I have never made bacon any other way since I learnt this method." A third commented: "The way the fat turns crispy yet soft, just makes it sooooo much more savory." A fourth shared: "When I told my teacher we fried our bacon in a little water, she looked at me funny. This was the late 80s/early 90s. I thought everyone did it this way." Someone else added: "Thank you! I would never have tried this if not shown!"
