Air Fryer Bacon
Cooking bacon in the air fryer is one of those kitchen discoveries that instantly changes your routine. Once you try Air Fryer Bacon, it’s hard to go back to splatter-filled stovetops, greasy cleanup, or unevenly cooked strips. This method delivers crispy, evenly cooked bacon with minimal effort, less mess, and surprisingly consistent results every single time.
Whether you like your bacon chewy, crispy, or somewhere in between, the air fryer gives you complete control. It’s fast, reliable, and perfect for busy mornings, weekend brunch spreads, or meal prepping bacon for the week ahead. In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to make perfect air fryer bacon, plus expert tips, variations, serving ideas, and everything you need to know to master this simple yet game-changing technique.
Why Air Fryer Bacon Is a Game Changer
Air fryers circulate hot air rapidly around food, which makes them ideal for cooking bacon. The fat renders efficiently, dripping away from the meat, while the bacon crisps evenly on all sides. Unlike stovetop cooking, there’s no constant flipping, and unlike oven baking, there’s no long preheat time.
Key benefits of cooking bacon in the air fryer include:
- Less grease splatter and easier cleanup
- Even cooking without hot spots
- Faster cooking time
- Adjustable crispiness
- Perfect for small or large batches
Once you experience the ease of this method, air fryer bacon quickly becomes a household staple.
Ingredients
- Bacon slices (regular-cut or thick-cut)
- Optional: freshly ground black pepper
That’s it. No oil, no extra fat, no complicated prep.
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 2–3 minutes if your model requires preheating.
- Arrange the bacon slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Slight overlap is okay, but avoid stacking.
- Cook for 7 minutes, then carefully check the bacon’s progress.
- Flip the bacon slices using tongs for even crisping.
- Continue cooking for an additional 3–7 minutes, depending on thickness and desired crispiness.
- Remove bacon from the air fryer and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess grease.
- Season with black pepper if desired and serve immediately.
How Long to Cook Bacon in the Air Fryer
The exact cooking time depends on the thickness of your bacon and how crispy you like it.
- Thin-cut bacon: 7–9 minutes
- Regular-cut bacon: 9–12 minutes
- Thick-cut bacon: 12–15 minutes
Always check a minute early the first time you cook bacon in a new air fryer model, as airflow and wattage vary.
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Bacon
Don’t overcrowd the basket
Air needs to circulate around each strip. Cook in batches if necessary for the crispiest results.
Use parchment liners cautiously
If using air fryer parchment, make sure it’s perforated and weighted by bacon to prevent it from flying into the heating element.
Watch for smoke
Bacon renders fat quickly. If smoke appears, carefully drain excess grease from the basket mid-cook.
Adjust temperature if needed
If your bacon browns too fast, reduce the temperature to 350°F and cook slightly longer.
Bacon Texture Preferences
One of the biggest advantages of air fryer bacon is customization.
- Chewy Bacon: Cook 7–9 minutes total
- Classic Crisp: Cook 10–12 minutes
- Extra Crispy: Cook 13–15 minutes
Remove bacon immediately when it reaches your preferred texture, as it continues to crisp slightly after cooking.
Flavor Variations
Air fryer bacon is delicious on its own, but you can easily dress it up:
Pepper Bacon
Sprinkle cracked black pepper before cooking.
Maple Bacon
Brush lightly with maple syrup during the last 2 minutes of cooking.
Spicy Bacon
Dust lightly with cayenne or smoked paprika before cooking.
Brown Sugar Bacon
Sprinkle a pinch of brown sugar for sweet, caramelized edges.
Serving Suggestions
Air Fryer Bacon fits into nearly every meal of the day.
- Breakfast plates with eggs and toast
- Breakfast sandwiches or wraps
- Crumbled over salads
- Tucked into burgers or grilled cheese
- Chopped into pasta, soups, or baked potatoes
It also stores well, making it ideal for meal prep.
How to Store and Reheat Air Fryer Bacon
To Store:
Place cooled bacon in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
To Reheat:
Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 2–3 minutes until warmed and crisp.
Is Air Fryer Bacon Healthier?
While bacon is still bacon, air frying allows excess fat to drip away instead of pooling around the meat. This results in slightly less grease and a cleaner cooking process without added oils.
Fun Bacon Facts
- Bacon has been enjoyed for thousands of years, dating back to ancient China.
- The word “bacon” comes from Old French meaning “back meat.”
- Air fryer bacon is one of the most searched air fryer recipes worldwide.
Final Thoughts
Air Fryer Bacon proves that the simplest recipes are often the most life-changing. With minimal ingredients, fast cook times, and consistently crispy results, this method earns a permanent spot in your kitchen routine. Whether you’re cooking for one or feeding a crowd, air fryer bacon delivers every single time.
Air Fryer Bacon
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) if required.
- Arrange bacon slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Cook for 7 minutes, then flip bacon using tongs.
- Continue cooking for 3–7 minutes until desired crispiness is reached.
- Remove bacon and drain on paper towels before serving.
