Get ready to revolutionize your breakfast routine with the easiest and cleanest way to cook bacon! Making Air Fryer Bacon is not only incredibly simple but also saves you a significant amount of time on cleanup. All the sizzling grease is contained in one place, making post-cooking tidying up a breeze. In just minutes, you can achieve perfectly crispy, irresistibly delicious bacon that will become your new go-to method.

The Ultimate Guide to Crispy Air Fryer Bacon

There’s arguably no smell more enticing in the morning than that of bacon gently cooking. While pan-frying on the stovetop has its charm, the inevitable splattering grease that coats every nearby surface can quickly turn that joy into a chore. But what if we told you there’s a better way to achieve that golden, crispy perfection without the mess?

Enter the air fryer – your new best friend for bacon preparation! Forget the stovetop mess, the oven’s lengthy preheating, or the microwave’s often disappointing results. Air fried bacon is consistently quick, incredibly easy, and always delivers a fantastic taste and texture that will have you coming back for more.

Using the air fryer for bacon is a true game-changer. It not only cuts down on cooking time but also centralizes all the cleanup, transforming a typically messy task into an astonishingly simple one. Imagine crispy bacon ready in mere minutes, with all the grease neatly contained for effortless disposal.

This method is so efficient that you can easily set aside extra bacon for other meals throughout the day. Pair it with an air fryer baked potato for a delightful lunch, or crumble it over salads for added texture and flavor. The possibilities for enjoying crispy bacon are endless, and the air fryer makes them all more accessible.

Bacon holds a special place in many hearts, sometimes even prompting a giggle for unexpected reasons. For instance, bacon famously outed my relationship with my now-husband! As a vegetarian for over 20 years, I confess I had no idea how to cook bacon when John and I started dating. Thankfully, we’re still together, and I’ve since mastered the art of cooking bacon in various ways, with the air fryer standing out as a clear favorite.

This air fryer bacon recipe promises an incredibly easy cooking experience. No more stressing over flipping individual strips on a hot stovetop or worrying about uneven cooking. We’re confident this will become your new favorite way to prepare perfect bacon, delivering ideal crispiness with minimal fuss.

Why Your Air Fryer is the Best Way to Cook Bacon

Consistent Crispiness Every Time

The air fryer’s powerful convection technology circulates hot air evenly around each strip of bacon. This ensures consistent cooking from all sides, resulting in that coveted crispy texture without any soggy spots or overly burnt edges. Every piece comes out uniformly golden brown and delightfully crunchy, just the way bacon should be.

Effortless and Contained Cleanup

Perhaps the biggest advantage of cooking bacon in an air fryer is the incredibly easy cleanup. Unlike stovetop frying, which sends grease splattering across your countertops and stove, the air fryer keeps all the fat contained within its basket and drip tray. This means less scrubbing, less mess, and more time enjoying your meal.

Speed and Convenience

In our fast-paced lives, saving time in the kitchen is always a win. Air fryer bacon cooks significantly faster than oven-baked methods and requires less hands-on attention than stovetop frying. With most batches ready in under 10-15 minutes, you can have a delicious breakfast on the table in a flash.

Preventing Smoke: A Key to Air Frying Bacon Success

One common concern when cooking high-fat foods like bacon in an air fryer is the potential for smoke. This typically happens when bacon grease accumulates and reaches its smoke point. Fortunately, there are simple and effective ways to prevent your air fryer from smoking:

• **The Bread Trick:** Place a slice of bread (any type works) under the air fryer basket before adding your bacon. The bread will absorb the dripping bacon grease, preventing it from pooling and smoking at the bottom of the air fryer.
• **The Water Method:** Alternatively, you can add a small amount of water (about 1-2 tablespoons) to the bottom of the air fryer drawer, beneath the basket. The water mixes with the rendered fat, lowering its temperature and significantly reducing the chance of smoke.

Regardless of which method you choose, it’s crucial to empty the grease from the air fryer drawer after every batch of bacon. This prevents the fat from bubbling excessively and reaching its smoke point during subsequent cooking cycles. A clean air fryer means less smoke and better-tasting bacon.

Ingredients & Essential Equipment for Air Fryer Bacon

What You’ll Need (Ingredients)

Making epic Air Fryer Bacon requires incredibly simple ingredients. The beauty of this recipe lies in its minimalist approach, letting the bacon’s natural flavors shine!

• Bacon: You can use regular-cut, thick-cut, or even specialty flavored bacon. The cooking time will vary slightly depending on the thickness of your bacon slices.

Essential Kitchen Tools

Having the right tools makes the process even smoother and safer:

• Air Fryer: We highly recommend investing in an air fryer that is slightly larger than you initially think you’ll need. Many users find that once they start cooking with an air fryer, they begin using it for a wider variety of meals and larger quantities, making a bigger model a wise choice.
• Kitchen Tongs: A good pair of kitchen tongs is indispensable for safely removing hot bacon from the air fryer basket without burning your hands.
• Paper Towels: Essential for draining excess grease from the cooked bacon, ensuring maximum crispiness.
• Optional: Aluminum Foil or Parchment Paper: While not strictly necessary, lining the bottom of the air fryer basket (if your model allows and doesn’t impede air circulation) can make cleanup even easier. *Always ensure parchment paper is properly weighted down by food to prevent it from flying into the heating element.*

How to Make Perfect Air Fryer Bacon: Step-by-Step Guide

Achieving perfectly crispy bacon in your air fryer is straightforward. Follow these simple steps for delicious results:

1. Prepare the Air Fryer: Before you begin, if you’re using the bread or water method to prevent smoke, place a slice of bread under the basket or add a tablespoon or two of water to the bottom of the air fryer drawer.
2. Arrange Bacon Strips: Place your bacon strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket. It’s crucial not to overcrowd the basket, as this can lead to uneven cooking and less crisp results. If your bacon strips are too long to fit comfortably, simply cut them in half. This ensures proper air circulation around each piece.
3. Air Fry to Perfection: Cook the bacon at 350°F (175°C). For regular-cut bacon, this typically takes 7-9 minutes. If you’re using thick-cut bacon, you’ll need a bit more time, usually 9-12 minutes. Keep an eye on the bacon during the last few minutes, as cooking times can vary slightly between different air fryer models and desired crispiness levels. You do not need to preheat the air fryer for this recipe, nor do you need to spray the basket with cooking oil, as the bacon will render its own fat.
4. Drain and Serve: Once the bacon has reached your desired level of crispiness, carefully remove it from the air fryer using tongs. Immediately transfer the cooked bacon to a plate lined with paper towels. This will help absorb any excess grease, making the bacon even crispier.
5. Clean Between Batches: If you’re cooking multiple batches of bacon, it’s essential to remove any accumulated oil from the air fryer basket and drawer before starting the next batch. This prevents smoking and ensures consistent results.

Expert Tips for the Crispiest Air Fryer Bacon

• No Preheating Required: For this specific recipe, we find that preheating the air fryer isn’t necessary. The bacon cooks perfectly well starting from a cold basket.
• Skip the Cooking Spray: There’s no need to spray the inside of your air fryer basket with cooking oils. Bacon releases plenty of its own grease, which prevents sticking and makes removal easy.
• Adjust for Softer Bacon: If you prefer your bacon a bit less crispy and more pliable, simply reduce the cooking time by a couple of minutes.
• Batch Cooking Considerations: Keep in mind that every subsequent batch of bacon you cook will likely cook a bit quicker than the one before it, as the air fryer retains residual heat. You’ll need to slightly reduce the cooking time for each successive batch to prevent overcooking.
• Regular Grease Disposal: It’s crucial to clean out the bacon grease in between batches to prevent it from burning and smoking.
• Understand Smoke Points: The smoke point of bacon fat is generally around 400°F (204°C), though some sources suggest it can be as low as 325°F (163°C). Being mindful of your air fryer’s temperature settings and performing regular grease removal will help avoid smoking.
• Cut to Fit: If your bacon strips are too long to lay flat in a single layer in your air fryer basket, don’t hesitate to cut them in half. This ensures proper air circulation around each piece, which is key to even cooking and crispiness.
• Post-Cooking Clean-up: Once your air fryer has completely cooled down, take a moment to wipe down the interior with a paper towel or damp cloth. This removes any grease that may have splattered inside, keeping your appliance clean and ready for its next use.
• Sweet & Savory Treat: For a delightful twist, check out our recipe for Brown Sugar Bacon Candy. You can easily adapt your cooked air fryer bacon slices into these irresistibly sweet and savory treats!
• Nutrition Information: Please note that nutrition information, including calories, protein, calcium, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamin C, potassium, cholesterol, sodium, trans fat, monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, and more, will vary significantly depending on the specific brand and type of bacon products used.

Air Fryer Bacon: Storage & Reheating

Make Ahead

This Air Fryer Bacon recipe is so wonderfully quick and easy that we generally recommend making it fresh to order. You’ll have perfectly crispy bacon slices in just a few minutes, making it ideal for immediate enjoyment.

Storage

If you have any leftover cooked bacon, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will remain fresh and delicious for up to five days.

Freezing/How to Freeze

For longer storage, cooked bacon slices can be frozen. Place them in an airtight, freezer-safe container. To prevent sticking, you can separate individual pieces with a layer of parchment paper or paper towel. Frozen bacon is best enjoyed within one month for optimal quality.

How to Reheat

The best way to reheat your cooked Air Fryer Bacon is, unsurprisingly, in the air fryer itself! A few minutes at a moderate temperature will bring it back to crispy perfection.

Recipe Variations for Every Palate

While classic bacon is always a hit, the air fryer opens up possibilities for various adaptations to suit different tastes and dietary needs:

• Substitutions: This air frying method works beautifully with other types of bacon, including turkey bacon for a leaner alternative or plant-based veggie bacon for those avoiding meat.
• Vegetarian Option: To make this recipe vegetarian, simply replace traditional bacon with a high-quality meat-free bacon alternative available in most grocery stores.
• Vegan Option: For a fully plant-based meal, opt for a vegan bacon substitute. Many brands offer delicious plant-based strips that crisp up wonderfully in the air fryer.
• Gluten-Free: Most unflavored bacon is naturally gluten-free. However, it’s always a good practice to check the product label for a “gluten-free” certification to ensure it’s safe for a gluten-free diet, especially with flavored or cured varieties.
• Smaller Serving Size + Larger Group/More Servings: The amount of bacon you can prepare at once depends entirely on the size of your air fryer basket. Remember, for optimal crispiness, bacon must be cooked in a single layer without overlapping. If cooking for a larger group, you’ll need to cook in batches. As noted, each subsequent batch will likely cook faster due to residual heat, so adjust your cooking time accordingly.
• Sugar-Free: If sugar content is a dietary concern, always review the nutrition label on your bacon package to ensure it is sugar-free. Some cured bacon products may contain added sugars.
• Spicy Kick: For those who love a bit of heat, sprinkle a pinch of red pepper flakes or a generous grind of black pepper over the bacon strips before air frying.

Delicious Ways to Serve Air Fryer Bacon

Whether you’re crafting a breakfast of champions, enhancing a savory lunch, or adding a crispy element to dinner, versatile bacon is universally loved and appears in all sorts of meals! Here are some fantastic menu pairing suggestions to inspire you:

Breakfast & Brunch Sides

• Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole
• Easy Pancake Muffins
• Muffin Mix Pancakes
• Air Fryer Sausage Links
• 3 Ingredient Sausage & Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls
• Air Fryer Frozen Hashbrowns
• Air Fryer Toaster Strudel
• Sausage Breakfast Biscuit Cups
• Bacon Gravy

Main Dishes Featuring Bacon

• Sausage Biscuit & Gravy Casserole
• Eggnog French Toast
• Crock Pot Cheese Grits
• Crock Pot Ham & Cheese Grits
• Crockpot Breakfast Casserole
• Pulled Pork Breakfast Hash
• Ham & Cheese Breakfast Casserole
• CopyCat Egg McMuffin
• Eggs in a Basket

Desserts (for the adventurous!)

While not traditionally paired with bacon, some savory-sweet desserts can be elevated with crispy bacon bits.

• Raspberry Coffee Cake
• Cinnamon Rolls with Apple Pie Filling Cobbler
• Lemon Dutch Baby
• CrockPot Cinnamon Monkey Roll Bread
• Bisquick Blackberry Cobbler

When to Serve Air Fryer Bacon

• Classic Breakfast Spread
• Weekend Brunch Gatherings
• Quick Lunch Side
• Dinner Accompaniment (e.g., crumbled over soup or baked potatoes)
• As a delicious salad topper
• The star ingredient in a perfect BLT sandwich
• Chopped into casseroles, quiches, or frittatas
• Wrapped around appetizers like dates or shrimp

More Great Air Fryer & Breakfast Recipes

Discover More Air Fryer Delights:

• Air Fryer Frozen Pancakes
• Air Fryer Frozen Hashbrowns
• Air Fryer Chickpeas
• Check out all of our Air Fryer Recipes for more inspiration!

Start Your Day Right with These Breakfast Recipes:

Make sure to check out all of our recipes with bacon for even more inspiration!

• Bisquick Blueberry Muffins
• Eggnog Oatmeal
• Cinnamon Sugar Crescent Rolls
• Greek Frittata

Do you love discovering new recipes? Be sure to explore our collection of copycat recipes, indulgent dessert recipes, and our convenient CrockPot Recipes. There’s something for every craving!

Follow Tammilee Tips on MSN, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for all our latest recipe posts and culinary adventures.

Air Fryer Bacon

How to make crispy air fryer bacon in minutes. Ready in less than 10 minutes with easy cleanup.

Print Recipe

Prep Time: 2 minutes

Cook Time: 9 minutes

Total Time: 11 minutes

Servings: 6

Calories: 92 kcal

Author: Tammilee Tips

Ingredients

• 6 slices Bacon (Regular or Thick-Cut)

Instructions

1. Place bacon strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Ensure they are not overlapping for best results.
2. Air fry at 350°F (175°C). For regular bacon, cook for 7-9 minutes. Thick bacon will need 9-12 minutes to reach desired crispiness.
3. Carefully remove bacon from the air fryer and place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess grease.
4. Before cooking another batch, remove any oil that has accumulated in the air fryer basket or drawer to prevent smoking.

Kitchen Tools

• Air Fryer
• Kitchen Tongs

Nutrition Facts

Nutrition Facts
Air Fryer Bacon

Amount Per Serving

Calories 92 (Calories from Fat 81)

% Daily Value*

Fat 9g (14%)

• Saturated Fat 3g (19%)
• Trans Fat 1g

Cholesterol 15mg (5%)

Sodium 146mg (6%)

Potassium 44mg (1%)

Carbohydrates 1g (0%)

Protein 3g (6%)

Vitamin A 8IU (0%)

Calcium 1mg (0%)

Iron 1mg (6%)

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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