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Learn how to make perfect crispy Air Fryer Bacon. The air fryer is a great mess-free method for cooking bacon. You’ll love the easy cleanup and the awesome taste!
We have been baking bacon in the oven for years which is perfect for large batches. But sometimes you just want a few pieces or don’t want to turn your oven on.
That is where the air fryer comes in!
And if you prefer turkey bacon? Check out our post on Air Fryer Turkey Bacon.
How to Cook Air Fryer Bacon
*I’ll walk you through it here with some photos and tips, and you’ll also find a printable recipe card at the bottom of the post with exact measurements, etc. You can also click “jump to recipe” to skip down.
For a basket-style air fryer, start by lining your basket with parchment (this is the brand of parchment that I use). For an oven-style air fryer, line the tray at the bottom with foil.
Lay your bacon in the basket or on the trays. Depending on the size of the air fryer, you may need to cut the slices to fit. Pro tip: to keep the bacon from curling a lot or flying around, place a wire rack on top of the bacon.
- For bacon that is crispy but not crunchy, cook at 370˚F for 8 minutes, and then flip and cook another 2 minutes.
- For bacon that is extra crispy, bake at 400˚F for 8 minutes. There is no need to flip.
Transfer cooked bacon to a plate lined with paper towels. Drain any accumulated grease after each batch.
How to Store and Reheat
Storing Leftovers: Store fully-cooled leftover bacon in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. I place the bacon on a clean paper towel in the container.
Reheating Leftovers: Reheat bacon in the air fryer at 330˚F for 2 minutes, or in the microwave for 30 seconds.
Freezing Leftovers: Freeze fully cooled leftover bacon in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Reheat using the reheating leftovers method above.
My favorite way to freeze leftover bacon is to wrap it in one layer of paper towels and then place it in freezer-safe silicone bags.
How to Use Bacon
Crumble up some of that delicious meat candy and use it with Air Fryer Omelets, Breakfast Egg Rolls, Cabbage Salad, Instant Pot Potato Soup, Instant Pot Potato Salad, Mini Quiche Appetizers, or Crispy Baked Potatoes.
Or cook it with this Air Fryer Cabbage for an incredible bacon and cabbage dish.
Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
- Each brand and cut of bacon and brand of air fryer is different. Check after 5 minutes of cooking time the first time you make bacon in the air fryer.
- 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, cloves, and orange peels 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.
- There is no need to preheat the air fryer for this recipe.
Air Fryer Bacon
Equipment
Ingredients
- 16 oz Bacon
Instructions
- For a basket-style air fryer, start by lining your basket with parchment.For an oven-style air fryer, line the tray at the bottom with foil.
- Lay your bacon in the basket or on the trays. Depending on the size of the air fryer, you may need to cut the slices to fit.
- To keep the bacon from curling a lot or flying around, place a wire rack on top of the bacon.
- For bacon that is crispy but not crunchy, cook at 370˚F for 8 minutes, and then flip and cook another 2 minutes. Thicker cuts of bacon may take longer.
- For bacon that is extra crispy, bake at 400˚F for 8 minutes. There is no need to flip. Thicker cuts of bacon may take longer.
- Transfer cooked bacon to a plate lined with paper towels
- Drain any accumulated grease after each batch.
Notes
- Each brand and cut of bacon and brand of air fryer is different. Check after 5 minutes of cooking time the first time you make bacon in the air fryer.
- Allow bacon to fully cool before storing in the fridge or the freezer.
- There is no need to preheat the air fryer for this recipe.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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.