Learn how to make perfect Air Fryer Bacon each and every time. It’s a great method for cooking bacon that is mess and fuss-free. You’ll love the easy cleanup and the awesome taste!
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Perfectly crispy bacon is a true pleasure in life. And now that you can make it in the air fryer, your mornings just got so much easier. And more delicious.
We have been baking bacon in the oven for years which is perfect for large batches and is an important component of our easy healthy meal prep. But sometimes you just want a few pieces and don’t want to even turn your oven on. That is where the air fryer comes in!
Is Air Fryer Bacon Healthier?
Yes. Since the fat drains while it is cooking, your finished product is just a little bit leaner. Prefer turkey bacon? Check out our post on Air Fryer Turkey Bacon.
How to Keep Your Air Fryer From Smoking
Some models will smoke when certain foods are cooked. There are four ways to prevent this from happening:
- If your basket has two parts (one part removable and one part solid), add a bit of water to the solid basket.
- Line your fryer basket with parchment specifically designed for an air fryer (this is the one I used).
- If your basket has two parts, put a piece of bread in the solid basket, under the wire basket. The bread will absorb any grease that might accumulate.
- If cooking multiple batches, drain the grease after you finish cooking each batch.
How to Cook Air Fryer Bacon
*You’ll find a detailed and printable recipe card at the bottom of this post
Start by lining your basket with parchment (this the brand I used). Lay your bacon as flat as possible. If you have a smaller fryer, it may crinkle up a bit. That’s ok! Pro tip: if you want your bacon to be absolutely flat, cut the meat to fit the basket and add a wire trivet to the top.
If you want it crispy but not crunchy, cook at 370 degrees F for 8 minutes, and then flip and cook another 2 minutes. If you want it extra crispy, bake at 400 degrees for 8 minutes. There is no need to flip. Drain any accumulated grease after each batch.
Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
- Each brand and cut and air fryer is different. Check after 5 minutes of cooking time the first time you make it.
- You may need to cut the pieces in half before cooking if your basket is small.
- Hate the smell of your kitchen after cooking bacon? Combine water, ground cinnamon, and a splash of almond extract in a small saucepan and let it simmer on the stove. You can also use a slow cooker on low if you’d like it to simmer all day.
- Allow it to fully cool before storing in the fridge or the freezer.
- Store cooked bacon in an air-tight container in the fridge for a week or up to three months in the freezer. For the freezer, wrap it in a paper towel and then store in freezer storage. I love these reusable bags from Stasher.
- There is no need to preheat the air fryer for this recipe.
How to Use it
Crumble up some of that delicious meat candy and use it with Breakfast Egg Rolls, Kale Chopped Salad With Bacon, Whole30 Potato Soup, Instant Pot Potato Salad, Mac and Cheese Egg Rolls, Mini Quiche Appetizers, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes, or Crispy Baked Potatoes.
Or cook it with this Air Fryer Cabbage for an incredible bacon and cabbage dish.
More Great Breakfast Recipes/Kitchen Hacks
- Whole30 Breakfast Sausage
- Air Fryer Toast
- 32 Easy Make-Ahead Breakfast Recipes
- Instant Pot Egg Bites
- Paleo Muesli
- Easy Instant Pot Breakfast Recipes
- Fluffy Whole Wheat Pancake Recipe
- Easy Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
Air Fryer Bacon
Ingredients
- 16 oz Bacon
Equipment
Instructions
- Line the fryer basket with parchment.
- Lay your bacon as flat as possible. If you have a smaller fryer, it may crinkle up or overlap a bit.
- For crispy but not crunchy: cook at 370 degrees F for 8 minutes, and then flip and cook another 2 minutes.
- For extra crispy: bake at 400 degrees for 8 minutes. There is no need to flip. Drain any accumulated grease after each batch.
Notes
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I’m so torn on getting an air fryer. I think I would use it, but do I really need another appliance in my small kitchen?
Do you have a pressure cooker by any chance? Mealthy makes a lid that converts your electric pressure cooker into an air fryer.