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Crispy bacon in Air Fryer, perfectly cooked strips rest in a basket atop a black and white striped napkin on a distressed blue surface.
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5 from 1 vote

How to Make Bacon in the Air Fryer

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 Time1 minute
Cook Time8 minutes
Total Time9 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free
Servings: 2 servings
Author: Melissa Griffiths

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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