Air Fryer Bacon

Air Fryer Bacon is the easiest way to enjoy perfectly crispy strips without the mess of stovetop splatters or the long wait of oven baking. With just a few minutes of cooking time, you’ll have bacon that’s evenly cooked, less greasy, and deliciously crisp.

Ingredients

• 6–8 slices of bacon (regular or thick-cut)
• Optional: a sprinkle of black pepper, smoked paprika, or maple syrup for extra flavour

How To Make Air Fryer Bacon

1. Preheat your air fryer to 180°C (350°F) for 2–3 minutes.
2. Arrange bacon in a single layer in the basket, making sure slices don’t overlap too much.
3. Cook:
   • Regular bacon: 7–9 minutes
   • Thick-cut bacon: 10–12 minutes
4. Flip halfway if needed for extra crispiness.
5. Drain on paper towels before serving.

You Must Know

• Cooking times vary depending on thickness and air fryer model.
• Bacon shrinks as it cooks, so leave small gaps between slices.
• Always check the drip tray—excess grease can smoke. Empty if necessary during longer batches.

Topping Variations

• Pepper-Crusted Bacon: Sprinkle freshly cracked black pepper before cooking.
• Maple Bacon: Brush with maple syrup halfway through.
• Spicy Bacon: Dust with cayenne or chili flakes.
• Garlic Bacon: Lightly season with garlic powder before air frying.

Make It A Meal

• Add crispy bacon to air fryer burgers or breakfast sandwiches.
• Crumble over salads, baked potatoes, or mac and cheese.
• Pair with pancakes or French toast for a classic breakfast.
• Serve with eggs and avocado toast for a protein-packed brunch.

Pro Tips

• For chewier bacon, cook at 160°C (320°F) for a bit longer.
• Line the basket with parchment paper with holes for easier clean-up.
• Cook in batches if needed—crowding makes bacon less crispy.
• Save the rendered bacon fat for cooking eggs, veggies, or potatoes.

Recipe FAQs

Q: Can I use turkey bacon in the air fryer?
A: Yes! Turkey bacon cooks a bit faster—around 5–7 minutes.

Q: Do I need to preheat my air fryer?
A: Preheating helps the bacon cook evenly and get extra crispy, but it’s not strictly necessary.

Q: How do I stop the air fryer from smoking?
A: Pour a little water into the bottom of the drawer or empty the grease tray halfway through cooking.

Q: Can I cook frozen bacon in the air fryer?
A: Yes—separate the slices and cook for 2–3 extra minutes

Print

Air Fryer Bacon

Print Recipe

Making Air Fryer Bacon is so EASY! Have this ready for breakfast in under 10 minutes. The bacon air-fried is crispy and crunchy and the cleanup is so easy.

• Author: Isabel
• Prep Time: 1 minute
• Cook Time: 9 minute
• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x
• Category: Breakfast
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale
1x2x3x

• 5 slices bacon , (6 oz regular bacon, or 8–12 oz thick-cut bacon)

Instructions

1. Place the bacon strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cut strips in half if needed to fit more.
2. Air fry regular cut bacon at 350˚F for 7-9 minutes, or until bacon is browned and reaches desired crispiness. Air fry thick-cut bacon for 10-12 minutes.
3. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate then serve. If cooking bacon in batches, be sure to discard any oil in the drip pan before repeating the process.

Notes

The nutrition label is per slice of bacon so you can easily calculate depending on how many slices you eat.