Cooking bacon in the air fryer is so incredibly easy, with the perfect result every time. The bacon turns out crispy and flavorful, but there’s minimal mess and smoke while air frying!
I have to say, I’m loving my air fryer more and more every day. Not only does it air fry the perfect chicken breast, but bacon? I’m such a fan. Not only is there minimal mess (no splattering of grease!) and barely any smoke, the bacon also comes out absolutely perfectly every time.
I think it has something to do with the even heat all around, and the grease draining off as the bacon cooks – it just works!
How to air fry bacon
1. Place a single layer of bacon in the basket of your preheated air fryer.
2. Cook the bacon, flipping halfway through, until crispy.
3. If you’re cooking more than one batch, place the finished bacon on a paper towel lined plate to drain off any extra grease.
place bacon in air fryer basket flip halfway through cook until crispy drain on paper towels
Recipe tips
- Make sure to stick to a single layer of bacon. I have a 5.5 quart Corsori air fryer, and I can fit about 6 slices of bacon in the basket.
- Check on your bacon regularly towards the end of the cooking time, and remove it as soon as it is well-browned and fully crispy. Depending on the exact thickness of your slices, the air frying time may vary a little.
- If you are cooking several batches, make sure to de-grease your air fryer between each batch: Drain the grease, wipe the basket and grease tray with paper towels. If you experience smoking, check your air fryer’s user manual for cleaning the inside of your air fryer – grease left on the heating element may cause smoking.
Serving ideas
Bacon is such a great brunch dish – loved by everyone and great with sweet or savory dishes. My family loves a few pieces of bacon with pancakes, waffles or French toast; or as a side for egg dishes and hash browns, toast or breakfast potatoes.
This way of cooking bacon is also wonderful to use over crumbled over a salad or as a risotto garnish. We also enjoy it sprinkled over homemade creamed corn!
PS If you try this recipe, please leave a review in the comment section – I appreciate your feedback! Follow along on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram. Sign up for my email list, too!
Air Fryer Bacon
Recipe details
Ingredients
- ½ pound thin-cut/regular bacon see notes for thick-cut bacon
Instructions
- Pre-heat air fryer on hottest setting for 5 minutes.
- Carefully place a single layer of bacon in hot air fryer basket (my 5.5 quart basket holds 6-8 slices, depending on their size).
- Air fry bacon at 350°F for 5 minutes. Flip, then cook at 350°F for another 2-4 minutes, until desired crispness is reached (check regularly during second cooking interval and remove bacon as soon as it is done to your liking).
- If cooking several batches, drain grease from air fryer drip tray and thoroughly wipe off all grease from basket and tray between batches; in order to keep your air fryer from developing smoke.
Notes
Recipe tips
- Make sure to stick to a single layer of bacon. I have a 5.5 quart Corsori air fryer, and I can fit about 6-8 slices of bacon in the basket.
- Thick-cut bacon needs about 10-12 minutes of total cooking time.
- Check on your bacon regularly towards the end of the cooking time, and remove it as soon as it is well-browned and fully crispy. Depending on the exact thickness of your slices, the air frying time may vary a little.
- If you are cooking several batches, make sure to de-grease your air fryer between each batch: Drain the grease, wipe the basket and grease tray with paper towels. If you experience smoking, check your air fryer’s user manual for cleaning the inside of your air fryer – grease left on the heating element may cause smoking.
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