Perfect Air Fryer Bacon: Crispy, Easy & Mess-Free Every Time

Name: How to Make Bacon in the Air Fryer
Prep time: 1 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 9 min
Ingredients: 4 strips of thick-cut bacon (cut in half)

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Here are the very simple directions on how to make Bacon in the Air Fryer. It’s a quick and easy way to cook bacon with less mess than traditional frying. And it makes perfectly crispy bacon every single time!

Crispy bacon in Air Fryer, perfectly cooked strips rest in a basket atop a black and white striped napkin on a distressed blue surface.

🥓 I’ve used this bacon cooking method countless times for family breakfasts, brunch gatherings, and meal prep sessions. This method delivers consistent results every single time!

My 2 Best Tips For Making Bacon in the Air Fryer
How to Make Bacon in the Air Fryer Recipe
Recipe FAQs
Air Fryer My Family Uses
Expert Tips
More Tasty Breakfast Recipes to Try

My 2 Best Tips For Making Bacon in the Air Fryer

Choose Thick Cut Bacon: I found that thick cut bacon worked best in the air fryer as it tends to not curl up and get moved around as much by the circulating air. It also gives you that perfect bite with a crispy exterior and slightly tender interior.

Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: Resist the temptation to cook more bacon at once by stacking pieces! A single layer is crucial for even cooking and maximum crispiness. If you need more bacon cooked, either cook in batches if using the air fryer or cook a larger batch all at once in the oven.

🩷 Melissa

I’m a huge fan of baking bacon in the oven because you can make a large quantity at once, there’s much less mess compared to frying it on the stove, and it’s a pop-it-in-and-forget it kind of thing. That being said, it takes a little longer than traditional frying.

When I want a small amount of bacon quickly, though, I have started frying my bacon in the air fryer, and it is awesome.

The air fryer cooks the bacon up really quickly and nice and crisp. It also it much less messy than frying it on the stove top.

And I’ve found that air fryers are really easy to wipe or rinse clean and move on.

5 from 1 vote

How to Make Bacon in the Air Fryer

By: Melissa Griffiths

Here are the very simple directions on how to make Bacon in the Air Fryer. It's a quick and easy way to cook bacon with less mess than traditional frying. And it makes perfectly crispy bacon every single time!

Prep: 1

Cook: 8

Total: 9

Servings: servings

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Ingredients

▢ 4 strips of thick-cut bacon, cut in half

Instructions

Turn on your air fryer and preheat it to 375° for 2 minutes.
Insert the bottom rack that came with the air fryer so the bacon won't be sitting directly on the bottom and the grease will drain.
Place the bacon halves on the rack in an even layer. Don't stack the bacon on top of each other; cook in batches if needed.
Cook for 5-8 minutes until cooked to your liking. If the bacon moves or curls while cooking, simply use tongs to keep everything in a single layer.
Use tongs to remove the bacon from the air fryer and place it on a paper towel to absorb the extra grease.
Enjoy hot or use in your favorite recipes.

Notes

Best Bacon:

I found that thick cut bacon worked best in the air fryer as it tended to not curl up and get moved around as much by the circulating air.
Turkey bacon, Canadian bacon, and even bacon bits all work beautifully in the air fryer.
You may need to adjust the cooking time slightly – turkey bacon typically cooks a bit faster.

Save That Bacon Grease: Don’t throw away the liquid gold that collects in your air fryer! Strain it and store it in the refrigerator for cooking potatoes, seasoning vegetables, or adding incredible flavor to your next batch of cornbread.

Adjust Timing for Your Preference: Everyone likes their bacon different. Start checking at 5 minutes for softer bacon, or let it go the full 8 minutes for extra crispy results.

Use Parchment Paper for Easy Cleanup: While not necessary, placing perforated parchment paper designed for air fryers under your bacon can make cleanup even easier without affecting the cooking process.

Nutrition

Serving: 2 strips of bacon, Calories: 300kcal, Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 9g, Fat: 29g, Saturated Fat: 10g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g, Monounsaturated Fat: 13g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 48mg, Sodium: 477mg, Potassium: 143mg, Vitamin A: 27IU, Calcium: 4mg, Iron: 0.3mg

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Recipe FAQs

What temperature should I cook bacon in the air fryer?

375°F is the sweet spot for air fryer bacon. This temperature allows the fat to render properly while creating that perfect crispy texture without burning.

How long does bacon take to cook in an air fryer?

Cook time ranges from 5-8 minutes depending on your preferred level of crispiness and the thickness of your bacon. Thick cut bacon may need closer to 8 minutes, while regular bacon is usually perfect at 6-7 minutes.

Do I need to flip bacon in the air fryer?

No flipping required! The circulating air cooks the bacon evenly on both sides. Just arrange it in a single layer and let the air fryer do its magic.

Air Fryer My Family Uses

The best air fryer comes down to preferences and needs really. I looked at one that was rated #1 but it cost over $300. I didn’t want to pay that much for a new appliance so I went with the Ninja 4 quart air fryer that was “Amazon’s Choice” when it came to my air fryer search.

The only thing I would do differently next time is get a larger capacity. I have a big family and the 4-quart just isn’t quite big enough.

I’m pleasantly surprised at how much I use the air fryer and I’m really glad I got one. It cooks things quickly, it’s easy to use, and everything comes out super crispy. I’ll never bake tater tots in the oven again – air fryer all the way!

Expert Tips

Thick Cut Bacon: I found that thick cut bacon worked best in the air fryer as it tended to not curl up and get moved around as much by the circulating air.
Check If Needed: Don’t be afraid to open up the air fryer while it’s running to check on things. If the bacon is getting moved around too much while it’s cooking, simply take tongs and put the bacon back in a single layer.
Remove Grease: Drain the grease from the cooked bacon before starting a second batch.