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My easy air fryer bacon recipe is quick and hands-off and yields perfectly cooked and crispy bacon every time.
Craving more air fryer recipes? Try my air fryer steak, air fryer pork tenderloin, air fryer turkey breast, or air fryer chicken breast next.
We are a family of bacon lovers, but cooking it up is another story. That is why cooking bacon in the air fryer is my new favorite way to cook it.
Like with my air fryer turkey bacon, there are no more greasy stovetops and an unwanted sheen to my kitchen counters, and let’s just say the classic BLT has become an almost daily habit!
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- It’s quick and easy. Preheat the air fryer, arrange the bacon in the basket, and wait for it to cook succulent, crispy bacon in 10 minutes or less.
- Easy cleanup. Unlike the stove-top method, the air fryer confines the excess oil, which is much easier to clean than grease splattered all over your kitchen.
- Perfect texture. I’m sorry, but I’d still be happy for all the stovetop mess if the bacon isn’t crispy. Luckily, the air fryer guarantees extra crispy and meaty bacon every time.
- A healthier method. The excess grease drips off the bacon as it cooks, yielding fewer calories without compromising taste and texture.
Ingredients needed
- Bacon. For the best results, I highly recommend using fresh, regular bacon that’s evenly marbled with fat. Of course, any bacon will work. Check below for some ideas and cooking times to match.
How to cook bacon in an air fryer
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- Prep. Add strips of bacon to the air fryer basket.
Step 2- Air fry the bacon for 5 minutes, or until your desired crispness.
Recommended cooking times
The time it takes to air fry bacon at 400°F (200°C) will vary depending on the type of bacon you use and also the make and model of your gadget. I tested this both in my Phillips XXL Air Fryer and the Ninja Air fryer and had identical results. Use these cooking times to find your perfect level of doneness:
- Regular-cut bacon: 5 minutes.
- Thicker bacon (thick-cut bacon): 6 to 7 minutes.
- Canadian bacon: 5 to 6 minutes.
Remember you can always increase the cooking time if you want extra crispy air fryer bacon.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Cook in a single layer: This allows the hot air to circulate around each slice evenly, leaving you with crispy, never-soggy bacon. If we’re making a larger serving, I like to cook them in batches and keep the cooked bacon warm in a preheated oven.
- Watch it carefully: Monitor the bacon as it cooks, and flip it halfway through the cooking time! This will ensure that the bacon browns evenly and reaches your desired level of doneness.
- Use air fryer liners: While the bacon won’t get as crispy, using air fryer liners or parchment paper will catch all the grease, which means no washing up!
- If you really want non-greasy bacon, place them on a paper towel to soak up excess natural oils.
- Reserve the bacon grease as soon as you remove the bacon strips from the air fryer basket. You can also use an air fryer drip tray.
Storage instructions
To store: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days.
To freeze: You can freeze the cooked bacon in freezer-safe bags for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.
To reheat: Reheat the bacon in a skillet over low-medium heat or the air fryer at 350ºF until warm and crispy.
Frequently asked questions
Yes! To do so, place the frozen bacon in the air fryer and cook at 350°F until it’s defrosted enough for you to separate the slices. Arrange the thawed slices in a single layer and air fry at 400°F to your desired level of crispiness (flipping halfway through).
Some air fryer bacon recipes recommend adding water to the bottom of the air fryer to minimize splatter and smoke. We don’t find it to be a necessary step, as the water can actually do the opposite and cause both of these incidents.
More air fryer breakfast ideas
- Air fryer hash browns
- Air fryer bagels
- Air fryer French toast
- Air fryer cinnamon Rolls
- Air fryer soft boiled eggs
Air Fryer Bacon
Video
Ingredients
- 6 slices bacon
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
- Place the bacon slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry the bacon for 5 minutes or depending on the level of crispiness you want.
- Remove the bacon from the air fryer basket and serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally published July 2023, updated and republished July 2024
Interesting recipe. It should be very crunchy after baking. I could bake them bacon and then put over eggs.
Excellent results