Can Bacon Be Cooked in an Air Fryer

Can You Cook Bacon in an Air Fryer? A Complete Guide to Crispy, Mess-Free Bacon

Cooking bacon in an air fryer has become a game-changer for breakfast lovers and home cooks who crave crispy, delicious bacon without the greasy mess of stovetop frying or the long wait of oven baking. If you’ve ever wondered, “Can bacon be cooked in an air fryer?” the answer is a resounding yes—and it might just become your favorite method. In this guide, I’ll walk you through why air fryer bacon is so popular, how to cook it perfectly every time, and tips to avoid common pitfalls, all based on insights from top recipes and my own kitchen experiments.

Why Cook Bacon in an Air Fryer?

The air fryer is a small but mighty appliance that uses rapid hot air circulation to crisp up food, mimicking the results of frying without drowning everything in oil. When it comes to bacon, this means you get evenly cooked, crispy strips in less time than it takes to preheat your oven, and with way less splatter than a skillet. The grease drips below the basket, making cleanup a breeze, and your kitchen doesn’t end up smelling like bacon for days. Plus, it’s hands-off—no standing over a hot pan flipping strips while dodging grease pops.

That said, not everyone is sold on air fryer bacon. Some argue that the stovetop gives you more control over texture, or that the oven is better for large batches. But if you’re cooking for one or two, or just want a quick, low-mess option, the air fryer is hard to beat. Sites like Serious Eats praise its speed and minimal cleanup, noting that it’s ideal for small servings.

How to Cook Bacon in an Air Fryer: Step-by-Step

Getting that perfect balance of crispy and tender bacon in an air fryer is straightforward, but it does require some attention to detail. Here’s how to do it, based on techniques I’ve tested and refined from popular recipes across the web.

Step 1: Choose Your Bacon

Not all bacon is created equal. The thickness and fat content of your bacon will affect cooking time and results. Regular-cut bacon cooks faster, typically in 7-9 minutes, while thick-cut bacon might need 10-14 minutes. Streaky bacon, with its higher fat content, crisps up beautifully but can produce more grease, so keep an eye on it. Leaner cuts, like bacon medallions or Canadian bacon, cook quicker but may not get as crispy. I prefer a middle-of-the-road supermarket bacon—not too cheap, not too fancy—for consistent results.

Step 2: Prepare the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for about 3 minutes. While some recipes, like one from Natasha’s Kitchen, skip preheating for bacon, I find it helps prevent sticking and ensures even cooking. Arrange the bacon in a single layer in the basket. It’s okay if the edges touch slightly—they’ll shrink as they cook—but don’t overlap them, as this can lead to uneven cooking. If your bacon strips are too long, cut them in half to fit better.

Pro tip: To reduce smoke, add a cup of water or a slice of bread under the basket (not on the cooking surface) to catch grease drippings. This trick, shared by many air fryer enthusiasts, keeps things clean and prevents the fat from burning.

Step 3: Cook the Bacon

Set your air fryer to 350°F and cook regular-cut bacon for 7-9 minutes for a softer texture, or 8-10 minutes for crispy. For thick-cut bacon, aim for 10-12 minutes for softer bacon or 12-14 minutes for extra crispy. Check halfway through to rearrange or flip the strips with tongs if needed, especially if you’re not using a basket-style air fryer. Flipping isn’t always necessary, but it can help with even browning, particularly in smaller models.

If you like your bacon extra crispy for crumbling (think salads or baked potatoes), add an extra 1-2 minutes after draining the grease halfway through. Be careful not to overdo it—bacon can go from crispy to burnt quickly, especially in smaller air fryers.

Step 4: Drain and Serve

Once cooked, use tongs to transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to soak up excess grease. If you’re cooking multiple batches, pour out the grease from the air fryer’s drip pan between rounds to avoid smoking. Serve immediately with eggs, pancakes, or in a classic BLT, or let it cool and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Bacon

After cooking countless batches of bacon in my air fryer, here are some hard-earned tips to ensure success:

• Don’t crank the heat too high. Bacon fat has a smoke point of around 400°F, so cooking at 350°F or 360°F keeps things smoky-free. Higher temperatures, like 400°F, can work for thin bacon but risk burning thicker cuts.
• Watch for curling. Bacon tends to curl in the air fryer. To minimize this, snip the fatty edges with scissors before flipping, or twist the strips slightly when you place them in the basket.
• Use foil wisely. Lining the basket with foil can make cleanup easier, but don’t place it loosely, as it might fly around and block air circulation. Crimp it tightly or place it under the drip tray, as suggested by Well Plated.
• Adjust for your air fryer. Every model is different. Basket-style air fryers (like Ninja or Philips) cook more evenly than oven-style models, which might need flipping to avoid uneven browning. Start checking early to dial in the perfect time for your machine.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

While air fryer bacon is generally foolproof, a few things can go wrong if you’re not careful:

• Smoking: If your air fryer starts smoking, it’s likely because grease is burning. Cook at a lower temperature (350°F is safer than 400°F), and clean out the grease between batches. A slice of bread or a bit of water under the basket can also help.
• Uneven cooking: Overlapping bacon or overcrowding the basket can lead to soggy spots. Stick to a single layer, even if it means cooking in batches.
• Burnt bacon: Smaller air fryers or thinner bacon can cook faster than expected. Check at the 5-6 minute mark for thin slices, and adjust as needed.

Is the Air Fryer the Best Way to Cook Bacon?

While I’m a huge fan of air fryer bacon for its speed and ease, it’s not the only way to get great results. The stovetop offers more control for those who like their bacon chewy or just barely crispy, but it’s messy and requires constant attention. The oven is fantastic for large batches—perfect for feeding a crowd—but it takes longer, especially with preheating. The air fryer shines for small servings (4-8 strips) and quick cleanup, making it my go-to for weekday breakfasts or a fast BLT.

One downside? You can’t cook a whole pound of bacon at once unless you have a large air fryer. If you’re feeding a big group, the oven might still be your best bet. But for everyday cooking, the air fryer’s convenience and crispy results are hard to top.

Creative Ways to Use Air Fryer Bacon

Bacon’s versatility is part of its charm. Beyond the breakfast plate, here are a few ways to put your air fryer bacon to work:

• Breakfast classics: Pair with scrambled eggs, pancakes, or a breakfast sandwich for a hearty start to the day.
• Salad topper: Crumble crispy bacon over a spinach salad or Caesar for a salty crunch.
• Recipe booster: Add to mac and cheese, potato soup, or a crustless quiche for extra flavor.
• Candied bacon: Sprinkle brown sugar and a dash of sriracha on the strips after flipping for a sweet-spicy twist.

Final Thoughts

Cooking bacon in an air fryer is not only possible but also one of the easiest and least messy ways to achieve crispy, golden perfection. By sticking to a single layer, keeping the temperature around 350°F, and checking for doneness, you’ll get bacon that’s just right for you—whether you like it chewy or brittle. The air fryer takes the hassle out of bacon prep, leaving you more time to enjoy your meal. So, fire up that air fryer, grab a package of bacon, and see why this method has won over so many home cooks. You might never go back to the skillet again.