Perfect Bacon in the Air Fryer

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Bacon In The Air Fryer takes everything you dislike about making bacon out of the equation and leaves you with nothing but perfect, crispy strips! 

titled collage for air fryer bacon

Using this method, there’s no smoke, no oily mess that takes ages to clean, no constant flipping and rearranging, and no long bake times. Looking for a sweet candied bacon, this one is a snap to make in the oven.

Jazz up your morning eggs, lunchtime wraps, or literally anything – because everything is better with bacon!

ingredients for air fryer bacon recipe

Bacon In The Air Fryer

No matter how large or small its role, bacon becomes the star of whatever dish it’s in!

And when you make bacon in an air fryer, you don’t have to worry about oil splatter or constant flipping to make sure it cooks evenly. It comes out perfect every time! Pair this bacon with more air fryer favorites like breakfast potatoes and hard boiled eggs.

I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that air fried bacon isn’t just for breakfast! Pile it high on sandwiches and burgers, or crumble it up to sprinkle on nachos and fries.

Save it for whenever you need just a little more flavor!

placing bacon strips in the air fryer basket

Air Fryer Bacon Ingredients and Notes

  • Bacon – If your strips are a bit long, you might want to trim them down to fit your fryer/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 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?
air fried bacon in basket

Recipe Tips

Keep an eye on the cook time.

Every air fryer is different, so cooking time will vary. Keep an eye on the basket and the bacon to make sure it doesn’t over or undercook.

And if the bacon is sliced a little thick, then you’ll need extra time for it 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.

Lay the 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 the pork cooks all the way through.

close up of air fried bacon

Storing and Reheating

You can refrigerate air fried 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, and so is totally worth making in bulk.

To reheat, throw it back in the air fryer! Or you can simply add it cold to your sandwiches, or let it warm up in the pan with anything else you’re cooking.

Talk about easy!

Bacon in the Air Fryer FAQ

Can you cook bacon in air fryer?

You’ll be hard pressed to find something you can’t cook in an air fryer, really. But yes, you can absolutely make bacon in the air fryer.

Even better, it’s ready in less time than making it in the oven or on the stovetop!

How long does it take for bacon to cook in the air fryer?

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 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.

How can you tell when air fried bacon is done cooking?

Technically, the safe internal temperature is 145°F, but that’s almost impossible to gauge with bacon. So base it on sight!

Once the meat has gone from raw pink to golden brown, it’s safe to eat.

air fryer bacon on plate

Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours. 

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air fried bacon closeup

Other Easy Air Fryer Recipes

air fried bacon closeup

Perfect Bacon in the Air Fryer

Donna Elick
Bacon in the Air Fryer can be crispy, chewy, or somewhere in between! This smoke-free air fried bacon recipe is quick, clean, and easy!
5 stars from 1 review
Tried this recipe?Please comment and review!
Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 14 minutes
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Method Air Fryer
Servings 4

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

The cook time for our air fryer bacon recipe can vary depending on the thickness of the slices, the doneness of the bacon, and the model of air fryer.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 300cal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 477mg | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 0.3mg

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.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
titled collage for perfect air fryer bacon

Originally published August 2022

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