This air fryer bacon recipe is a quick and easy way to make crispy, golden bacon without standing over a hot skillet. The hot circulating air helps the bacon cook evenly while much of the rendered fat collects below the basket.
Regular-cut bacon can be ready in about 8–10 minutes, while thick-cut bacon usually needs a little longer. Because every air fryer cooks slightly differently, start checking your bacon near the end and adjust the time until it reaches your favorite level of crispiness.
Quick Recipe Information
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 8–10 minutes
Total Time: 10–12 minutes
Servings: 4
Temperature: 350°F / 175°C
For softer bacon, check it a little earlier. For extra-crispy bacon, add another minute at a time while watching it closely.
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Bacon Recipe
- Quick and easy to prepare
- Crispy edges with great texture
- Only one main ingredient
- Less stovetop splatter
- Easy to adjust the crispiness
- Perfect for breakfast, sandwiches, burgers, salads, and more
Ingredients
You only need:
- 8 slices of bacon
Regular-cut and thick-cut bacon can both be cooked in the air fryer.
Regular bacon cooks faster and usually becomes crisp more quickly. Thick-cut bacon has a meatier texture and needs a few extra minutes.
There is no need to add cooking oil because bacon already contains plenty of fat.
How to Cook Bacon in the Air Fryer
1. Prepare the Air Fryer
Make sure the air fryer basket and grease-catching area are clean before cooking.
If your air fryer manufacturer recommends preheating, follow those instructions. Otherwise, you can usually start this recipe with a cold basket.
2. Arrange the Bacon
Place the bacon strips inside the air fryer basket in a mostly single layer.
A little touching is fine, but avoid piling several strips directly on top of each other because this can prevent even cooking.
If the bacon strips are too long for your air fryer, cut them in half.
3. Cook at 350°F
Air fry regular-cut bacon at 350°F (175°C) for about 8–10 minutes.
Start checking it around the 6- or 7-minute mark because some air fryers cook faster than others.
4. Check the Crispiness
Remove the bacon earlier if you prefer it softer.
For extra-crispy bacon, continue cooking in 1-minute intervals until it reaches the texture you like.
Keep in mind that bacon becomes slightly firmer as it cools.
5. Remove Carefully
Use tongs to transfer the cooked bacon to a paper-towel-lined plate.
Be careful because the basket and rendered bacon grease will be very hot.
Air Fryer Bacon Time and Temperature
Use these times as a general guide:
Regular-cut, softer bacon:
350°F — about 6–8 minutes
Regular-cut, crispy bacon:
350°F — about 8–10 minutes
Thick-cut bacon:
350°F — about 10–12 minutes
Thick-cut, extra crispy bacon:
350°F — about 12–14 minutes
Cooking times are approximate. The exact time depends on the thickness of the bacon, the amount you are cooking, the size of the basket, and your air fryer model.
The first time you make bacon in your air fryer, check it early so you can learn how quickly your machine cooks.
Regular Bacon vs. Thick-Cut Bacon
Regular-cut bacon cooks faster because the slices are thinner.
If you are using regular bacon, start checking it around 6–7 minutes.
Thick-cut bacon takes longer because the slices are heavier and contain more meat and fat.
For thick-cut bacon, begin checking around 10 minutes and continue cooking until it reaches your preferred texture.
Avoid using exactly the same cooking time for every type of bacon.
How to Get Crispy Air Fryer Bacon
For crispy bacon without burning it, follow these simple tips.
Don’t Overcrowd the Basket
The hot air needs room to circulate around the bacon. If your basket is small, cook the bacon in batches.
Check It Early
Bacon can become very crispy quickly during the last few minutes of cooking.
Use Similar-Sized Pieces
Bacon strips with a similar thickness are more likely to finish cooking at the same time.
Add Cooking Time Gradually
If the bacon is not crispy enough, add another minute and check again.
It is better to add time gradually than to overcook the bacon.
How to Reduce Smoke When Cooking Bacon
Bacon releases a significant amount of fat as it cooks, and some air fryers may produce smoke when cooking fatty foods.
These tips can help reduce the problem:
- Start with a clean air fryer.
- Avoid overcrowding the basket.
- Keep an eye on grease buildup.
- Clean accumulated grease safely between batches when necessary.
- Keep the basket and grease-catching area clean.
- Follow the instructions provided by your air fryer manufacturer.
Never pour water into hot bacon grease.
Different air fryer models are designed differently, so always follow the safety recommendations for your specific appliance.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Overcrowding the Basket
Too much bacon at once can reduce airflow and cause uneven cooking.
Using the Same Time for Every Type of Bacon
Thin bacon and thick-cut bacon cook at different speeds.
Not Checking Near the End
Bacon can go from perfectly crispy to overcooked quickly.
Letting Too Much Grease Accumulate
If you are cooking several batches, check the grease-catching area between batches.
Using an Unnecessarily High Temperature
Higher temperatures do not always mean better bacon. Cooking around 350°F gives you more control over the final texture.
Storage and Reheating
Allow leftover cooked bacon to cool, then place it in an airtight container and refrigerate it promptly.
For best quality, use refrigerated cooked bacon within about 4 days.
How to Reheat Bacon in the Air Fryer
Place the cooked bacon in the air fryer and heat it at about 350°F for 1–3 minutes.
Check it frequently because you only need to warm it and bring back some of the crispiness.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Bacon
Crispy air fryer bacon is perfect with:
- Scrambled eggs
- Fried eggs
- Pancakes
- Waffles
- Breakfast sandwiches
- Avocado toast
- Burgers
- BLT sandwiches
- Salads
- Baked potatoes
- Breakfast wraps
You can also crumble cooked bacon over soups, casseroles, vegetables, or mac and cheese.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does bacon take in an air fryer?
Regular-cut bacon usually takes about 8–10 minutes at 350°F for a crispy texture.
Thick-cut bacon may need around 10–14 minutes.
Always start checking early because air fryer models vary.
What temperature should I cook bacon in the air fryer?
For this recipe, 350°F (175°C) is a good starting temperature.
It allows the bacon fat to render while giving you control over the final crispiness.
Do I need to flip bacon in an air fryer?
Usually, flipping is not necessary because hot air circulates around the bacon.
However, if your air fryer cooks unevenly, you can turn the bacon halfway through cooking.
Can I cook thick-cut bacon in an air fryer?
Yes.
Thick-cut bacon works well in the air fryer, but it needs a few extra minutes compared with regular-cut bacon.
Start checking it around 10 minutes.
Why does my air fryer smoke when cooking bacon?
Bacon releases a lot of fat while cooking.
Grease buildup or leftover food residue can sometimes create smoke inside an air fryer.
Starting with a clean appliance and safely removing excess grease between batches can help.
Can I cook frozen bacon in an air fryer?
It is easier to get even results if the bacon is thawed enough to separate the individual strips before cooking.
If you cook from frozen, the bacon may require additional time.
How do I make bacon extra crispy?
Cook the bacon until it is nearly finished, then continue cooking in 1-minute intervals until it reaches your preferred crispiness.
Watch it carefully near the end so the edges do not burn.
Crispy Air Fryer Bacon Recipe
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 8–10 minutes
Total Time: 10–12 minutes
Servings: 4
Temperature: 350°F / 175°C
Ingredients
- 8 slices regular-cut bacon
Instructions
- Make sure the air fryer basket and grease-catching area are clean.
- Arrange the bacon in a mostly single layer.
- Air fry at 350°F for 8–10 minutes.
- Start checking the bacon around 6–7 minutes.
- Remove it earlier for softer bacon.
- For extra-crispy bacon, continue cooking in 1-minute intervals.
- Carefully remove the bacon with tongs.
- Transfer it to a paper-towel-lined plate before serving.
Recipe Notes
- Thick-cut bacon may need approximately 10–14 minutes.
- Cooking times vary between different air fryer models.
- Avoid overcrowding the basket.
- Cook in batches if necessary.
- Check the bacon frequently during the final few minutes.
- Bacon will become slightly firmer as it cools.
Enjoy Your Crispy Air Fryer Bacon
Once you learn the best cooking time for your air fryer, making crispy bacon becomes quick and simple. Serve it with breakfast, add it to sandwiches and burgers, or crumble it over your favorite dishes.
Start checking the bacon early and adjust the final minute or two until it is exactly as crispy as you like.
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