Home-cooked bacon is often saved for leisurely weekend mornings, but this air fryer bacon recipe changes that. In about 10 minutes you can have evenly cooked, delightfully crispy bacon with far less mess, grease, and smoke than traditional methods. This quick and reliable technique is perfect for busy mornings, meal prep, or whenever you want great bacon without the fuss.
Why I Love This Method
- Consistently delivers crispy bacon without burning
- Quick: typically 6–10 minutes depending on thickness, with no hands-on time
- A great low‑carb breakfast or brunch choice
- Less cleanup than pan-frying
- Minimal smoke and odor in the kitchen
- A convenient, space-saving alternative to oven or stovetop cooking
Favorite
Air Fryer
Choose a reliable air fryer with enough basket space to hold strips in a single layer. A mid-sized model works well for most households.
What Kind of Bacon Works Best?
You can use any bacon you like: thin, medium, thick, turkey, or plant-based alternatives. The method is versatile — just adjust the cook time by thickness:
- Thin: 6–7 minutes
- Medium: 8 minutes
- Thick: 9–10 minutes
How to Cook Bacon in the Air Fryer
Preheat
Preheat the air fryer to 350ºF (175ºC). This temperature produces crisp bacon without charring. Higher temperatures can cook too aggressively and may create smoke or burnt edges.
Prep & Arrange
While the air fryer is preheating, trim or slice strips in half if needed so they fit the basket. Lay bacon in a single layer with a little space between strips — slight overlapping is okay because bacon shrinks as it cooks. Avoid stacking strips; good air circulation ensures even, quick cooking.
Tip: After each batch, carefully pour out or wipe away excess grease from the bottom of the air fryer pan to reduce smoke for subsequent batches.
Cook
Air fry the bacon for the recommended time based on thickness. Flip the strips with tongs halfway through to promote even browning. For extra crispiness, add 30–90 seconds at the end, watching closely so it doesn’t burn.
Note: Air fryers vary by model. For your first time, stay nearby and check progress so you can fine-tune timing for your appliance and preferred crispness.
Dietary Swaps & Variations
This technique works for all types of bacon: pork, turkey, maple-glazed, smoked, dry-rubbed, or plant-based alternatives. For sweet or glazed varieties, watch the final minute closely so sugars don’t burn. For leaner options, reduce cook time slightly and monitor until the desired texture is reached.
What to Serve With It
- Scrambled eggs and toast
- Pancakes with fresh fruit
- Breakfast strata or savory galette
- Breakfast burritos, sandwiches, or a BLT
- Crumble over salads or add to soups for extra flavor
Storage & Reheating Notes
Store cooled cooked bacon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For freezing, place cooled strips in a freezer-safe bag, remove as much air as possible, and freeze up to 3 months.
Reheating: The easiest way to reheat bacon is in the microwave. Place strips on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a paper towel, and heat on high for 60–90 seconds or until hot. For crispness, reheat briefly in the air fryer at 350ºF for 1–2 minutes.
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
- Sweet & sour chicken
- Apple fritters
- French toast bites
- Air fryer broccoli
- Steak bites
- Baked potatoes
FAQ
No. The air fryer’s circulation cooks bacon evenly without added water.
Cut strips in half so they lay flat. Keep them in a single layer and avoid stacking to ensure even cooking and crispness.
Air Fryer Bacon Recipe
Let the air fryer do the heavy lifting. Perfectly crispy bacon in under 10 minutes with minimal cleanup.
By: Lee Funke
Prep: 5 mins Cook: 10 mins Total: 15 mins Servings: 2
Ingredients
- 3 strips of bacon (any thickness)
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 350ºF (175ºC).
- Slice each strip of bacon in half if necessary so they fit in a single layer in the basket. Slight overlap is acceptable as strips will shrink when cooked.
- Air fry at 350ºF for:
- Thin bacon: 6–7 minutes
- Medium bacon: 8 minutes
- Thick bacon: 9–10 minutes
- Flip bacon with tongs halfway through cooking. Add 30–90 seconds at the end for extra crispness if desired, watching closely to avoid burning.
Tips & Notes
- If cooking multiple batches, remove or wipe out excess grease between batches to reduce smoking and improve safety.
- For glazed or sweet bacon, watch the final minute so sugar does not scorch.
- Adjust times slightly based on your air fryer model and personal preference for doneness.
Nutrition (approximate)
Calories: 120 kcal • Carbohydrates: 0 g • Protein: 6 g • Fat: 11 g • Fiber: 0 g • Sugar: 0 g