Once you try bacon in the air fryer, you’ll never want to make it another way. This Air Fryer Bacon is fast, simple, and consistently crisp. It cooks in minutes, there’s no greasy splatter across your stovetop, and cleanup is quick and easy.
I’ve been using an air fryer since I got one, and it continues to impress. It handles everything from salmon and chicken wings to vegetables and, of course, bacon. Air frying bacon eliminates greasy splatter from stovetop frying and the mess of microwaving with paper towels. The result is reliably crispy bacon with far less fuss.
I now make bacon more often because it’s so easy to prepare. Use it for salads, deviled eggs, sandwiches, or as a simple breakfast side — the crispy texture and concentrated flavor really elevate many dishes.
This method is straightforward and forgiving. Read through the tips below so your first batch turns out just the way you like it.
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- No preheating required—get cooking immediately.
- Minimal cleanup with no splattering grease across the range or microwave.
- Even air circulation means you don’t need to flip the bacon constantly.
- Easy to scale: cook a few slices or several batches without extra hassle.
Recipe ingredients
Only one ingredient is required: bacon. Choose your preferred brand and cut. Thinner slices will cook faster, while thick-cut bacon takes longer and yields a meatier bite.
- 8 slices bacon (use the number of slices you need; this recipe reflects a typical 8-slice package). Cooking time varies with thickness—adjust accordingly.
How to make bacon in the air fryer
This method is fast and consistent. Use the timing below as a guideline since air fryer performance and bacon thickness differ between brands.
Pro tip: Watch the bacon closely the first time you try this. Thin-cut bacon can be done in about 4 minutes; thick-cut usually takes around 6 minutes or a little longer.
- Arrange bacon in a single layer on the air fryer rack or basket. A slight overlap is OK because the slices will shrink as they cook.
- Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for about 6 minutes. Pause the fryer after 2–3 minutes to reposition slices and check doneness. Adjust time based on thickness and preferred crispness.
- When done, transfer bacon to a paper towel–lined plate to drain. If you’re cooking multiple batches in a basket-style air fryer, drain excess grease between batches to reduce smoking.
Recipe FAQs
Yes. Place bacon slices directly in a single layer on the rack or in the basket. For toaster-oven style air fryers, set slices on the metal rack above a pan to catch the grease.
How long does bacon take in the air fryer?
Timing varies by bacon thickness and air fryer model. As a rule of thumb, thin-cut bacon crisps in roughly 4 minutes, while thick-cut bacon often takes about 6 minutes. Start checking early to avoid overcooking.
What temperature is best for air fryer bacon?
400°F (200°C) gives quick, crispy results. If your air fryer produces smoke, lower the temperature to 350°F and monitor closely.
Can you stack bacon in the air fryer?
Avoid stacking for even cooking. Place slices in a single layer, allowing slight overlap as they will shrink while cooking.
My bacon caused smoke—what can I do?
Rendered fat can smoke as it collects in the fryer. Drain excess grease between batches and reduce the temperature to about 350°F if smoking occurs. Placing a shallow dish of water under the basket can also help reduce smoke in some models.
Recipe notes
- Timing: Cooking time depends on the air fryer and bacon thickness. Check thin bacon at 4 minutes; thick bacon can take 8–10 minutes.
- If you have a larger toaster-oven air fryer, you may be able to cook all slices at once; basket-style models often require two batches.
- Between basket batches, drain grease into a heatproof container to reduce smoking and maintain consistent heat.
- Store leftover cooked bacon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
More air fryer recipes you’ll love:
- Air fryer baked potatoes
- Air fryer broccoli
- Air fryer Brussels sprouts
- Air fryer chicken breast
- Air fryer meatballs
- Air fryer potato skins
- Air fryer potatoes
- Air fryer pork chops
- Air fryer shrimp
Did you try this recipe? If so, please leave a review below and tag @flavorthemoments on social media so I can see what you made!
Air Fryer Bacon
Air Fryer Bacon cooks up perfectly crispy in minutes with no messy splatter. Cleanup is simple and results are consistent every time.
Servings: 4 | Prep Time: 5 mins | Cook Time: 15 mins | Total Time: 20 mins
Equipment
- Air fryer (basket or toaster-oven style)
Ingredients
- 8 slices bacon (adjust amount to suit your needs)
Instructions
- Place half of the bacon (about 4 slices) in the air fryer in a single layer. It’s fine if the edges overlap slightly; slices will shrink as they cook.
- Cook at 400°F (200°C) for about 6 minutes, pausing halfway to reposition slices and check doneness. Thin bacon may be done in ~4 minutes; thick bacon may need longer.
- Transfer cooked bacon to a paper towel–lined plate to drain. Carefully pour or scoop rendered fat from the air fryer into a heatproof container before cooking the next batch.
- Repeat with remaining bacon. Serve immediately or cool and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Adjust cook time for your preferred crispness and bacon thickness.
- To reduce smoking, drain grease between batches and lower the temperature to 350°F if needed.
- Leftover bacon reheats well in the air fryer for a minute or two to restore crispness.
Nutrition (approximate per serving)
Serving: 2 slices • Calories: 183 kcal • Protein: 6 g • Fat: 17 g • Sodium: 291 mg