Yes, You Can Cook Bacon in an Air Fryer! The air fryer offers a simple and quick way to prepare bacon that has less fat, perfect crispiness, and all that in under 10 minutes making cleanup a breeze.
Who doesn’t dread standing over a pan of sizzling bacon on the stove? Oven-cooked bacon seemed like the solution, but air frying is now my go-to method. It’s faster and easier to clean than cooking on the stove or in the oven.
Which Bacon Works The Best?
All you need is your preferred type of bacon – thick or thin, streaky bacon, back bacon, classic or peppered, or cured and uncured bacon. Turkey bacon is also an option.
How Long To Cook Bacon in an Air Fryer?
The cooking time for bacon in an air fryer depends on the desired level of crispiness and the thickness of the bacon. Generally, you can follow these guidelines for cooking bacon in an air fryer:
- Regular Cut Bacon: For chewy bacon, cook at 350°F (175°C) for 6 minutes; for crispy bacon, air fry for 8 minutes.
- Thick-Cut Bacon: For chewy bacon, cook at 350°F (175°C) for 8 minutes; for more crispy bacon, cook for 10-11 minutes.
Keep in mind that cooking times may vary slightly based on your air fryer model, and it’s always a good idea to check on the bacon during the first few tries to find the perfect cook time for your preference.
Monitor your air fryer closely during the first few tries to ensure your bacon doesn’t overcook. Once you’ve determined the perfect cook time for your bacon and air fryer, you won’t need to check on it constantly.
How To Cook Bacon in an Air Fryer?
I absolutely love cooking bacon in my air fryer, and I’m excited to share with you how easy and hassle-free it can be. First, grab your favorite bacon, whether it’s thick-cut, regular, or even turkey bacon. I personally like streaky bacon rashers, but you can use whichever type you prefer.
Now, let’s get started!
Place the bacon strips in a single layer in the basket of your air fryer. Depending on the size of your air fryer basket, you may need to cut the strips to fit properly. No need to preheat the air fryer; just set it to 350°F (175°C).
For regular-cut bacon, cook it for 6 minutes if you like it soft or 8 minutes for that irresistible crispiness. If you’re using thick-cut bacon like I sometimes do, cook it for 8 minutes for soft bacon and 10-11 minutes for a delightful crispy texture.
Top Tip: To avoid smoking, when cooking bacon in an air fryer, place a slice of bread, air fryer-specific parchment paper or aluminum foil, or rock salt in the lower pan or basket to effectively catch and absorb excess grease.
When your bacon has reached the desired level of doneness, remove it from the air fryer basket and put it on a plate lined with paper towels to soak up any excess grease. But I am telling you, this air fryer bacon comes out really lean already anyway, as all the fat just drips off to the bottom of the cooking basket.
Top Tip: Maintain a clean air fryer when cooking multiple bacon batches by removing accumulated grease from the basket between each batch, preventing unwanted smoking and flare-ups.
I like to serve it up with some fluffy scrambled eggs or avocado toast or make a BLT for a delicious and satisfying breakfast.
Enjoy your perfectly cooked, less greasy, and super convenient air fryer bacon!
Read Also: How To Cook Large Quantities Of Bacon (3 Easy Methods).
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Air Fryer Bacon Recipe (Perfectly Crispy)
1
servings1
minute6
minutes110
kcal7
minutesTired of cleaning up grease splatters? Let’s talk air fryer bacon. It’s crispy, delicious, and so much cleaner. Plus, it’s healthier too! Ready to revolutionize your bacon game? Below are the simple steps for how to cook bacon in an air fryer.
Keep the screen of your device on
Ingredients
3 slices of bacon
(thick cut, regular cut, streaky bacon, or back bacon work great)
Directions
- Place bacon strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cut strips if necessary for smaller baskets.
- Cook at 350°F for 6-8 minutes for regular bacon, 8-10 minutes for thick-cut bacon, or until desired crispiness is achieved. Add 1-2 minutes for extra.
Recipe Video
Notes
- Single-layer arrangement: Arrange the bacon in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overlapping. This ensures even cooking and crispiness.
- Check on the bacon halfway through: Keep an eye on the bacon during the cooking process, and rearrange the strips if needed to ensure even cooking.
- Use tongs: Tongs are helpful for handling hot bacon and rearranging the strips during the cooking process.
- Clean the air fryer between batches: If you’re cooking multiple batches of bacon, make sure to remove the accumulated grease from the air fryer basket between batches to avoid smoking or flare-ups.
- Prevent smoking: To prevent smoking while cooking bacon in the air fryer, add a cup of water or a slice of bread to the lower pan to catch and absorb the grease. You can also use air fryer-specific parchment paper or add rock salt to the bottom of the basket to absorb the grease.
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FAQs
Can I cook frozen bacon in an air fryer?
You can certainly cook frozen bacon in an air fryer. Start by placing the frozen bacon in the air fryer basket and setting the temperature to 350°F (175°C) for 5 minutes, flipping the bacon halfway through to ensure even defrosting. Once defrosted, separate the bacon slices, and cook at 350°F (175°C), and cook for 6-8 minutes or until it reaches your desired level of crispness. You may also need to cook the bacon in batches if your air fryer basket is not large enough to accommodate all the slices at once.
Do I need to preheat the air fryer before cooking bacon?
You don’t necessarily need to preheat the air fryer before cooking bacon, as it will still cook evenly without preheating. However, when cooking a second batch, the air fryer will already be hot, which may result in faster cooking times. In this case, it’s a good idea to start checking the bacon a bit earlier than the recommended cooking time to avoid overcooking.
How do I clean the air fryer after cooking bacon?
To clean an air fryer after cooking bacon, allow it to cool, remove the basket or tray and wash it with degreasing dish soap and warm soapy water. Scrub off any gunk with a soft-bristled brush and rinse well. Wipe down the bottom interior and exterior with a damp cloth or paper towel, then replace the basket or tray. If your air fryer is dishwasher-safe, place the removable parts upside down on the top rack.
Storing Leftover Bacon
To store leftover air fryer bacon, let it cool, then layer the strips between parchment or wax paper. Place in an airtight container or resealable bag and refrigerate for up to 4-5 days or freeze for up to a month. Reheat in the air fryer for 4-6 minutes or another method to restore crispiness.
Read Also: Making Hard Boiled Eggs In An Air Fryer – Useless Hack Or Game Changer?
To Conclude
I hope you found these tips helpful for cooking up some crispy bacon in your air fryer. As someone who’s a huge fan of bacon (who isn’t?), I gotta say using an air fryer has been a total game-changer for me. Not only does it cook the bacon perfectly every time, but it’s also super easy to clean up afterward.
So go ahead and give it a try! And if you have any questions or other air fryer tips you’d like to share, feel free to drop them in the comments below. Happy cooking!