Bity
Making air fryer bacon changed weekend breakfasts in our house. No spitting frying pan, no greasy hob to scrub, and no standing guard with a fork while the eggs go cold. I lay the rashers in the basket, set a timer for 10 minutes and put the kettle on.
The first time I tried it I was sceptical, because surely bacon needs a pan? However, the fat drips away through the basket as it renders, so the rashers crisp in the hot air instead of frying in a puddle. As a result, they come out evenly golden from end to end, with no pale, floppy middles.
Quick Breakdown
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Bacon
- One ingredient, 15 minutes. A pound of bacon and a quick preheat. That’s it.
- No splatter. The grease stays inside the machine, so your hob, your arms and your shirt stay clean.
- Evenly crisp rashers. Hot air surrounds each slice, so there are no burnt edges with a raw centre.
- Hands off. One flip at halfway and the rest of the time is yours for the eggs or the toast.
- Easy to tweak. In fact, a minute or two either way takes you from chewy to shatteringly crisp.
Ingredient Notes
- Bacon. One pound of sliced bacon, which is about 12 to 16 rashers depending on thickness. I use regular cut streaky bacon, the American style with long ribbons of fat, because the fat is what crisps so well in the air fryer. Back bacon works too, though it stays a little chewier because it is leaner.
- Thick or thin. Both make great air fryer bacon; only the time changes. See the table below.
- Smoked or unsmoked. Purely personal taste. Maple cured and peppered bacon also cook well, although sugary cures brown faster, so check them a minute early.
- A note on salt. Bacon is a cured meat, so it is naturally high in sodium. The Harvard Nutrition Source explains where most of our salt comes from, which is why I treat bacon as a weekend treat and skip adding extra salt to anything served with it.
How Long to Cook Air Fryer Bacon
At 400°F (200°C), regular cut air fryer bacon takes 8 to 10 minutes, with a flip halfway. That gives you crisp rashers that still have a little give. Still, the thickness of your bacon and how crispy you like it make all the difference:
| Bacon | Time at 400°F (200°C) | Texture |
|---|---|---|
| Thin or regular cut | 7 to 8 minutes | Lightly crisp, slightly chewy |
| Thin or regular cut | 9 to 10 minutes | Fully crisp and golden |
| Thick cut | 11 to 13 minutes | Crisp edges, meaty centre |
Air fryers vary, so the first time you cook it, peek at the 6 minute mark. Remember too that bacon carries on firming up for a minute after it comes out, so lift it a touch before you think it is ready.
How to Stop Bacon Smoking in the Air Fryer
Bacon fat can start to smoke once it pools in the drawer under the basket. Because the rendered fat sits right below the heating element, a full drawer is usually the culprit. Here is what keeps my kitchen clear:
- Empty the drawer between batches. Carefully pour the hot fat into a heatproof jar, then carry on.
- Start with a clean machine. Old grease and crumbs from last time smoke first.
- Do not overfill. One layer of bacon means less fat dripping down at once.
- Try a slice of bread. Some cooks put a slice of bread in the drawer under the basket to soak up the drips. Check your manual first, as every model is different.
- Turn it down for thick cut. If smoke is still a problem, cook at 375°F (190°C) and add a couple of minutes.
How To Make Air Fryer Bacon
1. Preheat the air fryer. First, heat it to 400°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes.
2. Lay out the bacon. Meanwhile, arrange the rashers in a single layer in the basket. They can touch, but try not to overlap them too much. Depending on your machine, you may need to cook in batches.
3. Cook. Next, slide the basket into the air fryer and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the bacon is as crispy as you like it.
4. Flip halfway. Then, at the halfway point, turn the rashers over with tongs so both sides cook evenly. Check them now and then, since bacon can go from golden to burnt quickly.
5. Drain. After that, use tongs to lift the bacon carefully onto a plate lined with kitchen paper to soak up any excess grease.
6. Cool briefly and serve. Finally, let it cool for a minute or two before serving. The fat is extremely hot straight out of the basket, and the rashers crisp up a little more as they rest.
Why Is My Bacon Chewy or Burnt?
- Chewy and pale. It simply needs another minute or two. Thick cut bacon often takes longer than you expect.
- Burnt ends. The rashers were too long for the basket and the ends sat closer to the element. Cut long rashers in half before cooking.
- Uneven colour. Overlapping slices steam where they touch. Spread them out and flip at halfway.
- Curled up and flapping. Very light rashers can lift in the fan. Weigh them down with the air fryer’s rack, if it has one, or just keep them close together.
- Too greasy. Drain on kitchen paper straight away, and blot the top too.
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Bacon
- Cut long rashers in half so they lie flat and fit the basket without bunching up.
- Pull the bacon about 30 seconds early if you plan to crumble it into a salad or pasta.
- Save the strained fat in a jar in the fridge. A spoonful makes the best fried eggs and roast potatoes.
- Clean the basket while it is still warm (not hot). Then a soak in hot soapy water lifts the grease far more easily.
- Cook a full pound at a time and keep the spare rashers for the week ahead.
Storage and Reheating
- Fridge. Cool leftover air fryer bacon quickly and refrigerate it within two hours, since the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics notes that bacteria multiply fastest between 40°F and 140°F. It keeps for 4 to 5 days in a sealed container.
- Reheating. One or two minutes at 350°F (180°C) in the air fryer brings back the crunch.
- Freezing. Freeze cooked rashers between sheets of baking paper in a freezer bag for up to a month, then reheat straight from frozen for about 3 minutes.
- Meal prep. Crumbled bacon in a jar in the fridge is brilliant for topping soups, salads and jacket potatoes all week.
Variations and Substitutions
- Twisted bacon. Twist each rasher like a corkscrew before cooking for a crunchier, more dramatic result. My twisted bacon post walks you through it.
- Candied bacon. Brush the rashers with maple syrup or sprinkle with brown sugar for the last 2 minutes.
- Peppered. Add a generous grind of black pepper before cooking.
- Turkey bacon. It is leaner, so it cooks faster; start checking at 5 minutes.
- Thick cut. Add 2 to 3 minutes and flip once, as in the table above.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Bacon
Eggs, obviously, any way you like them, are the classic partner for air fryer bacon. For a lazy weekend brunch, I serve it with a tray of my sheet pan pancakes and a jug of maple syrup, or with crisp sourdough discard waffles, just like the plate in the photos.
On weekdays, it goes straight into my freezer breakfast sandwiches. Of course, a bacon sandwich on soft white bread with a dollop of brown sauce is hard to beat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cooking Questions
Can I air fry bacon at 400 degrees?
Yes, 400°F (200°C) is what I use. It crisps regular cut rashers in 8 to 10 minutes. Just empty the drawer between batches to avoid smoke.
Do I need to preheat?
A short 3 minute preheat helps the bacon start sizzling right away, so the fat renders evenly. You can skip it, but add a minute to the time.
Do I have to flip the bacon?
I recommend it. Flipping at halfway means both sides crisp evenly, especially with thicker rashers.
Can I cook bacon from frozen?
Only if the rashers come apart. Otherwise, thaw the pack in the fridge overnight so you can lay the slices out flat.
Cleaning and Storage
How do I clean the basket after cooking bacon?
Pour the cooled fat into a jar, wipe out the drawer with kitchen paper, then wash the basket in hot soapy water. Clean it each time so no grease residue builds up.
Can I use foil or parchment?
Perforated air fryer parchment is fine. However, avoid solid foil, because it blocks the airflow and traps the fat.
How long does cooked bacon keep?
About 4 to 5 days in the fridge, or a month in the freezer.
What do I do with the grease?
Let it cool, strain it into a jar and keep it in the fridge for cooking. Never pour it down the sink.
Ingredients
- 1 pound bacon sliced
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 in the basket. Cook in batches if needed, 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 to a paper towel lined plate to absorb any excess grease.
- Allow the bacon to cool for a minute or two before serving to avoid burns.
