Air fryer bacon recipe fans already know the biggest perk. No grease splatter across your stovetop, no standing over a hot pan flipping strips every minute.
Just crisp edges, a tender center, and a basket that catches the fat for you.
This method works for a quick weekday breakfast or a big batch for a weekend brunch spread.
I make this same Bacon and Eggs Breakfast Recipe combo at least twice a week, and the air fryer bacon is what gets it on the table so fast.
| Quick Recipe Summary | |
|---|---|
| Prep Time | 2 minutes |
| Cook Time | 8 minutes |
| Total Time | 10 minutes |
| Servings | 4 servings (about 8 slices) |
| Difficulty Level | Easy |
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Bacon Recipe
This recipe takes the guesswork out of cooking bacon.
You get consistent results every time, with edges that turn deeply golden and a center that stays juicy instead of rubbery.
It also frees up your stovetop for eggs, pancakes, or hash browns while the bacon cooks itself in the drawer below.
- Ready in about 10 minutes total, with almost no hands-on work
- No grease splatter on your stovetop or backsplash
- Excess fat drains away, so the bacon is crispier and less greasy
- Easy cleanup, since the grease collects in one spot
- Works for small batches or a full pound cooked in stages
Another favorite for busy mornings: Air Fryer Eggs Recipe.
Ingredients
The beauty of this recipe is how short the ingredient list is. You really only need one thing, plus an optional pinch of seasoning if you want it.
- 1 pound thick cut applewood smoked bacon (or regular cut, see notes below)
- 1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper (optional)
Read Also: Air Fryer Turkey Thighs Recipe
Kitchen Equipment Needed
You do not need much special gear for this one. A good basket-style air fryer and a decent pair of tongs will get you through the whole recipe.
- Digital air fryer with basket (5-quart or larger recommended)
- Silicone-tipped kitchen tongs
- Paper towels, for draining
- Aluminum foil (optional, for easier cleanup between batches)
The same basket-style setup is what makes my Air Fryer French Fries Recipe turn out so crisp.
Recommended Products for This Recipe
These are a few products I personally use and recommend for getting the best results with air fryer bacon.
None of these are required, but they make the process smoother.
1. Thick Cut Applewood Smoked Bacon
Thick cut bacon holds up better in the air fryer than thin sliced bacon, since it has more time to crisp before it dries out.
The applewood smoke flavor also comes through more clearly once the fat renders down.
2. Flat Bacon Press
A flat metal bacon press keeps the strips from curling up as they cook, which means more even browning across the whole slice.
It is a small tool, but it makes a noticeable difference in how the bacon looks once it is done.
3. Air Fryer Parchment Liners
These perforated liners sit under the bacon and catch stray grease without blocking airflow, so cleanup takes seconds instead of minutes.
I keep a box of these on hand for every air fryer recipe I make, not just bacon.
4. Silicone-Tipped Kitchen Tongs
Metal tongs can scratch a nonstick air fryer basket over time, so silicone-tipped tongs are the safer choice.
They also grip the bacon firmly enough to flip it without tearing the strips.
Another kitchen favorite worth trying next: Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries Recipe.
Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make Air Fryer Bacon
1. Prepare the Bacon
- Remove the bacon from its packaging and gently separate the strips if they are stuck together.
- If your air fryer basket is on the smaller side, cut the strips in half crosswise so they fit without overlapping.
- Pat the strips lightly with a paper towel if they feel especially wet or sticky from the packaging.
- There is no need to preheat the air fryer for this recipe. Starting from cold actually helps the fat render more evenly before the bacon crisps.
2. Arrange the Bacon in the Basket
- Lay the bacon strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure the edges do not overlap.
- If you are using a bacon press, set it on top of the strips now to keep them flat while they cook.
- Sprinkle the optional cracked black pepper evenly over the strips if you are using it.
- If you have more bacon than fits in one layer, plan to cook it in batches rather than stacking the strips.
3. Air Fry the Bacon
- Set the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Cook regular cut bacon for 7 to 9 minutes, or thick cut bacon for 10 to 12 minutes.
- Check the bacon around the halfway mark. If your air fryer browns unevenly, flip the strips with your tongs at this point.
- Watch closely during the last 2 minutes, since bacon can go from perfectly crisp to burnt quickly once the fat has mostly rendered.
4. Drain and Rest the Bacon
- Once the bacon reaches your desired level of crispiness, use tongs to transfer the strips to a paper towel lined plate.
- Let the bacon rest for 1 to 2 minutes. It will continue to firm up slightly as it cools.
- Blot the tops of the strips gently with another paper towel to remove any extra surface grease.
5. Clean Up Between Batches
- Carefully pour the rendered bacon fat out of the bottom of the air fryer into a heatproof container.
- Wipe out the basket and drawer with a paper towel before starting the next batch.
- Repeat the cooking process with the remaining bacon, adjusting the time down slightly since the air fryer is already warm.
Read Also: Air Fryer Turkey Tenderloin Recipe
Tips for The Best Air Fryer Bacon
A few small details make the difference between good air fryer bacon and great air fryer bacon. Keep these in mind as you cook.
- Do not overcrowd the basket. Overlapping strips cook unevenly and take longer to crisp.
- Start at a lower temperature like 350 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid smoke, since bacon grease starts smoking around 325 to 400 degrees depending on the brand.
- Save the rendered bacon fat in a jar in the fridge. It is fantastic for cooking eggs or roasting potatoes later, the same trick I use for my Crockpot Maple Bacon Baked Beans Recipe.
- Check your bacon a minute or two before the timer ends the first time you make this, since every air fryer runs slightly differently.
- Never discard hot bacon grease down the sink. Let it cool completely first.
Read Also: Air Fryer Turkey Cutlets Recipe
Serving Suggestions
Air fryer bacon fits into almost any meal of the day, not just breakfast. Here are some of my favorite ways to serve it.
- Crumbled over a loaded baked potato or salad
- Stacked into a classic BLT sandwich
- Served alongside scrambled eggs and toast
- Wrapped around asparagus spears or dates as an appetizer
- Layered into a breakfast burrito with eggs and cheese
Another favorite: Air Fryer Turkey Meatloaf Recipe
Variations of Air Fryer Bacon
Once you have the basic method down, it is easy to switch things up depending on what you are in the mood for.
- Candied bacon: Brush the strips with maple syrup and a pinch of brown sugar during the last 2 minutes of cooking
- Peppered bacon: Coat the strips generously in coarse black pepper before cooking
- Turkey bacon: Cook at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 6 to 8 minutes, checking often since it crisps faster than pork bacon
- Spicy bacon: Sprinkle a light dusting of cayenne pepper or chili flakes before air frying
- Frozen bacon: Cook straight from frozen at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, adding about 3 extra minutes and separating the strips as they thaw
Read Also: Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe
Storage and Reheating
Leftover air fryer bacon keeps surprisingly well, which makes this a great recipe to batch cook for the week ahead.
- Store cooled bacon in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days
- Freeze cooked bacon flat on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 2 months
- Reheat in the air fryer at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 2 to 3 minutes until warmed through
- You can also reheat leftovers in a skillet over medium heat for about a minute per side
- Avoid microwaving if you want to keep the crispy texture, since it tends to soften the bacon
It reheats just as nicely as leftover Chicken and Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Potatoes.
Nutritional Facts
These values are approximate and will vary depending on the brand of bacon and the number of slices per serving.
- Calories: about 80 per 2 slices
- Protein: about 6 grams per 2 slices
- Fat: about 6 grams per 2 slices
- Sodium: about 260 milligrams per 2 slices
- Carbohydrates: 0 grams per 2 slices
For another bacon-forward dish with the numbers laid out, check out: Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Cheese.
Health Benefits of Key Ingredients
Bacon is often thought of as an indulgence, but it does offer some nutritional value when eaten in moderation.
Cooking it in the air fryer also helps reduce the total fat content compared to pan frying.
- Bacon is a good source of protein, which helps keep you full through the morning
- It contains B vitamins, including B1, B2, B3, B6, and B12, which support energy metabolism
- Air frying allows a significant amount of fat to drain away during cooking, compared to pan frying in its own grease
- Black pepper, if you use it, contains antioxidants and may support digestion
Read Also: Breakfast Burritos Recipe
FAQs About Air Fryer Bacon
1. Do I need to preheat the air fryer before cooking bacon?
No, preheating is not necessary for this recipe. Starting the bacon in a cold air fryer actually gives the fat more time to render slowly before the strips crisp up.
2. Why does my air fryer smoke when I cook bacon?
Smoking usually happens when the temperature is too high or when grease from a previous batch is left sitting in the drawer.
Cooking at 350 degrees Fahrenheit and pouring out the fat between batches should solve most smoking issues.
3. Can I cook frozen bacon in the air fryer?
Yes, you can cook bacon straight from frozen. Just add a few extra minutes to the cook time and gently separate the strips with tongs as they begin to thaw.
4. Do I need to flip the bacon halfway through cooking?
It depends on your air fryer model.
Some machines circulate air well enough to brown both sides evenly, while others benefit from a flip around the halfway mark, similar to how I handle timing in my Bacon Wrapped Dates Recipe.
5. How do I clean my air fryer after cooking bacon?
Let the grease cool completely, then pour it into a heatproof container for disposal or storage.
Wipe down the basket and drawer with a paper towel, and wash with warm soapy water if any residue remains.
Air Fryer Bacon
Ingredients
- 1 pound thick cut applewood smoked bacon or regular cut; about 8 slices
- 1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper optional
Equipment
- Digital air fryer with basket 5-quart or larger recommended
- Silicone-tipped kitchen tongs
- Paper towels for draining
- Aluminum foil optional, for easier cleanup between batches
- Flat bacon press optional, keeps strips from curling
- Air fryer parchment liners optional, perforated for airflow
- Heatproof container for draining bacon fat
Method
- Remove bacon from packaging and separate strips. Cut in half crosswise if needed to fit your basket without overlapping. Pat dry with paper towel if very wet.
- Lay strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket with no overlapping. Place bacon press on top if using. Sprinkle with black pepper if desired.
- Set air fryer to 350°F. Cook regular cut for 7-9 minutes or thick cut for 10-12 minutes. Flip halfway through if your air fryer browns unevenly. Watch closely during last 2 minutes.
- Transfer cooked bacon to a paper towel lined plate using tongs. Let rest 1-2 minutes to firm up. Blot tops with another paper towel to remove excess grease.
- Pour rendered fat into a heatproof container between batches. Wipe basket and drawer with paper towel before starting next batch. Repeat with remaining bacon, reducing time slightly since air fryer is already warm.
Nutrition
Notes
- Do not overcrowd the basket. Overlapping strips cook unevenly and take longer to crisp.
- Start at 350°F to avoid smoke, since bacon grease starts smoking around 325-400°F depending on the brand.
- Save the rendered bacon fat in a jar in the fridge for cooking eggs or roasting potatoes later.
- Check your bacon a minute or two before the timer ends the first time you make this, since every air fryer runs slightly differently.
- Never discard hot bacon grease down the sink. Let it cool completely first.
- For candied bacon: brush strips with maple syrup and a pinch of brown sugar during the last 2 minutes of cooking.
- For turkey bacon: cook at 350°F for 6-8 minutes, checking often since it crisps faster than pork bacon.
- To cook frozen bacon: cook straight from frozen at 350°F, adding about 3 extra minutes and separating strips as they thaw.
- Store cooled bacon in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Freeze flat for up to 2 months.
- Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes or in a skillet over medium heat for about a minute per side.
Private Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Conclusion
Air fryer bacon has genuinely changed how often I make bacon on a weekday morning.
It is fast, it is easy to clean up, and the texture beats what I used to get from a skillet.
Give this method a try the next time you have a package of bacon in the fridge.
I would love to hear how it turns out for you in the comments below, and feel free to share this recipe with anyone who still thinks bacon has to mean a greasy stovetop mess.
Recommended:
- Pancakes Recipe
- Hash Browns Recipe
- Easy Breakfast Recipes
- Eggs Benedict with Hollandaise Sauce
- Air Fryer Turkey Bacon Recipe
