Can I Make Bacon in the Air Fryer

Cooking bacon in the air fryer just might be the best thing since sliced bread! In mere minutes, you get perfectly crispy bacon without the greasy mess of a skillet or the long wait of an oven. If you’ve ever wondered, “Can I make bacon in the air fryer?” the answer is a resounding yes, and I’m here to walk you through exactly how to do it, with tips and tricks to ensure your bacon comes out just the way you like it—crispy, chewy, or somewhere in between.

After digging into some of the top-ranking pages on Google for “Can I Make Bacon in the Air Fryer,” I noticed a clear pattern in how they structure their content. Sites like Allrecipes, Natasha’s Kitchen, and Well Plated typically start with an engaging intro that highlights the benefits of air fryer bacon—speed, crispiness, and minimal cleanup. They then dive into a step-by-step guide, covering bacon types, cooking times, temperatures, and tips for avoiding common issues like smoking. Many include a recipe card with precise measurements and instructions, and some offer variations like turkey bacon or candied bacon. User comments often reveal pain points, such as burnt bacon or smoke, which these sites address with practical solutions like lower temperatures or adding water to the drip tray. However, some lack depth on troubleshooting (e.g., handling different air fryer models) or skimp on creative serving ideas. Others, like Allrecipes’ cautionary piece, argue that air fryers aren’t ideal for bacon due to smoke and batch limitations, but they still provide tips for those determined to try.

My goal is to give you a more comprehensive guide that not only covers the how-to but also tackles those gaps—offering detailed troubleshooting, practical hacks, and fun ways to use your air fryer bacon. Let’s get cooking!

Why Choose an Air Fryer for Bacon?

Air fryers are a game-changer for bacon lovers because they combine speed, crispiness, and easy cleanup. Unlike stovetop frying, which leaves grease splattered everywhere, or oven baking, which can take 20-30 minutes including preheat time, air fryers cook bacon in about 8-12 minutes with minimal mess. The hot air circulation crisps up the bacon evenly, and the grease drips below the basket, making cleanup a breeze. Plus, you don’t need to stand over a hot pan, dodging pops of hot grease.

Choosing the Right Bacon

Not all bacon is created equal, and your choice impacts cooking time and results. Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Regular-cut bacon: This is the standard bacon you find in most grocery stores, about 1/16-inch thick. It cooks quickly, typically in 7-9 minutes at 350°F, and is great for classic crispy strips.
• Thick-cut bacon: Meatier and about 1/8-inch thick, this takes longer—10-14 minutes at 350°F. It’s ideal if you prefer a chewier texture or want bacon for crumbling into dishes.
• Turkey bacon: Leaner and thinner, turkey bacon cooks faster, around 5-7 minutes at 350°F. It’s a solid option for those watching fat intake, but it won’t get as crispy as pork bacon.
• Streaky bacon: Common in the US, this fatty, belly-cut bacon cooks in 6-10 minutes and can produce more grease, so keep an eye on it to avoid smoking.

Pro tip: Check the package for thickness and fat content. Leaner bacon cooks faster, while fattier cuts need more time to render.

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

Here’s a foolproof method to get perfect bacon every time, tailored to your air fryer and preferences.

Step 1: Prep Your Air Fryer

Most recipes agree that preheating isn’t necessary for bacon, as it can overcook or burn. Set your air fryer to 350°F to stay below the bacon fat smoke point (around 400°F). To prevent smoking, add ¼ cup of water to the bottom of the air fryer (below the basket, not touching the bacon) or place a slice of bread in the drip tray to absorb grease. This hack, mentioned on sites like Simply Recipes, keeps your kitchen smoke-free.

Step 2: Arrange the Bacon

Lay the bacon in a single layer in the air fryer basket. It’s okay if the edges touch slightly, as bacon shrinks while cooking, but avoid overlapping to ensure even crispiness. If your bacon is too long, cut strips in half or fold the ends upward. For a standard 5-6 quart air fryer, you can fit 4-6 strips per batch. Don’t overcrowd—air circulation is key to that crispy texture.

Step 3: Cook and Check

Cook at 350°F for 7-9 minutes for regular bacon or 10-12 minutes for thick-cut. No need to flip, as the air fryer’s circulation cooks both sides evenly, but flipping halfway can ensure uniform browning if your air fryer has hot spots. Check at the 7-minute mark, especially the first time, as air fryer models vary (Ninja vs. Cosori, for example). If you like it crispier, add 1-2 minutes. For chewier bacon, reduce by a minute.

Step 4: Drain and Serve

Use tongs (silicone-tipped ones are best to avoid scratches) to transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to soak up excess grease. If cooking multiple batches, pour out the grease from the drip tray between rounds to prevent smoking. Save the grease in a glass jar for cooking (think bacon-fat roasted potatoes!) or discard it safely once cooled—never down the sink.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Here’s where many online guides fall short. Let’s tackle the problems you might face:

• Smoke: If your air fryer smokes, the grease is likely overheating. Stick to 350°F, drain grease between batches, and use the water or bread trick. Clean your air fryer thoroughly after each use to remove stuck-on grease from the heating element.
• Uneven cooking: Overcrowding or overlapping bacon is the culprit. Use fewer strips per batch, and if your air fryer cooks unevenly, rotate the basket or flip the bacon halfway through.
• Burnt bacon: High temperatures (like 390°F or above) or leaving bacon in too long can lead to charring. Start with 350°F and check early. User comments on Allrecipes noted burnt bacon at 390°F for 8 minutes, so lower and slower is safer.
• Sticking: Lightly brush the basket with oil before cooking, as suggested by Airfried.com, to prevent sticking, especially with leaner bacon.

Creative Ways to Use Air Fryer Bacon

Air fryer bacon isn’t just for breakfast! Here are some ideas to elevate your meals:

• BLT Sandwich: Pair crispy bacon with fresh lettuce, tomato, and mayo on toasted bread for a classic lunch.
• Bacon Bits: Crumble extra-crispy bacon over salads, baked potatoes, or creamy soups like Zuppa Toscana.
• Candied Bacon: Sprinkle brown sugar and a dash of sriracha on bacon after flipping for a sweet-spicy twist, as suggested by Simply Recipes.
• Breakfast Wraps: Roll bacon with scrambled eggs and cheese in a tortilla for a quick morning meal.
• Pasta Topping: Add crumbled bacon to carbonara or a Caesar pasta salad for extra crunch.

Got leftovers? Store cooked bacon in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for 3 months. Reheat in the air fryer at 330°F for 1-2 minutes to restore crispiness.

Cleaning Up

One of the biggest perks of air fryer bacon is the easy cleanup. Pour out grease carefully (wait until it cools to avoid burns), wipe the basket with a paper towel, and pop it in the dishwasher if your model allows. Lining the drip tray with foil (not the basket, as it can block airflow) can make cleanupsome text missing here. For an even cleaner setup, place foil under the tray, as suggested by Our Best Bites.

Final Thoughts

Air fryer bacon is a total game-changer when it comes to delicious bacon because the air fryer method is the best way for minimal mess and crispiness. Forget the traditional way of frying bacon in a cast iron skillet, and let the air fryer basket do all the work for you. This is one of my favorite air fryer recipes because it makes the best bacon!