Air-fried Bacon is ready in 10 minutes and always comes out perfectly crispy! Thanks to the air fryer, there’s virtually no clean-up or greasy splatters.
Add this bacon to your brunch menu along with these Creamy Southern Deviled Eggs and this Ham and Cheese Strata.
In This Post
Bacon cooked in the air fryer is downright delicious! I can’t get enough of its crispy goodness and always reach for another piece. I love air fryer recipes, and it wasn’t until recently that I thought to cook bacon in one.
Air Fry Bacon AKA The Best Way To Cook Bacon
- This bacon can be cooked exactly how you like (more or less crispy)!
- It’s fast to make, cooking in just 10 minutes!
- There is no mess to clean up when you cook bacon in the air fryer – let me say that again, no mess from bacon grease!
- It’s the best way to make bacon for Million Dollar Dip and Stuffed Baked Potatoes.
What You Need To Make The Best Crispy Bacon
- Bacon – Buy good bacon. I look for lean bacon with just the right amount of fat-to-meat ratio.
- Water – This is a trick I picked up a while back. Add ¼ cup of water to the bottom of the air fryer basket to minimize smoking.
Variations And Substitutions
- If you have a sweet tooth, add a little brown sugar and pepper to make an air-fried version of my Candied Bacon Recipe.
- Swap turkey bacon for pork bacon for a leaner option.
How To Cook Bacon in The Air Fryer
- Place the bacon in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 8 minutes at 360 degrees.
- Check the bacon halfway through, rearranging it as needed. Be sure to check the time notes below for how long to cook different cuts of bacon.
- When the bacon is done, let it cool on a paper towel to drain any excess grease off.
Cooking Times By Cuts Of Bacon
You can use any bacon that you like. Cooking times will vary, though.
- Regular sliced bacon – 8 to 10 minutes.
- Thick-cut bacon – 10 to 13 minutes.
- Turkey bacon – I have not tested turkey bacon in the air fryer. I would start with the regular sliced bacon time and temperature if you prefer it to regular bacon.
Donya’s Tips For Cooking In The Air Fryer
- Make sure your air fryer is well-vented. Never put it up against a backsplash or wall.
- Check the bacon at about the midway point. If it curls up, you can reposition it for the remainder of the cooking time.
- Adjust the cooking time to how you like your bacon, whether soft or super crispy.
- Place the bacon in a single layer. If you have trouble fitting it in, cut the pieces in half.
- Clean your air fryer after using it. Once it has cooled, I like running a soft, damp towel over the inside and coils to remove grease.
Commonly Asked Questions
No, I’ve never needed to add it. Plus, parchment paper is lightweight so if any portion isn’t held down the blasts of hot air tend to push it off the basket or tray of the air fryer.
There are several brands of air fryers on the market. I use a basket-style air fryer. I’ve been using it for over a year and absolutely love it. It’s easy to set the temperature and time, plus clean-up is almost non-existent since the basket goes into the dishwasher. A toaster oven style that takes up a little more space but allows you to cook most recipes in one batch.
Leftovers can be kept in the fridge for up to 5 days in an airtight container. To reheat them, briefly pop them in the air fryer or oven to crisp up.
What To Serve With This Crispy Air Fryer Bacon Recipe
Crispy bacon pairs well with toasted bread, eggs, and other breakfast foods. It can also be used as a topping for salads or sandwiches. It’s also delicious in a BLT pasta salad, or on avocado toast.
More Air Fryer Recipes To Make
If you tried this Air Fryer Bacon Recipe or any other recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 5 slices bacon
Instructions
- Place bacon strips into the basket of the air fryer in a single layer and slide into the air fryer.
- Set heat to 360 degrees and timer for 8 minutes. Cook bacon, checking at the halfway mark. Rearrange bacon slices if they've moved during cooking. For crispier bacon, add additional cook time.
- When bacon is done, remove the pieces to drain and cool on paper towels. Serve or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Nutrition
Want To Know More About Air Frying?
If you are new to cooking with an Air Fryer or just don’t know where to start, I’ve got something to help. I’ve put together a helpful guide with tips and recipes to get you using the Air Fryer like a pro!
Donya's Top Ten Summer Recipes!
Steal my favorites for a done-for-you menu that packs in the flavor
Been air frying my bacon since I first got my air fryer over 2 years ago and I love it. I also do baked potatoes, roasted corn on the cob, hamburger patties, steak, rotisserie chicken cookies, cakes and just about anything else I can get into my air fryer. I have an air fryer oven now, but my first one was a small one with a basket and I almost immediately got the air fryer oven so I could do even more in it. Ah, well I have run off at the mouth long enough, but just wanted to let you know how much I love and look forward to your newsletter and your wonderful recipes.
Thank you for all your hard work.
Claudine in Fort Worth, TX
Hey there Claudine!
Wow! Thank you so much for your incredible rating and your sweet words, I always love hearing from my SouthernSoul family! I am so happy to hear you liked this recipe, and I completely agree with you that the Air Fryer is great for cooking just about anything. I’ve never used the Air Fryer Oven before but I can imagine how nice that extra space would be. If you liked this recipe, you should check out the Air Fryer Chicken Wings recipe on my site, it’s one of my favorites. Thank you so much for your support, I hope you have a great labor day weekend!
~Donya