Air Fryer Bacon

Want to know how to cook bacon in the air fryer? Look no further! This Air Fryer Bacon is the best method for perfectly cooked bacon in just 5-10 minutes!

Amazing Bacon in the Air Fryer

Okay. This is it…. The best way to cook bacon in my opinion. For years I have sweared by the trusty method of cooking bacon in the oven and while you can’t go wrong with this method, this air fryer bacon is next level. It’s easy, quick, and the clean up is a breeze. It results in deliciously crispy bacon and is ready in a fraction of the time! 

You just need an air fryer, the bacon itself, and five quick minutes, and perfectly air fried bacon is ready to go.

Ingredients Needed:

• Bacon: yep, that’s it! I get my bacon in my monthly ButcherBox (proud partner)!

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How to Cook Bacon in the Air Fryer

Cooking bacon in the air fryer couldn’t be quicker or easier! 

1. Preheat (not all air fryers need this) the air fryer: Heat the air fryer to 350ºF.
2. Cook the bacon: Add the bacon into the air fryer basket in a single layer and air fry for 5-9 minutes or until crisped to your liking.

How Long to Cook Bacon in the Air Fryer

This can depend on the thickness, the amount of bacon that you’re using, and the air fryer itself.

The more bacon there is, the longer it will take to cook.

Also, the thicker the bacon is, the longer it will take to cook!

Thick Bacon vs Thin Bacon

• For very thin pieces of bacon, you will just approximately 5 minutes to cook.
• For thicker pieces, you’ll need closer to 8 or 9 minutes.
• Worth noting that your magic number will also depend on how crispy (or not) you like your bacon!

If you’re not sure how long your bacon will take to cook, check it at 5 and add a couple minutes at a time from there until it’s cooked to your liking. 

Can You Put Raw Bacon in an Air Fryer?

Yep! It’s totally safe to put raw bacon in the air fryer, as long as it’s cooked to a safe temperature. And in the air fryer, this takes just a few short minutes!

Why is My Air Fryer Bacon Smoking?

If your air fryer is smoking, it likely has to do with either the grease that drips off of the bacon as it cooks, or too high of a temperature.

You can prevent this from happening by adding a little water to the drip pan underneath the air fryer basket (this can help absorb any grease that drips.), or simply cleaning out the basket between batches.

Too high of heat can cause smoking. I do not recommend 400ºF here. You shouldn’t have an issue if you set your temperature to 350ºF or even 375ºF.

What Type of Air Fryer to Use

We’ve tried quite a few air fryers over the years. We’ve have and use this basket style (my personal favorite), this Instant Pot air fryer attachment, and this toaster-style air fryer! They all work well! It’s quite a personal preference which you choose. Do you want/need a new toaster? Do you have space for a solo new appliance? All these things will go into consideration when shopping and deciding which of those will work for you. It’s not a small appliance, so make sure you have space for it!

What there is to be aware of about air fryers though is that some of them can be quite small. If yours has a small capacity, you may have to make the bacon in batches. Though I’m guessing if you’ve been using this air fryer for a while, you’ve already learned that.

Cooking it in batches, if you have a small capacity air fryer, ensures there is plenty of air circulation around the wings so they can get crispy. If you do need to do it in batches, at the very end you can put all of the wings back in the basket and cook for one minute to warm them all back up!

Tips and Notes for Making Bacon in the Air Fryer

• Definitely use tongs! It seems silly, but they’re helpful here! 
• Optional: cut the bacon in half. I don’t do this when I’m hosting a brunch, but it works great to create more space if you’re crumbling the bacon up anyway.
• Do I need to clean the grease between batches? I usually clean the bottom of the air fryer between batches to avoid splatter and smoke, but there have also been plenty of time where I haven’t and it’s been totally fine. 
• Your quantity matters. Two pieces will cook quicker than six pieces, if that makes sense, so just be aware! 
• Not crispy yet? Add an additional minute or two. It may be that your bacon is too thick.

How to Use Air Fryer Bacon

You can use Air Fryer Bacon in any recipe you love that includes bacon! Serve it as-is with a big breakfast platter, layer it onto a sandwich, crumble it over soups or salads, wrap it up in a breakfast burrito, you name it!

Here are a few of my favorite recipes that include bacon:

• Gluten-Free BLT Pasta Salad
• Bacon and Sweet Potato Frittata
• Deviled Eggs with Bacon and Chives
• Maple Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Bacon
• Strawberry Asparagus Salad with Bacon
• Potato Chowder with Shrimp and Bacon
• Chicken Bacon Ranch Baked Hummus Dip
• Collard Greens with Bacon

How to Store

Air fried bacon is best eaten right away, but leftovers will last in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days.

To reheat, either warm in the air fryer or on the stove in a skillet to heat and re-crisp.