Cooking bacon in the air fryer is quick, effortless, and cleaner than stovetop frying. This method ensures evenly cooked strips with minimal mess and no need for flipping.
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.