Air Fryer Bacon
Is there anything better than the smell of bacon sizzling in the morning? It’s the ultimate comfort food, the hero of breakfast plates, and let’s be honest, a welcome addition to just about any meal. But cooking it? That’s a different story. If you’re used to standing over a hot stove, dodging grease splatter like you’re in an action movie, or dealing with a baking sheet swimming in fat, I have life-changing news for you. There is a better way, and it involves your trusty air fryer.
Cooking bacon in an air fryer is hands down the easiest, cleanest, and most consistent method I’ve ever found. It delivers perfectly crispy, evenly cooked strips every single time without the mess. The hot air renders the fat beautifully, letting it drip away from the meat so you get that irresistible crunch without the grease overload. Once you try this method, you might never go back to the stovetop or oven again. It’s faster, simpler, and honestly, the bacon just tastes better.
Ready to revolutionize your breakfast game? Let’s get cooking.
What You’ll Need
This is the beauty of this recipe—it is literally one ingredient. Simplicity at its finest.
- 1 pound of bacon: You can use standard cut or thick-cut. Just keep in mind that thickness will affect how long it needs to cook.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps for bacon that is crispy, delicious, and hassle-free.
1. Preheat the Air Fryer
Start by preheating your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Let it run for about 3 minutes. Getting the unit hot before the bacon goes in helps sear the meat immediately, which is key to that perfect texture.
2. Arrange the Bacon
While the air fryer heats up, take your bacon out of the package. Open the basket and lay the bacon strips in a single layer. This is crucial! If you pile them up, they will stick together and steam rather than crisp. Depending on the size of your air fryer basket, you might need to cut the strips in half to fit or cook in batches. Trust me, cooking in batches is better than soggy bacon.
3. Let it Sizzle
Place the basket into the preheated air fryer. Cook the bacon for 8 to 10 minutes.
Keep an eye on it, as air fryers can vary in power. If you like your bacon a bit softer, check it around the 7-minute mark. If you love it shatteringly crisp, you might need the full 10 minutes (or even a minute more).
4. Flip for Evenness
About halfway through the cooking time (around the 4 or 5-minute mark), carefully open the basket. Use a pair of kitchen tongs to flip the bacon slices over. This ensures that both sides get equally crispy and browned.
5. Drain and Cool
Once the bacon has reached your desired level of crispiness, use your tongs to transfer the strips to a plate lined with paper towels. This will absorb any excess grease.
Safety Tip: Let the bacon cool for a minute or two before serving. The sugar and fat in bacon hold heat incredibly well, and nobody wants a burnt tongue ruining their breakfast!
Essential Tips for Air Fryer Bacon Success
While this method is super simple, a few tricks will ensure you get the best results every time.
Adjusting for Thickness
Not all bacon is created equal.
- Thin/Regular Cut: Stick to the 8-10 minute range.
- Thick Cut: You might need 10-12 minutes.
- Turkey Bacon: This has less fat, so it cooks faster. Check it after 5-6 minutes to prevent it from drying out.
The Smoke Situation
Because bacon has a high fat content, the dripping grease can sometimes cause your air fryer to smoke. To prevent this:
- Clean Bottom: Make sure the bottom tray is clean before you start.
- Bread Trick: Some people swear by placing a small piece of bread in the bottom tray (under the basket) to soak up the grease.
- Water Trick: Adding a tablespoon of water to the bottom drawer can help prevent the grease from reaching its smoke point.
Check Doneness Periodically
Air fryers are powerful. It can go from “perfect” to “burnt” in less than a minute. Toward the end of the cooking time, check on your bacon frequently. It’s better to pull it out a few seconds early than a few seconds late.
Clean Up Immediately
Bacon grease solidifies as it cools, making it a pain to clean later. Once your air fryer has cooled down enough to handle safely, wipe out the basket and the bottom tray. Keeping your air fryer clean prevents smoking during your next cooking session.
Enjoy your mess-free, stress-free, and absolutely delicious bacon! Whether you serve it alongside eggs, crumble it over a salad, or just eat it straight off the plate (we won’t judge), this is bound to be your new favorite way to cook it.
Air Fryer Bacon
Ingredients
- 1 lb bacon
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes.
- While the air fryer is preheating, arrange the bacon slices in a single layer on the air fryer basket. You may need to cook the bacon in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Place the basket into the air fryer and cook the bacon for 8 to 10 minutes, or until it reaches your desired level of crispiness.
- Halfway through cooking, flip the bacon slices using tongs to ensure even cooking on both sides.
- Once cooked, use tongs to carefully transfer the bacon onto a paper towel lined plate to absorb any excess grease.
- Allow the bacon to cool for a minute or two before serving to avoid any burns.
Notes
- The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the bacon and personal preference for crispiness. Adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- It’s important to check the bacon periodically during cooking to prevent it from burning.
- Remember to clean the air fryer basket thoroughly after cooking bacon to remove any grease residue.
