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No more standing, flipping, and checking – skip the stovetop, and make Air Fryer Bacon instead! This easy method gives you all the crispy goodness you love, without the hassle.
Take your meals to the next level by serving this easy-to-make crispy bacon over a chef salad or crumbling it on top of crack chicken soup for a burst of crunchy texture and juicy flavor.
I’m a crockpot fan, an Instant Pot gal, and a grilling enthusiast, but lately, I’m starting to think my air fryer might just be my true love! My latest air fryer discovery is this simple method for cooking bacon. It’s not difficult to cook bacon on the stove or in the oven – both work just fine – but it’s so great to set it and forget it when you’re making breakfast, you know? I am just especially thrilled with the quick, foolproof, and mouthwateringly crispy and savory results of air fried bacon!
How Long Does It Take To Air Fry Bacon?
To air fry thick-cut bacon, it should take 8 to 10 minutes at 400˚F. However, if you’re using thinner bacon, it won’t take as long. Also, since different air fryers cook at slightly different speeds and temperatures, you may need to adjust the time by a minute or two per side. Just keep an eye on it at first, until you get the hang of your Air Fryer’s temperatures.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make this recipe, you only need one ingredient—bacon! I like to use thick-cut bacon, but you can use any style, cure, or flavor. Don’t worry about cooking spray for this—bacon doesn’t need any.
How To Make Air Fryer Bacon!
Okay, let’s get down to business. How exactly do you cook bacon in the air fryer, as opposed to a regular skillet cooking method? It’s surprisingly similar, just easier and faster, AND splatter-less! Here’s the skinny:
- Prep. To begin, preheat your Air Fryer to 400˚F. Peel the bacon strips apart and arrange them in the air fryer basket. You can only cook a single layer of bacon at a time, so you may need to cook in batches if you are making a lot or if you have a very small air fryer.
- Fry! Cook the bacon strips for 4 minutes. Then flip the strips (a pair of tongs is helpful for this) and cook for another 4 to 5 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy but not burned or dry.
- Drain and Serve. Transfer the cooked bacon to a paper-towel lined plate to drain slightly, and serve warm.
Recipe Tips
- No Smoke: If you are concerned that the bacon grease may smoke in your air fryer, try slipping a slice of bread into the bottom of the air fryer to catch it.
- No Cooking Spray: Unlike most other ingredients, bacon doesn’t need any oil or cooking spray to air-fry. Just line it up and cook it!
- Batch Cooking: If you are making more than a few servings, you’ll need to cook the bacon in batches. Empty the excess grease (careful, it’s very hot!) in between batches.
- Use Tongs: To get the bacon out of the air fryer, or to flip it with ease, it’s helpful to reach in with a pair of non stick tongs.
Serving Suggestions
Air fried bacon is a natural side for breakfast and brunch dishes – I love to make this recipe for a crowd and serve it next to these delicious sheet pan eggs. Do a brunch spread and serve air fryer bacon with my delicious Western omelette and these cottage cheese pancakes. If you’d like something extra festive, don’t forget the mimosas.
Serve bacon for lunch or dinner, along with spicy rigatoni vodka and a creamy broccoli salad made with crunchy broccoli. Crumble in some bacon for texture and flavor. Make a sandwich with bacon, lettuce, and tomato on your favorite bread or flatbread. Try a little honey mustard sauce drizzled over it for a more exciting meal.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
To store, cool the cooked bacon down and then place the strips in a plastic food storage bag, or an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 5 days. Reheat leftover bacon in the air fryer, oven, or in a skillet over low heat.
To freeze, place cooled cooked bacon in a freezer bag, mark with the date, and freeze for up to 6 months. For best results, press out as much air as you can before you seal the bag.
Easy Air Fryer Recipes
- Crispy Air Fryer Buffalo Shrimp
- Air Fryer Potato Chips
- Crispy Air Fryer Onion Rings
- Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
- Air Fryer Meatballs
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Air Fryer Bacon
Ingredients
- 4 to 6 slices thick cut bacon
Instructions
- Arrange bacon inside the air fryer basket in one single layer.
- Set the Air Fryer to 400˚F.
- Cook for 4 minutes; flip the bacon and continue to cook for 4 to 5 more minutes, or until crispy.
- Remove bacon from the basket and transfer to a paper-towel lined plate.
- Serve.
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
What about the grease splatter on the walls and bottom of the unit???? Too much clean up. Iโll stick to my mess free perfect bacon cooked in my microwave.
Not sure what kind of air fryer you have, but how do you get splatter on the walls if you’re cooking the bacon in an enclosed unit? I have a double-basket Air Fryer, and all I do is put the baskets on the top rack in the dishwasher, which takes care of the mess.
This is my new favorite way to cook bacon!! It’s really perfect every time! Thank you!
Best way to cook bacon! I’d love to try this, yum!
I hope you’ll enjoy it! Thank YOU! ๐
Love how easy is to cook bacon in the air fryer! Must make!
Please enjoy! Thank YOU! ๐
That bacon is cooked perfectly! I cannot wait to try this!
I hope you enjoy it! Thank YOU! ๐
I LOVE the idea of being able to cook bacon without all the spatter to clean up. I can’t wait to try this.
I hope you love it! Thank YOU! ๐
This is so convenient. I love how easy the air fryer makes things!
Please enjoy! Thank YOU! ๐
The best easy to make bacon! Perfect every time!
Thank YOU! Please enjoy! ๐
This has definitely become my new favorite way to cook bacon! Couldn’t be easier and turned out perfect crisp and juicy; love it!
That’s great! I’m very happy you loved it! Thank YOU! ๐