Here’s how to cook bacon in your air fryer. Air fryer bacon is incredibly simple, produces crisp, delicious results, and keeps all the grease contained for easy cleanup.
Air Fryer Bacon
The smell of bacon in the morning is unbeatable. Pan-frying can be messy, with grease splattering and a lot of cleanup. Using an air fryer eliminates most of that mess while delivering perfectly crisp bacon in minutes.
Compared with oven or microwave methods, the air fryer is fast, convenient, and consistent. All the grease collects in the bottom of the unit or basket, making cleanup much simpler.
If you want to save bacon for later, it pairs wonderfully with an air fryer baked potato for a quick meal. There are so many ways to enjoy crispy bacon—on its own, in sandwiches, or crumbled over salads.
A personal note: I hadn’t cooked bacon for many years (I was vegetarian for over two decades), so learning to make bacon well took some practice. The air fryer made mastering bacon quick and worry-free.
This recipe removes the need to flip bacon on a stovetop and should become your go-to for quick, reliable results.
How do you stop the bacon smoking in the air fryer?
To reduce smoke when air frying bacon, place a slice of bread under the basket to absorb drips or add a little water to the tray beneath the basket so the fat combines with it instead of burning. Always empty the grease between batches to prevent bubbling and smoking from accumulated fat.
Ingredients
Simple ingredients make this an effortless recipe. Use regular or thick-cut bacon depending on your preference. The recipe card has exact quantities and timing.
- Regular or thick-cut bacon
Equipment Needed
- Air fryer — choose a size that accommodates your typical batch size; larger units are more versatile.
- Kitchen tongs — helpful for safely removing hot bacon from the basket.
- Paper towels — for draining cooked bacon.
Recipe Tips
Do not preheat the air fryer for this bacon recipe. Avoid spraying the basket with oil; the bacon releases enough fat to prevent sticking. For softer bacon, shorten the cooking time slightly. Each batch may cook a little faster than the last, so reduce time for subsequent batches and be sure to clean grease between them. If a strip is too long, cut it in half so air circulates evenly. After the unit cools, wipe the interior to remove any splattered grease.
Note: The smoke point of bacon fat is typically cited around 400°F, though some sources list lower values.
How to Make Air Fryer Bacon
Below is a concise version of the steps; full details are available in the printable recipe card.
- Arrange bacon strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overlapping.
- Air fry at 350°F — regular bacon cooks in about 7–9 minutes; thick-cut bacon needs 9–12 minutes. Adjust time for desired crispness.
- Transfer cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
- Wipe out the basket or tray and remove excess oil before cooking another batch.
Preparation and Storage
Make Ahead: This recipe is fast enough to make to order, producing fresh, crispy bacon in minutes.
Storage: Store cooked bacon in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use within five days.
Freezing: Freeze cooked bacon in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to one month. Layer pieces with paper towel or parchment to keep them separated.
Reheating: Reheat leftover bacon in the air fryer to restore crispness.
Recipe Variations
This method works for different types of bacon, including turkey or plant-based alternatives. Check labels for gluten- or sugar-free options if needed. Adjust batch sizes and timing according to your air fryer’s capacity and how many servings you need.
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Bacon
- Do not preheat the air fryer for this recipe.
- Do not add extra oil; bacon produces its own fat.
- For softer bacon, reduce cook time by a couple of minutes.
- Clean grease between batches to avoid smoking.
- If strips are too long, cut them so air can circulate freely.
- Wipe the cooled air fryer interior after use to remove splatters.
- Nutrition varies depending on the bacon brand and cut.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Bacon
Bacon is versatile and pairs well with many breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner dishes. Use it as a side, add it to casseroles, crumble it over salads, or build a classic BLT.
When to Serve: Breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, salad toppings, or sandwiches like BLTs.
Recipe Card
Air Fryer Bacon
Ingredients
- 6 Bacon
Instructions
- Place bacon strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry at 350°F for 7–9 minutes for regular bacon; 9–12 minutes for thick-cut bacon. Adjust for desired crispness.
- Remove bacon and place on a paper towel–lined plate to drain.
- Clean excess oil from the basket before cooking another batch.
Kitchen Tools
- Air Fryer
- Kitchen Tongs
Nutrition