Enjoy perfectly cooked, crispy bacon without the stovetop mess by using your air fryer! This guide will show you How To Cook Bacon In Air Fryer quickly and easily, achieving that irresistible crispiness every time. Air fryer bacon is not only faster than traditional methods but also results in less grease splatter and simpler cleanup.
I’m a big fan of using my air fryer for cooking various meals for my family. From achieving incredibly crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders to perfectly golden Air Fryer French Fries, the air fryer’s rapid hot air circulation is a game-changer in the kitchen. When it comes to breakfast, especially bacon, the air fryer truly shines.
My first experience with air fryer bacon was years ago, and I was instantly hooked. The texture is phenomenal – it’s undeniably the crispiest bacon you’ll ever have! You’ll love how the edges curl up and become wonderfully wavy, indicating that perfect extra crispiness we all crave.
Cooking bacon in the air fryer is significantly less messy compared to pan-frying it on the stovetop. Plus, it’s even quicker than baking bacon in the oven. Not only does it cook faster, but you also skip the preheating time of a conventional oven. And the best part? Cleanup is incredibly easy!
This air fryer bacon recipe is a game changer! So easy and the bacon comes out perfectly crispy every time.
- Happy Air Fryer Bacon Enthusiast
Avoiding Smoke When Cooking Bacon in Air Fryer
While cooking bacon in an air fryer is straightforward, one common concern is smoke. To prevent your bacon from burning or smoking in the air fryer, it’s crucial to cook it at a temperature below the smoke point of bacon grease. Through testing various temperatures, I’ve found that 350°F (175°C) is the optimal temperature for cooking bacon in an air fryer. Some recipes suggest adding water or bread to the air fryer basket to catch grease and prevent smoking, but I’ve found that maintaining a lower cooking temperature is generally sufficient to avoid smoke.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Cook Bacon in Your Air Fryer
1. Prepare the Bacon:
Begin by laying the bacon slices in the air fryer basket. If the bacon slices are too long to fit without bending excessively, simply cut them in half. It’s perfectly fine if the slices are touching, but ensure they are not overlapping or stacked on top of each other to allow for even cooking and crisping.
2. Air Fry the Bacon:
Set your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and air fry for 8 to 15 minutes. The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of your bacon and your desired level of crispiness.
3. Drain Excess Grease:
Once cooked to your liking, carefully transfer the crispy bacon slices to a plate lined with paper towels. This helps to absorb any excess bacon grease, ensuring maximum crispiness. Now it’s ready to serve and enjoy!
How Long to Air Fry Bacon: Finding Your Perfect Crisp
The cooking time for air fryer bacon can vary, typically ranging from 8 to 15 minutes at 350°F (175°C). This range is due to several factors that influence how quickly bacon cooks in an air fryer:
- Bacon Thickness: Thick-cut bacon will naturally require more cooking time compared to thin-cut slices to reach the same level of crispiness.
- Air Fryer Model: Different air fryer models can have slight variations in cooking power and heat circulation. It’s always a good idea to keep an eye on your bacon during cooking and adjust the time as needed for your specific air fryer.
- Personal Preference: If you prefer your bacon extra crispy and well-done, you’ll want to cook it for closer to the 15-minute mark. For softer, chewier bacon, aim for the shorter end of the cooking time range.
Essential Tips for Cooking Bacon in Air Fryer
- Cook in a Single Layer: Always arrange bacon in a single layer in the air fryer basket. If you need to cook a larger amount, do it in batches. Remember to pour out the accumulated grease from the air fryer basket between batches to prevent smoking and ensure even cooking.
- Optimal Temperature: 350°F (175°C): Sticking to 350°F is crucial. Cooking at higher temperatures greatly increases the risk of the bacon grease smoking and potentially burning the bacon before it gets crispy.
- Cleaning Your Air Fryer: After cooking bacon, cleaning your air fryer is simple. First, carefully pour out the bacon grease that has collected at the bottom of the air fryer basket (once cooled slightly, you can save this for cooking later!). Then, wash the basket and any removable parts with warm, soapy water. For the base unit, once it’s cooled down, wipe the inside with a damp cloth to remove any grease splatters.
Storing and Reheating Cooked Bacon
If you happen to have leftover air fryer bacon (though it’s so delicious, leftovers are rare!), you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, the air fryer is again your best friend! Reheat the bacon at 350°F (175°C) for just a few minutes until it’s heated through and crispy again. You can also reheat it quickly in the microwave if needed.
Delicious Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer Bacon
Bacon is incredibly versatile and elevates so many dishes! Here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy perfectly cooked air fryer bacon:
- Classic Breakfast: Serve alongside scrambled eggs, fried eggs, or a fluffy omelet. It’s also perfect with pancakes, waffles, or French toast for a brunch feast.
- Burger and Sandwich Upgrade: Add crispy bacon to burgers, BLTs, club sandwiches, or grilled cheese for an extra layer of flavor and texture.
- Salad Topping: Crumble air fryer bacon over salads like Caesar salad, spinach salad, or wedge salad for a salty, crunchy contrast.
- Baked Potato Bar: Set up a baked potato bar with toppings like cheese, sour cream, chives, and of course, crispy bacon bits.
- Pasta and Casseroles: Incorporate bacon into pasta dishes like carbonara or sprinkle it on top of casseroles before baking for added richness.
- Deviled Eggs: Garnish deviled eggs with crumbled bacon for a classic appetizer with a smoky twist.
Explore More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
Want to discover more delicious and easy air fryer recipes? Check out my full collection of Air Fryer Recipes for more inspiration!
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Air Fryer Bacon Recipe
Servings: 8 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 17 minutes
Author: Kristine Rosenblatt
This Air Fryer Bacon recipe delivers the crispiest bacon you’ve ever had! It’s incredibly fast, simple to make, and requires no flipping. Enjoy it with your breakfast favorites, as a topping for baked potatoes, or in countless bacon-centric recipes.
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Ingredients
- 8 slices bacon
Instructions
- Arrange bacon slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don’t overlap. Cut slices in half if necessary to fit. Cook bacon in batches if needed for larger quantities.
- Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 8-15 minutes, depending on your desired crispiness. Thicker bacon will take longer.
- Remove bacon and place on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess grease. If cooking another batch, pour grease from the air fryer before proceeding.
Recipe Notes
- Adjust bacon quantity as needed, cooking in batches for larger amounts.
Nutrition Information (per serving, estimate)
Calories: 92kcal, Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 15mg, Sodium: 146mg, Potassium: 44mg, Vitamin A: 8IU, Calcium: 1mg, Iron: 1mg
Nutritional information is an estimated value.
Cuisine: American
Course: Breakfast
Author: Kristine Rosenblatt
Tried this recipe? Tag @kristines_kitchen on Instagram or use hashtag #kristineskitchen.
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Posted by Kristine Rosenblatt on Jan 10, 2024
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