Bacon in the Air Fryer
Bacon in the air fryer delivers perfectly crispy, evenly cooked bacon in just minutes without the mess. This game-changing technique uses hot circulating air to render fat beautifully while developing that ideal savory crunch bacon lovers crave.
Ingredients
- 8-12 slices of bacon regular cut works best, though thick-cut is possible with timing adjustments
- Optional: black pepper brown sugar, or maple syrup for flavoring variations
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 2-3 minutes. This ensures even cooking from the moment you add the bacon.
- Arrange bacon in a single layer in your air fryer basket. It’s okay if pieces touch slightly, but avoid overlapping them completely as they won’t cook evenly. Depending on your air fryer size, you may need to cook in batches.
- Cook for 8-10 minutes, checking at the 6-minute mark for doneness. Exact timing depends on your bacon thickness and desired crispiness. Thicker bacon may require up to 12 minutes.
- Open and check your bacon halfway through cooking. If your bacon is cooking unevenly, rearrange or flip the slices for more consistent results.
- Transfer the cooked bacon carefully using tongs to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess grease. The bacon will crisp up slightly more as it cools.
- Pour off the bacon grease from the bottom of your air fryer into a heat-safe container to save for cooking (optional) or dispose of once cooled.
- Clean your air fryer according to manufacturer’s instructions once it has cooled completely. Most have dishwasher-safe components for easy cleanup.
Notes
- For less smoke, add 1-2 tablespoons of water to the bottom of your air fryer drawer beneath the basket.
- If making flavored bacon, apply seasonings like brown sugar or black pepper before cooking, pressing them gently into the meat so they adhere.
- You can cook frozen bacon directly in the air fryer—just add 3-4 minutes to the cooking time and separate the slices before adding them.
- For extra crispy bacon, cut slices in half crosswise before cooking—the smaller pieces crisp up more thoroughly.
- Some air fryers cook hotter than others—know your machine and adjust accordingly. First-timers should check frequently.