Perfect Air Fryer Bacon
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Air Fryer Bacon takes everything you dislike about making bacon out of the equation! Cooking bacon in the air fryer leaves you with nothing but perfect, crispy strips!
Air Fryer Bacon
When you air fry bacon, there’s no smoke, no oily mess that takes ages to clean, no constant flipping and rearranging, and no long bake times.
The secret is cooking bacon in water! Once you try it, you’ll never want to make it any other way.
Jazz up your morning eggs, lunchtime wraps, or literally anything — because everything is better with bacon!
And don’t stop at bacon in an air fryer! Pair it with more air fryer favorites like breakfast potatoes and hard boiled eggs.
I’m sure I also don’t have to tell you that air fryer bacon isn’t just for breakfast! Pile it high on sandwiches and burgers, or crumble it up to sprinkle on nachos and fries.
Ingredient Notes and Swaps
- Bacon – If your strips are a bit long, you might want to trim them down to fit your basket to prevent curling and uneven cooking.
And don’t be afraid to use meatless alternatives or turkey bacon! The cooking process will be the same, but the timing will be different. - Water – Don’t replace it, and don’t leave it out! Adding a bit of water along with the bacon in the air fryer will prevent it from smoking.
I promise it’s important if you want to get crisp strips that aren’t overcooked. - Optional Seasonings – Bacon is already the king of flavor, I know.
But why not make things a little more fun with some chili powder, brown sugar, pepper, or maple syrup?
Tips and Tricks to Perfectly Air Fry Bacon
- Keep an eye on the cook time.
Every air fryer is different, so cooking time will vary. Keep an eye on bacon in an air fryer to make sure it doesn’t over or undercook.
And if the strips are sliced a little thick, then you’ll need extra time for them to cook all the way through.
- Use a foil liner.
To make the cleanup as easy as the cooking, lay parchment paper or foil on the bottom of the fryer to keep it clear of drippings and grease.
- Don’t overlap the slices.
Air fry bacon strips in a single layer and try not to let them overlap — though it’s okay if the edges cross just a little bit!
This is the best way to make sure each strip cooks all the way through.
Reheating Bacon in Air Fryer
You can refrigerate air fryer bacon for 5 days, and it freezes well for up to 1 month. Which makes it so great for meal prep!
It’s great to add to quick breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, so it’s totally worth making in bulk.
To reheat strips, throw them back in the air fryer for a few minutes!
You can also add leftovers cold to your sandwiches, or let them warm up in the pan with anything else you’re cooking. Talk about easy!
Bacon in the Air Fryer FAQ
It depends on how crispy you like your slices, how thick the meat is, and the model of your air fryer.
With my Cosori air fryer, it takes about 14 minutes for thick-cut strips and 9 minutes for regular bacon, give or take.
Give it a little less or a little more time if you prefer chewier or crispier bacon, respectively.
First, the water keeps the initial temperature low. This keeps the bacon strips moist and tender while the fat has time to render.
The grease also sticks to the water, keeping splatters to a minimum!
Cooking bacon in water works no matter the method — whether you’re making bacon in an air fryer, on the stovetop, or in the oven.
Technically, the safe internal temperature is 145°F, but that’s almost impossible to gauge with bacon. So base it on sight!
Once air fryer bacon has gone from raw pink to golden brown, it’s safe to eat.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Other Easy Air Fryer Recipes
Perfect Air Fryer Bacon
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8-10 strips thick cut bacon
- water
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer at 320°F for 5 minutes.
- Pour 1/4 cup of water into the bottom of the air fryer to minimize smoke.
- Place bacon in a single layer into the preheated air fryer basket.
- Cook for 12-16 minutes for thick cut and 8-10 minutes for standard cut.
Donna’s Notes
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published August 2022, updated and republished August 2023
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This is such an easy way to cook bacon, and tastes better than premade stuff. I love it!