Whether it’s stuffed into a sandwich, wrapped around some meat, scattered over a salad, or eaten straight from the pan, bacon transforms any meal from bland to the best thing ever. You might say it’s the salty, smoky flavor or irresistible smell that keeps us coming back for more, but we prefer to think it’s the seemingly limitless variety of ingredients with which bacon pairs so well. are And we’ve got 11 bacon recipes to get you started—including air fryer versions and crispy, chewy bacon bits.