Air Fryer Bacon: Easy, Hands-Off, and Perfectly Cooked
Cooking bacon in the air fryer is quick, easy, and mess-free. The bacon cooks evenly without the need for flipping, and the excess grease drips away for a cleaner result. This method is hands-off and delivers well-cooked bacon in just minutes.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔ Easy & Hands-Off – No need to flip or monitor closely. Just set the air fryer and let it cook.
✔ Less Mess – No more grease splattering all over your stovetop. The air fryer keeps it contained.
✔ Quick Cooking Time – Bacon cooks in minutes, making breakfast (or meal prep) faster.
✔ Consistent Results – The hot air circulation ensures even cooking without burnt edges.
✔ Simple Cleanup – Excess grease collects below the bacon, and most air fryer baskets are easy to clean.
✔ Great for Small Batches – Perfect when you only need a few strips without using a full pan.
Ingredients
How To Cook Bacon In Air Fryer
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set the air fryer to 350℉ for regular-cut bacon or 375℉ for thick-cut. Preheating helps with even cooking.
- Arrange the Bacon: Place the bacon strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Slight overlapping is okay since the bacon shrinks.
- Air Fry: Cook for 7–9 minutes for regular-cut bacon or 9–12 minutes for thick-cut, adjusting for desired crispness. Around the 6-minute mark, check the bacon and adjust the cooking time if needed.
- Drain & Serve: Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess grease before serving.
Expert Tips
- For Less Smoke: Place a small amount of water or a piece of bread under the basket to catch drippings.
- For Crispier Bacon: Increase the temperature to 375℉ and cook slightly longer.
- Batch Cooking? Drain grease between batches to prevent smoking.
- Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheating: Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 2–3 minutes or microwave for 15–20 seconds.
More Air Fryer Recipes
- Everyone’s talking about twisted bacon! This simple recipe is quick, easy, and so delicious. Crispy bacon strips twisted to perfection – great for breakfast, snacking or serving as an appetizer for any gathering!
- Air fryer corn on the cob has to be one of the simplest (and tastiest) kitchen hacks. It’s crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and completely customizable. In just 15 minutes, you can go from raw corn to a buttery, flavorful side dish that pairs perfectly with almost anything.
- Get ready for the ultimate chicken thighs—crispy on the outside, perfectly juicy on the inside, and all made in your air fryer! This quick and easy air fryer chicken thighs recipe will be your go-to for a delicious dinner any night of the week.
- Dinner made easy! Try this air fryer salmon recipe that’s done in 10 minutes. The fillets are crispy, tender, and so flavorful, making it a perfect meal prep option or a quick dinner idea for busy nights.
- Crispy, flavorful, and ready in no time—this air fryer asparagus recipe is a must-try for any home cook! Perfectly roasted with a tender, buttery interior, this dish is a great way to get your veggies on the table with minimal effort.
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Ingredients
- 8 slices bacon regular or thick
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set the air fryer to 350℉ for regular-cut bacon or 375℉ for thick-cut. Preheating helps with even cooking.
- Arrange the Bacon: Place the bacon strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Slight overlapping is okay since the bacon shrinks.
- Air Fry: Cook for 7–9 minutes for regular-cut bacon or 9–12 minutes for thick-cut, adjusting for desired crispness. Around the 6-minute mark, check the bacon and adjust the cook time if needed.
- Drain & Serve: Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess grease before serving.
Notes
- For Less Smoke: Place a small amount of water or a piece of bread under the basket to catch drippings.
- For Crispier Bacon: Increase the temperature to 375℉ and cook slightly longer.
- Batch Cooking? Drain grease between batches to prevent smoking.
- Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheating: Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 2–3 minutes or microwave for 15–20 seconds.
