Air-Fryer Bacon: How Long To Fry?

Cooking bacon in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to achieve crispy bacon with minimal mess and grease. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the bacon and your desired level of crispiness. For thin-cut bacon, cook for 5 to 9 minutes at 350°F (176°C). For thick-cut bacon, cook for 10 to 12 minutes at the same temperature. It's important to note that air fryer models vary, so it's recommended to keep an eye on your bacon to prevent overcooking.

How long to cook bacon in the air fryer

Air-frying bacon is a quick and easy way to get crispy, evenly cooked bacon without the mess of stovetop cooking or baking in the oven. Plus, you get those beautiful, curly, crispy strips that you don't get with oven-baked bacon.

The cooking time for bacon in an air fryer depends on several factors, including the desired doneness, the thickness of the bacon, and the style of the air fryer.

Regular Cut Bacon

For softer bacon, air fry at 350˚F for 7 minutes. If you like your bacon crispy, air fry for 8 to 9 minutes.

Thick-Cut Bacon

For softer thick-cut bacon, air fry at 350˚F for 9-10 minutes. For crispy thick-cut bacon, air fry for 10-12 minutes.

It's important to note that air fryer models vary, so it's a good idea to check on your bacon periodically to ensure it doesn't burn. Also, be sure not to overcrowd the basket, as this can prevent the bacon from browning and turning crispy.

• One recipe suggests cooking regular bacon for 8 minutes, then flipping it and cooking for about 7 minutes more.
• Another recipe recommends cooking thick-cut bacon at 400˚F for 10 minutes, checking halfway through, and adding 1 to 1.5 minutes if you want it crispier.
• A third recipe advises cooking regular bacon at 350˚F for 5 to 9 minutes and thick-cut bacon for 10 to 12 minutes.

So, depending on your preferences and the type of air fryer you have, the cooking time for bacon can range from 5 to 12 minutes. Just keep an eye on it to ensure it doesn't overcook, and enjoy your perfectly cooked air-fried bacon!

How to prevent the air fryer from smoking

Cooking bacon in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get crispy bacon without the mess. However, the high temperatures and fat content of bacon can cause smoking in your air fryer. Here are some tips to prevent this from happening:

Lower the Temperature

Although the ideal temperature for cooking bacon in an air fryer is around 390-400°F, this can be too high and cause smoking. Try lowering the temperature to 350°F to prevent smoking while still cooking the bacon thoroughly.

Use Water or Bread

If your air fryer is smoking, you can quickly stop this by placing a couple of tablespoons of water in the bottom of the appliance. The water will turn to steam and prevent grease from causing more smoke. Alternatively, you can place a slice of bread in the bottom of the air fryer to absorb the grease and prevent it from burning and smoking.

Keep Your Air Fryer Clean

A dirty air fryer is more likely to smoke, so be sure to clean it regularly. Wipe down the inside and heating elements with a damp cloth to remove any grease or food stuck on it. Also, clean out any grease left at the bottom of the air fryer. It is recommended to clean your air fryer after each use.

Don't Overcrowd the Basket

If you cook too much bacon at once, the hot air won't be able to circulate properly, and the food may burn and smoke. Instead, cook the bacon in batches to allow for proper airflow and even cooking.

Use the Correct Cook Time

The cook time for bacon in an air fryer can vary depending on the thickness of the bacon and your desired doneness. For regular bacon, cook for 7-9 minutes for softer bacon and 8-9 minutes for crispy bacon. For thick-cut bacon, cook for 9-12 minutes for softer bacon and 10-12 minutes for crispy bacon.

Use Parchment Paper

Line your air fryer basket with parchment paper to catch any grease and prevent it from dripping onto the heating element. Be sure to use parchment paper specifically designed for air fryers, as it has holes for air circulation.

Use Oils with High Smoke Points

When cooking fatty foods like bacon, use oils with high smoke points, such as avocado oil, vegetable oil, or light/refined olive oil. These oils can cook at higher temperatures without giving off too much smoke.

Ventilate Your Kitchen

If you are still experiencing smoking, try ventilating your kitchen by opening windows or turning on your vent hood. A well-ventilated kitchen can help reduce smoke and prevent your smoke alarm from going off.

How to cook bacon in the air fryer

Air-frying bacon is a quick and easy way to get crispy, evenly cooked bacon without the mess of stovetop cooking or oven baking. Plus, you get those beautiful, curly, crispy strips!

Step-by-step guide

Step 1: Prepare the air fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 350–400˚F. You don't need to preheat the air fryer for bacon, but some models recommend it.

Step 2: Prepare the bacon

Place the bacon strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overlapping the strips, but a few folds or a little touching at the edges are okay. If needed, cut the bacon slices in half crosswise to ensure they fit comfortably in the basket.

Step 3: Air-fry the bacon

Air-fry regular or thin-cut bacon at 350–400˚F for 7–10 minutes. For thicker cuts, fry at the same temperature for 9–12 minutes. Check the bacon halfway through, and rearrange the slices with tongs if necessary. For extra crispy bacon, add another minute or two.

Step 4: Drain the bacon

Use tongs to transfer the cooked bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess grease. Blot the bacon with paper towels if desired.

Step 5: Repeat for more batches

If cooking multiple batches, be sure to empty the bacon grease from the air fryer basket and wipe it down with a paper towel between batches to prevent smoking.

Tips

• Avoid overcrowding the basket. Layering in too many slices prevents the bacon from browning and turning crispy.
• Keep the drip tray clean to prevent smoking. Clean the tray before and after cooking, and stick to the recommended temperature.
• If you're cooking in batches, the second batch will usually cook faster as the air fryer is already heated.
• No need to flip the bacon! The air circulation in the fryer will ensure even cooking.
• For easy clean-up, add a slice of bread to the drip tray to absorb excess grease.

How to prevent bacon from smoking

Cooking bacon in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and less messy way to get your bacon fix. However, it can be tricky to get right, and you might end up with a smoke-filled kitchen if you're not careful. Here are some tips to prevent your air fryer from smoking when cooking bacon:

Temperature Control:

• Air fryers are small, countertop convection ovens, so they cook faster than conventional ovens. Therefore, they require lower temperatures.
• The ideal temperature for cooking bacon in an air fryer is 350˚F. This temperature provides crispy bacon without the risk of burning and reduces smoke.
• Cooking at a lower temperature prevents the bacon fat from overheating too quickly, which is one of the main causes of smoking.

Absorb Grease:

• Bacon produces a lot of grease, and when this builds up, it can start to smoke. To prevent this, place a slice of bread or a paper towel in the drip tray to absorb the excess grease.
• Alternatively, you can add a cup of water to the lower pan or use rock salt, which won't blow around and will soak up the grease.

Don't Overcrowd:

• Bacon should be arranged in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Overlapping bacon can lead to uneven cooking and increased smoke.
• If you need to cook a lot of bacon, do it in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer.

Keep an Eye:

Check your bacon every two minutes to ensure it doesn't burn. This is especially important if you're cooking thicker-cut bacon, which takes longer.

Preheat:

Preheating your air fryer is essential for consistent cooking and to help get that crispy texture.

Clean Regularly:

Make sure to clean your air fryer regularly, as built-up grease and residue can cause smoking.

By following these tips, you can enjoy perfectly crispy bacon from your air fryer without the smoke!

How long is leftover bacon good for?

To answer the question, 'How long do you put bacon in the air fryer?' it depends on the type of bacon and your desired crispiness. For regular bacon, air fry at 350˚F for 7-9 minutes, and for crispy bacon, cook for 8 to 9 minutes. For thick-cut bacon, air fry at the same temperature for 9-10 minutes for softer bacon, and 10-12 minutes for crispy bacon. One source suggests preheating an air fryer to 390˚F and frying the bacon for 8 minutes on one side, then flipping and cooking for a further 7 minutes.

Now, onto the question, 'How long is leftover bacon good for?'. When stored properly, leftover bacon will last for 4 to 5 days in the refrigerator. To extend its shelf life, freeze the cooked bacon; this will keep it edible for about 2 to 3 months, but it can be stored indefinitely in the freezer. To prevent food waste, it is important to refrigerate bacon within two hours of cooking.

To maximize the shelf life of cooked bacon, it should be stored in shallow airtight containers or wrapped tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic wrap. The best way to tell if cooked bacon has gone bad is by smell and appearance; discard the bacon if it has a sour smell or a slimy texture.

Frequently asked questions