Perfect Bacon in the Air Fryer
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
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!
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!
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!
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?
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.
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
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!
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.
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.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
Don’t miss a thing! Follow us on
Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram
Other Easy Air Fryer Recipes
Perfect Bacon in the Air Fryer
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
Disclosure: Posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link your price will remain the same and The Slow Roasted Italian will automatically receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting us, it helps us keep creating new recipes.
This is such an easy way to cook bacon, and tastes better than premade stuff. I love it!