Air-Fryer Thick Bacon: Cooking Time Perfection

Thick-cut bacon can be cooked in an air fryer in around 8-10 minutes for softer bacon, and 10-12 minutes for crispy bacon. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the bacon and the style of air fryer, as well as your desired level of crispiness.

Cooking times for thick bacon

Thick-cut bacon is a delicious breakfast or brunch option, and cooking it in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get mouthwateringly crispy results.

The cooking time for thick-cut bacon in an air fryer will depend on how crispy you like your bacon and the type of air fryer you have. As a general rule, thick-cut bacon will take between 8 and 14 minutes to cook in an air fryer. For softer bacon, air fry at 350˚F for 9-10 minutes, and for crispy bacon, cook for 10-12 minutes. If you like your bacon extra crispy, you may want to cook it for up to 14 minutes.

It's important to keep an eye on your bacon while it's cooking in the air fryer and adjust the cooking time as needed. Thick-cut bacon can vary in thickness, so you may need to cook it for a little longer or shorter depending on the specific package you have.

To cook thick-cut bacon in an air fryer, start by arranging the bacon slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. You may need to cook the bacon in batches if your air fryer is on the smaller side. Lightly brush one side of the bacon with a tiny layer of rapeseed oil (less than 1 teaspoon) to help it crisp up. Then, heat the bacon for 4 minutes, rotate the slices, and heat for another 4-6 minutes, depending on how crispy you like your bacon.

Cooking times for regular bacon

The cooking time for regular bacon in an air fryer depends on how crispy you like it. For softer bacon, air fry at 350˚F for 7 minutes, and for crispy bacon, cook for 8 to 9 minutes. If you're cooking thick-cut bacon, you'll need to increase the cooking time to 9-10 minutes for softer bacon, and 10-12 minutes for crispy bacon.

If you're using an air fryer, there's no need to preheat it. Simply arrange the bacon slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them. You may need to cook the bacon in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.

Halfway through cooking, flip the bacon strips to ensure even cooking on both sides. Once cooked, use tongs to transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess grease. Allow the bacon to cool for 1-2 minutes before serving to avoid any burns.

Cooking times may vary depending on the thickness of your bacon and the type of air fryer you have, so adjust accordingly. The trick with any bacon you cook in the air fryer is to keep an eye on it and cook it to your liking.

How to arrange bacon in the air fryer

Cooking thick bacon in an air fryer takes around 8-10 minutes for softer bacon, and 10-14 minutes for crispy bacon. The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the bacon and your desired level of crispiness.

To arrange bacon in the air fryer, place the bacon slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them. You may need to cook the bacon in batches depending on the size of your air fryer. Lightly brush one side of the bacon with a thin layer of rapeseed oil (less than 1 teaspoon). Heat for 4 minutes, then rotate and heat for a further 4-6 minutes, depending on how crispy you like your bacon. Halfway through cooking, flip the bacon strips using tongs to ensure even cooking on both sides.

Once the bacon is cooked, use tongs to carefully transfer it onto a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess grease. Allow the bacon to cool for 1-2 minutes before serving to avoid any burns.

Note that cooking times may vary depending on the thickness of your bacon and the type of air fryer you have. Adjust the cooking time accordingly.

How to tell when bacon is cooked

The cooking time for bacon in an air fryer depends on the thickness of the bacon, the style of the air fryer, and how crispy you like your bacon. For thick-cut bacon, it should take 8-10 minutes to cook, and 10-14 minutes to get it crispy. However, some sources suggest that thick-cut bacon should be cooked for 9-12 minutes, and crispy bacon for 10-12 minutes.

To tell when bacon is cooked, you should keep an eye on it and cook it to your liking. You can also flip the bacon strips halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking on both sides. Once cooked, use tongs to transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess grease. Allow the bacon to cool for 1-2 minutes before serving to avoid any burns.

How to serve bacon

Cooking thick bacon in an air fryer takes around 8-10 minutes at 350°F (180°C) for just cooked bacon, and 10-14 minutes for crispy bacon. The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the bacon and your desired level of crispiness.

Once the bacon is cooked to your liking, use tongs to carefully transfer the bacon onto a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess grease. Allow the bacon to cool for 1-2 minutes before serving to avoid any burns. You can serve the bacon as part of a full English breakfast, with eggs, beans, and toast, or as a topping for a bacon cheeseburger. You could also try wrapping bacon around other foods, such as chicken or asparagus, for a savoury treat.

Frequently asked questions