Perfectly Crispy Air Fryer Bacon

Welcome to the ultimate guide for making perfectly crispy bacon in your air fryer! Forget the splatters, the greasy mess, and the endless waiting of traditional methods. In just about 10 minutes, you can achieve deliciously crisp bacon that’s ready to elevate any meal. This Air Fryer Bacon recipe is not just quick and easy; it’s a revolutionary way to enjoy one of life’s simple pleasures, delivering impeccable results with minimal fuss. Prepare to be amazed at how simple it is to transform humble bacon slices into golden, crunchy perfection.

Why the Air Fryer is the Ultimate Way to Cook Bacon

If you haven’t fully embraced the air fryer phenomenon yet, preparing bacon in it is guaranteed to convert you. This method isn’t just a trend; it’s a game-changer for anyone who loves perfectly cooked bacon without the usual hassle. Here’s why cooking bacon in your air fryer will become your new favorite routine:

• Unmatched Crispiness: The air fryer utilizes powerful circulating hot air to cook food from all angles, mimicking the crisping effect of deep frying but with significantly less oil. This ensures every slice of bacon achieves a consistent, delightful crispness, from end to end, without any soggy spots.
• Incredibly Fast: Say goodbye to long preheating times for your oven or constantly tending to a skillet. The air fryer heats up rapidly, allowing you to go from raw bacon to crispy perfection in as little as 10-12 minutes. This speed makes it ideal for busy mornings or when you need a quick addition to your meal.
• Minimally Messy: One of the biggest drawbacks of pan-frying bacon is the inevitable grease splatters that coat your stovetop and surrounding areas. The air fryer’s enclosed basket contains these splatters, channeling the rendered fat into a drip tray below. This significantly reduces cleanup time and keeps your kitchen spotless.
• Reduced Smoking: Bacon can often produce smoke, especially when cooked at high temperatures on a stovetop. Air frying at 350°F (175°C) is typically below bacon’s smoking point, which helps minimize smoke production, keeping your kitchen air clear and fresh.
• Effortless Process: Once the bacon is in the basket, the air fryer does most of the work. There’s no need to constantly flip slices or adjust burner temperatures. It’s a truly “set it and forget it” method, freeing you up to prepare other components of your meal.
• Consistent Results Every Time: The even heat distribution within the air fryer basket ensures that each slice of bacon cooks uniformly, eliminating burnt edges and undercooked middles. You’ll achieve perfect results batch after batch.

I personally use my Cosori Dual Blaze 6.8 quart air fryer, and it consistently delivers crispy, delicious bacon in about 10 minutes. The convenience and quality are simply unbeatable!

How to Cook Bacon in the Air Fryer: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

Cooking bacon in your air fryer is straightforward, even for beginners. Follow these simple steps for perfectly cooked, crispy bacon every time:

• Step 1: Prepare the Bacon
  Begin by carefully arranging your bacon slices in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. For optimal cooking and to ensure no overlapping, you may need to cut longer slices of bacon in half. The key is to prevent any slices from overlapping, as this will lead to uneven cooking and less crisp results.
• Step 2: Set Your Air Fryer
  Close the air fryer basket securely. There’s no need to preheat your air fryer for bacon, as it heats up quickly and cooks efficiently from a cold start. Select the “air fry” setting and set the temperature to 350°F (175°C).
• Step 3: Begin Cooking and Monitor
  Set the timer for 10 minutes. Around the 8-minute mark, it’s a good idea to check on the bacon. Thinner slices of bacon may be perfectly cooked and crispy by this time. If you’re using thicker-cut bacon or prefer it extra crispy, you might need to add an additional 2-5 minutes to the cooking time. Always monitor closely to prevent burning.
• Step 4: Remove and Drain Excess Grease
  Once your bacon has reached your desired level of crispiness, carefully remove it from the air fryer basket using tongs. Transfer the cooked bacon slices onto a plate lined with a few layers of paper towels. This will help absorb any excess rendered grease, ensuring your bacon remains perfectly crisp and not oily.
• Step 5: Repeat for Additional Batches (if needed)
  If you’re cooking a larger quantity of bacon, you will need to cook it in batches. Before starting a new batch, it’s highly recommended to carefully wipe out any accumulated grease from the bottom of the air fryer basket. This prevents the grease from burning and potentially causing smoke during subsequent cooking cycles.

Essential Tips for Achieving Perfect Air Fryer Bacon

While air frying bacon is incredibly simple, a few expert tips can elevate your results from good to absolutely perfect:

• Always Arrange in a Single Layer: This is the most crucial tip. Overlapping bacon slices will steam instead of crisp, leading to unevenly cooked and chewy bacon. Give each slice its space to ensure maximum contact with the hot circulating air.
• No Need to Preheat: Unlike ovens, air fryers heat up very quickly. Adding bacon to a cold air fryer basket won’t negatively impact the cooking process and actually saves you time and energy.
• Manage Rendered Fat: Bacon, especially regular or thick-cut varieties, will release a significant amount of fat. Placing cooked bacon on a plate lined with paper towels immediately after cooking is essential to soak up this excess grease and maintain crispiness. For multiple batches, consider carefully pouring out excess fat from the bottom of the air fryer basket between cycles to prevent smoking.
• Customize Your Crispiness: Cooking times can vary slightly depending on the thickness of your bacon and your air fryer model. Start with the recommended 10 minutes, but check frequently towards the end. If you prefer extra crispy bacon, add another 1-3 minutes until it reaches your desired texture.
• Consider Bacon Type: Regular-cut bacon cooks perfectly in 10-12 minutes. If you’re using thick-cut bacon, you’ll likely need to add an extra 2-5 minutes to the cooking time to ensure it cooks through and achieves that desired crispness. Turkey bacon can also be air fried following the same method, often requiring similar cooking times.
• Prevent Bacon from Flying: Occasionally, lighter, thinner bacon slices might fly up and stick to the air fryer’s heating element. To prevent this, you can place a small, air-fryer-safe metal rack or another piece of parchment paper (lightly weighed down with a few toothpicks) on top of the bacon during the initial minutes of cooking.
• For Even Easier Cleanup: While not strictly necessary, lining the bottom of your air fryer basket with parchment paper (ensure it’s designed for air fryers and has holes for airflow) can make cleanup even quicker. Just be sure the parchment paper is adequately covered by the bacon slices to prevent it from flying up and hitting the heating element.

Versatile Recipes Using Crispy Air Fryer Bacon

Once you’ve mastered the art of perfectly crispy air fryer bacon, the culinary possibilities are endless! Bacon isn’t just for breakfast anymore; it’s a fantastic ingredient that adds a smoky, savory crunch to a myriad of dishes. Here are some inspiring ways to incorporate your freshly made bacon:

• Classic Breakfast & Brunch: Serve alongside fluffy hash browns, scrambled eggs, pancakes, or waffles for a quintessential morning meal.
• Sensational Salads: Crumble crispy bacon over any salad for an instant upgrade. It’s particularly delicious in a classic Cobb salad, a hearty spinach salad, or this vibrant Creamy Pea Salad with Bacon.
• Mouthwatering Sandwiches & Wraps: Elevate a simple BLT into an unforgettable sandwich. Add it to club sandwiches, chicken wraps, or even a gourmet grilled cheese.
• Hearty Soups & Stews: Use crumbled bacon as a garnish for creamy tomato soup, loaded potato soup, or a comforting lentil stew.
• Flavorful Pastas & Sides: Mix it into pasta dishes, sprinkle over baked potatoes, or add to roasted vegetables. Try this delightful Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad for your next potluck.
• Irresistible Appetizers & Dips: Bacon can be the star of many party snacks. Consider these savory options: Bacon Guacamole or a rich Cheddar Bacon Ranch Dip.
• Burgers & Pizzas: Add a crispy layer of bacon to your favorite burger or use it as a savory topping for homemade pizzas.

Explore More Air Fryer Delights

The air fryer is a versatile kitchen appliance, perfect for more than just bacon! If you enjoyed the ease and efficiency of making bacon, you’ll love exploring these other fantastic air fryer recipes:

If you enjoy this recipe and try it, please share your thoughts in the comments below! We’d love to hear your feedback and ratings.

Air Fryer Bacon

Author: Anna

Make this Air Fryer Bacon in just 10 minutes! It’s a quick, easy, and mess-free process, resulting in perfectly crispy bacon ready to be served!

5 from 3 votes

Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 10 mins

Total Time 15 mins

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Servings 4 servings

Calories 183 kcal

Ingredients

• 8 slices regular bacon

Instructions

1. Place bacon slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cut them in half if needed to ensure no overlapping.
2. Close the air fryer and select the “air fry” setting.
3. Set the temperature to 350° F (175°C) and the timer for 10 minutes. Begin checking the bacon around the 8-minute mark, especially for thinner slices which may be done. Adjust time as needed for desired crispiness.
4. Once cooked, carefully remove the bacon from the air fryer and place it on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess grease.
5. If cooking more bacon, repeat the process. Remember to wipe out any accumulated grease from the air fryer basket between batches to prevent smoking.
6. Enjoy your perfectly crispy air fryer bacon!

Notes

• For the crispiest results, always ensure bacon slices are placed in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Overlapping will lead to steaming rather than frying.
• If bacon slices are too long for your air fryer, cut them in half before arranging them in the basket. This helps ensure even cooking and allows for proper air circulation.
• This method works wonderfully for various types of bacon. You can cook turkey bacon following the same process, adjusting the time slightly if needed based on thickness.
• For thick-cut bacon, you will typically need to add an additional 2 to 5 minutes to the cooking time to achieve the desired level of crispness. Always monitor closely.
• Nutrition values provided are estimates and can vary significantly based on the brand and type of bacon used. For precise dietary information, please consult a calorie counter you are familiar with or refer to the specific product’s nutritional label.

Nutrition

Calories: 183kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 291mg | Potassium: 87mg | Vitamin A: 16IU | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 1mg