Air Fryer bacon gets incredibly crispy and perfectly cooked in just 10 minutes. Get all the tips to ensure success every time!
Anyone get an Air Fryer for Christmas? Or maybe just want to pull yours out more often?
I love me some air frying.
Air Fryer chicken tenders are a kid and adult favorite around here - oh that crunch! And Air Fryer chicken Parm is breaded and topped with marinara and mozzarella for a delicious family dinner.
For an appetizer, we love Air Fryer zucchini sticks that are breaded and delicious dipped in marinara.
And don’t get me started on veggies for a side dish - Air Fryer broccoli and cauliflower get so browned and crispy and make me just want to devour the whole batch!
Today though, we’re making Air Fryer bacon. Cause that just had to happen. ❤️
The bacon gets so crispy and perfectly cooked in the Air Fryer. The grease drains down and they retain their straight shape, rather than getting all curled up as can happen sometimes when cooking bacon.
It takes just 10 minutes for this salty, savory bacon goodness.
You will love making bacon this way!
First, let’s just cut right to the chase since I know this is the most common question.
How long do you cook bacon in an Air Fryer?
- Cook bacon for 8-12 minutes in the Air Fryer at 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Exact timing will depend on your desired degree of doneness and on the thickness of your bacon.
- I set mine for 10-12 minutes and start checking at 7 minutes. Thicker cuts of bacon will take longer than thin pieces.
And of course, some people like their bacon just barely cooked and others prefer it almost burned. To each her own. Adjust your air frying to suit your needs.
OK, let’s delve in more and make some bacon!
Now, I’ve got those notes and tips coming up below on how to make bacon in the Air Fryer. Just tryin’ to be helpful.
If you want to jump on down to the recipe, simply scroll right on through the rest of the text. The recipe card is near the bottom of the page, above the comments section.
Notes on making Air Fryer bacon:
- Bacon: I use a center cut bacon, which is a bit thicker. If yours is a bit thinner, just make sure to check it early. If yours is a thick cut, it may need a couple of extra minutes.
- Timing: I recommend setting your Air Fryer for 10-12 minutes, but checking it at 7 minutes to watch for doneness, adding a minute or two as needed. Everyone has a different take on perfectly cooked bacon - how cooked and crispy - and it also will depend on the thickness of your bacon.
- Layer: The bacon needs to be in a single, even layer. No stacking. This means you may be only able to fit 5-6 pieces at a time.
- Smoke: Fair warning: The Air Fryer produces a lot of smoke as it cooks the bacon and a lot is released when you open it to check for doneness. I position my Air Fryer near my stove vent fan and turn that on. I’ve also opened the back door on occasion to avoid getting it too smoky inside and risking a smoke alarm.
- Batches: If you make subsequent batches, note that they may need slightly less time as the Air Fryer is already hot. Check early.
Speaking of batches, if you are trying to make a lot of bacon, the Air Fryer might not be the best way to go.
Just being honest.
You’re going to need to do at least 3 batches to get a whole 12 oz package of bacon cooked in most regularly sized air fryers. I’d opt for bacon in the oven instead and do all the pieces at once on a sheet pan.
Or if you are just looking to do 2-3 pieces and don't want to mess with it, you can also make microwave bacon.
But if you are just doing 5-6 pieces or don’t mind doing a couple of batches to cook enough, the Air Fryer really does make such beautifully cooked and crispy pieces!
And in case you are in the market for an Air Fryer, I highly recommend both of mine.
Yes, I have two. Don’t judge.
I got the first one as a gift for Christmas a few years ago and it’s been fabulous, but it’s on the small size. (Would be great for singles or couples.)
So two years ago, I bought myself a bigger one for Christmas. (It’s usually on sale, too, which is nice). I’ve loved it. It’s a better fit for families with children, or just if you’re cooking for bigger groups.
You can check out all of my Air Fryer recipes if you’re obsessed like I am with the magic of this appliance.
And stay tuned because I have many more Air Fryer recipes planned for you!
You can sign up for my free e-newsletter to get all of my new recipes delivered straight to your inbox so you never miss a thing. I’ll even send you my free e-cookbook, Healthy Weeknight Dinners, as a thank you!
OK, last thing… if you have extra cooked bacon that you want to save, here’s what to do.
How to store leftover bacon
- Leftover cooked bacon will keep for 4-5 days in the refrigerator. Place in a small baggie or covered container.
- Sometimes the bacon will be good for up to a week. Usually, I toss it at the 1 week mark to be on the safe side. And if there is any off smell or slimy texture to the bacon, it needs to go straight in the trash.
I hope that helps, and I hope you give this Air Fryer bacon a try for some truly crispy bacon goodness.
Enjoy!
XO,
Kathryn
Microwave Bacon
Ingredients
- 8-10 slices bacon (adjustable, see notes)
Instructions
- Put a double layer of paper towels on a flat surface. Arrange the bacon slices in an even layer. Top with a single layer of paper towels and place on a large microwave-safe plate. (You can skip the plate but will need to wipe down the microwave from the grease.)
- Put in the microwave and cook on full power for 6-8 minutes. Start checking around 6 minutes for doneness and carefully remove any pieces that are cooked to your liking. Continue cooking remaining pieces in 30-45 second intervals until done. (See the notes below for tips and tricks and adjusting for different amounts.)
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