Pile of crispy cooked bacon on a round white plate on a white and red towel next to a white mug of coffee all on a white wooden surface (with logo overlay)

Air Fryer Bacon

The easiest way to make bacon is in the air fryer. It’s crispy, quick, and makes very little mess. Try it next time you make breakfast.

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Even though only half of the people in my household eat bacon, we still tend to cook some up almost every weekend. Tyler and I are in the “we don’t eat bacon” group and Justin and Ryan are part of the “give me all I can eat” group. For the longest time, Justin would pan-fry the bacon on a flat pan on the stovetop. While this worked, it was very messy.

A few months ago, during Prime Day on Amazon, I purchased an air fryer for myself. I had been wanting one for a while and found a great deal. One of the first things Justin made was air fryer bacon. And he hasn’t made it another way since then!

Advantages to Using the Air Fryer to make Bacon:

  • It’s Healthier
  • There is less mess to clean up
  • The smell doesn’t permeate the house as much
  • Set it and forget it, the air fryer does all of the work

Other yummy bacon recipes they love: Alice Springs Chicken, Bacon-Wrapped Chicken, BLT Sandwich

Step by Step

Making air fryer bacon couldn’t be easier as you can put it in the fryer, set it, and walk away. We like to line the drip pan (NOT the tray) with foil to make cleanup even easier. Spread the bacon in a single layer on the air fryer tray. Justin likes to cut the bacon in half so it fits nicely on the tray.

Raw bacon strips on an air fryer tray on a white wooden background

Place the tray in the middle of the air fryer.

Raw bacon on an air fryer tray in the air fryer

Bake at 400F until desired crispness. We have found the following times seem to work well:

  • 8 mins = slightly chewy
  • 9 mins = crispy
  • 11 mins = very crispy/almost burned
Crispy bacon on an air fryer tray in the machine

Use a paper towel to blot off any excess grease from the bacon and serve warm.

Pile of crispy cooked bacon on a round white plate on a white and red towel next to a white mug of coffee all on a white wooden surface (vertical)

Leftovers

Any leftover bacon can be stored in the refrigerator then reheated either in a pan or in the microwave until warm

Recipe

Originally Published On: February 22, 2021

Pile of crispy cooked bacon on a round white plate on a white and red towel next to a white mug of coffee all on a white wooden surface

Air Fryer Bacon

The easiest way to make bacon is in the air fryer. It's crispy, quick, and makes very little mess. Try it next time you make breakfast.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course:
Breakfast
Cuisine:
American
Keyword:
air fryer
|
bacon
Dietary Needs:
Dairy-Free
|
Egg-Free
|
Gluten-Free
|
Keto
|
Nut-Free
|
Paleo
|
Whole30
Meat:
Pork
Cooking Method:
Air Fryer
Servings: 2
5 from 8 votes

Ingredients

  • 6 slices bacon

Recommended Equipment

Instructions

  • For easier cleanup, line the drip pan with foil
  • Spread the bacon in a single layer on the air fryer tray
  • Bake at 400F for about 9 minutes, until desired crispness
  • 8 mins = slightly chewy
    9 mins = crispy
    11 mins = very crispy/almost burned
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Nutrition Facts
Air Fryer Bacon
Amount Per Serving (3 slices)
Calories 275 Calories from Fat 234
% Daily Value*
Fat 26g40%
Saturated Fat 9g45%
Trans Fat 1g
Cholesterol 44mg15%
Sodium 437mg18%
Potassium 131mg4%
Carbohydrates 1g0%
Protein 8g16%
Vitamin A 24IU0%
Calcium 3mg0%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutrition content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.

Air Fryer Bacon FAQs

Is bacon healthier in the air fryer?

The less fat you have on the bacon in the end, the healthier it will be. Because the fat is allowed to drip off as it cooks, rather than sitting in it, you will have less on the final food. Also, the crispier you make your bacon, the more fat will cook off, giving it less calories.

How long does it take to make bacon in the air fryer?

As an air fryer doesn’t need to preheat, it only takes as long as you need to cook the bacon. The longest we cook it is 11 minutes for very crispy bacon.

Is air fryer bacon easier than in the oven or on the stovetop or in the microwave?

We find this is the easiest method as well as the quickest. You don’t have to wait for the oven to preheat. It doesn’t splatter grease as with cooking on a stovetop. And it gets very crispy unlike in a microwave.

Is it safe to cook bacon in the air fryer?

As long as you aren’t adding any extra oil or fat to the bacon, it is safe to cook in the air fryer. In fact, I find it safer since you don’t run the risk of the bacon grease splattering as you try to flip it in the pan.

21 thoughts on “Air Fryer Bacon”

  1. What’s leftover bacon? LOL! It just doesn’t happen in our house. This is a great way to prepare bacon. The smell really bugs us sometimes.

  2. Yum, it looks delicious 👌🏻 My husband has been thinking of buying an air fryer (Shhh, he is the main chef here 😜) for a while. I am going to show him the one that you are using, sounds like a great product!

  3. 5 stars
    I think we have an air fryer in Japan, but I have to research it more closely. I love eating bacon, though I don’t eat a lot. They actually are smaller here and more money.

  4. 5 stars
    I love this recipe. I’ve made it a couple of times now, and I can’t get over how crispy it is and how much mess I DON’T have to clean!

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