Perfect Crispy Air Fryer Bacon: Your Ultimate Guide to Mess-Free Cooking
Making delicious, crispy bacon often comes with the unwelcome side effect of grease splattering all over your kitchen surfaces. It’s a messy affair, but let’s be honest, bacon is simply too irresistible to give up! The good news is, there’s a revolutionary way to enjoy perfectly cooked bacon without the cleanup hassle: the air fryer. By confining the cooking process and the inevitable grease inside the air fryer basket, you can say goodbye to endless wiping and scrubbing. Get ready to enjoy perfectly crispy bacon with minimal effort and maximum flavor!
Why Air Fryer Bacon Is Your New Favorite Method
Bacon is a beloved classic, an essential component of many fantastic meals, and absolutely incredible on its own. Whether you pair it with fluffy eggs, stack it alongside a warm pile of pancakes, elevate a breakfast bagel sandwich, or crumble it over your favorite casserole, bacon always delivers. The air fryer method takes this culinary staple to a whole new level of convenience and perfection.
Cooking bacon in the air fryer is particularly fantastic for individuals or couples, as it allows you to prepare small batches efficiently without heating up a large oven or creating a stove-top mess. It’s also ideal for those times you need perfectly cooked, crispy bacon bits for recipes like our popular Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole. The key to success is ensuring your air fryer basket isn’t overcrowded; we recommend limiting yourself to about 4 strips, or however many will fit in a single, uncrowded layer.
The air fryer ensures incredibly even cooking, resulting in consistently crispy bacon every single time. Unlike pan-frying, where you might get unevenly cooked or burnt spots, the circulating hot air cooks each strip uniformly. Plus, the raised basket design allows excess grease to drip away, leading to a less greasy, delightfully crisp finish. This method not only simplifies the cooking process but also delivers superior texture and significantly reduces cleanup.
Related Bacon Delights: For more creative ways to enjoy bacon, check out our popular Bacon Twists, or if you prefer a larger batch, learn How to Cook Bacon in the Oven.
Simple Ingredients for Irresistible Air Fryer Bacon
One of the best things about making air fryer bacon is its sheer simplicity when it comes to ingredients. You truly only need one main component: bacon!
- Bacon: Choose your favorite type of bacon. While this recipe is optimized for standard-cut bacon (around 1/16 to 1/8 inch thick), it can be adapted for thick-cut bacon as well. Just remember that thicker slices will require a slightly longer cooking time. Opt for quality bacon for the best flavor and texture.
That’s it! No special oils, marinades, or elaborate preparations needed. The magic of the air fryer, combined with the natural deliciousness of bacon, is all you need for a fantastic result.
How to Achieve Perfectly Crispy Air Fryer Bacon: Step-by-Step
These step-by-step photos and detailed instructions are designed to help you visualize each stage of making this recipe. For a convenient, printable version of this recipe, complete with exact measurements and streamlined instructions, simply Jump to Recipe at the bottom of the page.
- Prepare Your Air Fryer Basket: If desired, you can line your air fryer basket with air fryer parchment paper. While this can aid in cleanup for many dishes, we’ve found that for bacon, it doesn’t make a significant difference to the final product or cleanup effort, as grease still finds its way through the perforations. However, if you prefer, it’s an option. The most crucial step here is to ensure your air fryer is clean and ready. Preheat your air fryer to 385°F (195°C) for about 3-5 minutes before adding the bacon. Preheating helps ensure even cooking and consistent crispiness from the start. Arrange the bacon strips in a single layer without overlapping, which is vital for achieving maximum crispness. Overlapping strips will steam rather than crisp.
- Air Fry to Perfection: Place the bacon-filled basket into the preheated air fryer. Air fry at 385°F (195°C) for approximately 11 minutes. Midway through the cooking process, at about the 5-6 minute mark, use tongs to carefully flip each bacon strip. Flipping ensures both sides get equal exposure to the hot circulating air, promoting even cooking and optimal crispiness across the entire strip. Keep an eye on the bacon during the last few minutes, as cooking times can vary slightly depending on your air fryer model and the thickness of your bacon. You’re looking for a beautiful golden-brown color and a satisfying crisp texture.
- Drain and Serve: Once the bacon has reached your desired level of crispness, carefully remove the strips from the air fryer basket using tongs. Transfer them immediately to a plate lined with several layers of paper towels. The paper towels will absorb any remaining excess grease, which is crucial for maintaining that desirable crisp texture. Let the bacon rest for a minute or two on the paper towels to fully drain before serving. This brief resting period also allows the bacon to become even crisper as it cools slightly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Air Fryer Bacon
Here are some common questions to help you master air fryer bacon:
While air fryer parchment paper can be super helpful for simplifying cleanup with many recipes, we’ve found that its necessity is debatable when it comes to bacon. Regardless of whether you use parchment paper, you will still need to clean your air fryer basket and the underlying tray to remove accumulated grease. Air fryer parchment paper comes with holes designed for air circulation, meaning much of the bacon fat will drip through anyway. However, there is one potential benefit: if you leave the parchment paper in the basket after removing the bacon, you can wait for the grease to solidify before easily lifting out the parchment and discarding it. Another helpful tip is to line the bottom air fryer tray (if your model has one that collects grease) with regular parchment paper. This will catch any fat that drips through the basket, making that part of the cleanup much easier once the fat hardens. Ultimately, the choice to use parchment paper is up to your preference.
For standard-cut bacon, it typically takes about 10-12 minutes at 385°F (195°C), flipping halfway through. Thick-cut bacon might require an additional 2-4 minutes, while thin-cut bacon could be done in 8-10 minutes. Always monitor for your desired level of crispiness as air fryer models can vary.
Smoking can occur when bacon grease burns at the bottom of the air fryer. To minimize this, ensure your air fryer is clean before use. You can also add a small amount of water (about 1-2 tablespoons) to the bottom of the air fryer tray (underneath the basket, not in direct contact with the bacon). This helps cool the dripping fat and prevents it from smoking. Another effective method is to line the bottom of the main air fryer drawer (again, under the basket) with foil or a piece of bread to absorb the grease. Regularly cleaning your air fryer also helps prevent residue buildup that can cause smoking.
The air fryer is best for small to medium batches, typically 4-6 strips at a time, depending on the size of your air fryer. For larger gatherings or when you need a significant amount of bacon, cooking in the oven might be more efficient. The key for air frying is to avoid overcrowding the basket, as this will lead to steamed, rather than crispy, bacon.
We find that 385°F (195°C) is the ideal temperature for cooking bacon in the air fryer. This temperature is hot enough to render the fat and achieve crispiness quickly without burning the bacon too fast. Going too high can cause excessive smoking and uneven cooking.
In summary, making bacon in the air fryer is incredibly simple, remarkably clean, and yields outstanding results. There’s no fat splattering all over your stovetop, and the convenience factor is unmatched. It’s truly a game-changer for those who love crispy bacon, whether you’re making a small batch for yourself or preparing a key ingredient for a larger dish.
Delicious Recipes for Using Your Air Fried Bacon
Once you’ve mastered perfectly crispy air fryer bacon, the culinary possibilities are endless! Here are some fantastic recipes where your freshly cooked bacon can truly shine:
- Bacon Three Cheese Potatoes: The salty crunch of bacon perfectly complements cheesy potatoes.
- Cheesy Bacon Potato Frittata: Elevate your breakfast or brunch with savory bacon and cheese in a fluffy frittata.
- Potatoes Au Gratin with Bacon and Leeks: A rich and creamy side dish, made even better with crispy bacon pieces.
- Twice Baked Potatoes: Bacon is a classic topping for these indulgent stuffed potatoes.
- Zuppa Toscana Soup: Crumbled bacon adds a vital smoky, salty depth to this hearty Italian-inspired soup.
Expand Your Culinary Horizon with More Air Fryer Recipes
The air fryer is a versatile kitchen appliance that can do so much more than just bacon! If you’re looking to explore more delicious and easy air fryer creations, check out some of our other favorite recipes:
- Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks: Crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside – a perfect appetizer.
- Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Carrots: A surprisingly delicious and flavorful side dish.
- Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Asparagus: A simple yet elegant side that’s quick to prepare.
- Air Fryer Italian Sausage and Peppers: A hearty meal that cooks up beautifully in the air fryer.
- Air Fryer Bagels: Yes, you can even make homemade bagels in your air fryer!
- Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets: Healthier and crispier than deep-fried versions.
- Air Fryer Pretzel Bites: A fun snack perfect for dipping.
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Air Fryer Bacon
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 4 slices bacon
Things You’ll Need
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Air fryer
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Tongs
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Air fryer parchment paper (Optional, see notes for details)
Before You Begin
- Making bacon in the air fryer is ideal for 1-2 people or for preparing small batches. It’s especially useful when you need crumbled or chopped bacon for various recipes, such as our enticing Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole! For best results, limit the number of bacon strips to 4, or ensure whatever quantity you choose fits comfortably in your air fryer basket without crowding, maintaining a single layer. Overlapping bacon will steam instead of crisp.
- The use of air fryer parchment paper can be very helpful for simplifying cleanup in many recipes. However, for bacon, we’ve observed it doesn’t significantly impact the cleanup or the final product. While bacon grease will still drip through the paper’s perforations, you can opt to leave the parchment in the basket after cooking until the fat solidifies. This allows for easier removal and disposal of the hardened grease. Alternatively, consider lining the bottom air fryer tray (if your model has one) with regular parchment paper or aluminum foil to catch the drips. This can make the post-cooking cleanup of the tray much easier once the fat solidifies.
- Always preheat your air fryer to ensure even cooking and optimal crispiness from the start.
- Cooking times may vary based on your air fryer model and the thickness of the bacon. Always keep a close eye on your bacon, especially during the last few minutes, to achieve your preferred level of crispiness.
Instructions
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Prepare Basket & Preheat: If desired, you may line your air fryer basket with air fryer parchment paper. While optional, it can simplify cleanup for some. Arrange bacon strips in a single layer without overlapping. Preheat your air fryer to 385°F (195°C) for 3-5 minutes before adding bacon.
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Air Fry & Flip: Air fry the bacon at 385°F (195°C) for a total of 11 minutes. Make sure to flip the bacon strips carefully halfway through the cooking time (around the 5-6 minute mark) to ensure even crisping on both sides.
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Drain & Serve: Once cooked to your desired crispiness, remove the bacon strips from the air fryer. Transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess grease. Allow to rest for a minute before serving for ultimate crispness.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.