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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!

crispy air fryer bacon on a grey plate with a white plate with bacon, eggs, and parsley on a marbled board.
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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.

two photos showing the process of cooking bacon in an air fryer.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need to preheat for cooking bacon in the air fryer?

Nope, there is no need to preheat the air fryer when cooking bacon.

What is the best temperature to air fryer 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.

How long does it take to air fry bacon in an air fryer?

On average, it will take 8-10 minutes for most cuts of bacon. Total cooking time will vary depending on how crispy you prefer your bacon.

Do you have to flip bacon when air frying?

You don’t have to, but if you’re cooking at a lower temperature, I do recommend flipping and then cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes.

how do you keep bacon from splattering in an air fryer?

The fat from some cuts of bacon will splatter while it is cooking. You can place a piece of air fryer parchment on top of the bacon and a wire rack to prevent grease from splattering.

Do not use parchment on top of the bacon without weighing it down first. This is a fire hazard.

How to keep air fryer bacon from smoking?

Bacon cooked at higher temps in an air fryer may smoke during the cooking process.

If you have a basket-style air fryer, place 1-2 pieces of bread (this is a great way to use the heel from a loaf of bread!) in the base of the basket to absorb excess grease.

If cooking multiple batches, drain the grease after you finish cooking each batch.

Do you have to clean an air fryer after making bacon?

Yes! You do not want to allow grease to remain in the air fryer after making bacon.

To make the cleanup easier, you can line the base of the basket with foil for a basket-style air fryer, or the trays in an oven-style air fryer.

Allow the grease to slightly cool in the basket/on the tray and then pour it into a mug lined with foil or an empty tin can. Once the grease has hardened, discard it in the garbage.

If you save bacon grease for cooking, carefully pour lukewarm bacon grease into your preferred container.

Is air fryer bacon healthy?

Kinda. Since the fat drains while it is cooking, your finished product is just a little bit leaner.

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.
cooked bacon on a grey plate.
5 from 1 rating

Air Fryer Bacon

Prep: 2 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 12 minutes
crispy air fryer bacon on a grey plate with a white plate with bacon, eggs, and parsley on a marbled board.
Learn how to make perfect crispy bacon in the air fryer. An air fryer is a great mess-free method for cooking bacon. You'll love the easy cleanup and the awesome taste!

Ingredients 

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

  1. 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.
  2. Allow bacon to fully cool before storing in the fridge or the freezer.
  3. There is no need to preheat the air fryer for this recipe.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 158kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 5gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 250mgPotassium: 75mgVitamin A: 14IUCalcium: 2mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @sustainablecooks or tag #sustainablecooks!

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About Sarah

Helping you serve up budget-friendly sustainable recipes with a side of balanced living.
Come for the food. Stay for the snark.

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2 Comments

  1. 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? 5 stars

    1. Do you have a pressure cooker by any chance? Mealthy makes a lid that converts your electric pressure cooker into an air fryer.