Tillie Doyle
Cooking bacon in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and mess-free method that can produce crispy bacon in under 10 minutes. Air fryers are much more efficient at generating and circulating heat than conventional ovens, meaning you don't need as high a temperature to cook bacon. This also means there is less mess, as the grease collects underneath the basket in the drawer, so there are no grease splatters in the kitchen.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cook Time | 7-15 minutes |
| Temperature | 350-400˚F |
| Preheat | Not necessary |
| Clean-up | Easy |
| Grease | Minimal splatter |
| Style | Crispy |
| Bacon Type | Regular or thick-cut |
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What You'll Learn
Cook time and temperature
The ideal cook time and temperature for air-fried bacon depend on several factors, including the doneness and thickness of the bacon, as well as the style of your air fryer.
For regular-cut bacon, air fry at 350˚F (175˚C) for 7 minutes for softer bacon. Increase the cooking time to 8–9 minutes for crispy bacon. If you're using an air fryer that requires preheating, preheat it to 390˚F (200˚C) for 3 minutes.
For thick-cut bacon, air fry at 350˚F (175˚C) for 9–10 minutes for softer bacon. For crispy thick-cut bacon, increase the cooking time to 10–12 minutes.
If you're cooking in batches, be sure to discard any excess oil in the drip pan and wipe it clean between batches to prevent smoking. The smoke point of bacon fat is 400˚F, so air frying at 350˚F helps avoid any smokiness while cooking.
Some air fryers may not require preheating, and you can simply place the bacon strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket, cutting them in half if needed to fit more.
For thin-cut bacon, check the bacon after 5–6 minutes, as it cooks faster than thicker slices.
You can also experiment with different temperatures and cooking times to find your preferred level of doneness. For example, cooking at 350˚F for 6 minutes, flipping the bacon, and then cooking for an additional 4 minutes can result in crispy yet melt-in-your-mouth bacon.
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Air fryer preparation
Air fryers are a quick and easy way to cook bacon with minimal clean-up. The air fryer's efficient heat circulation cooks food quickly and effectively, making it ideal for bacon. The best part is that the grease collects underneath the basket in the drawer, so there are no greasy splatters in the kitchen.
To prepare your bacon in an air fryer, start by placing the bacon strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket. You may need to cut the strips in half to ensure they fit in a single layer. It is important to avoid overlapping the bacon strips, as this can impact cooking evenness. If you are cooking a large batch, you may need to cook the bacon in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer.
Set the temperature to between 350°F and 400°F (175°C-200°C). The ideal temperature will depend on your desired level of crispiness and the type of bacon you are using. For example, thinner bacon will cook faster and at a lower temperature than thicker bacon. Regular cut bacon will cook at 350°F for 7-9 minutes, while thick-cut bacon will take 9-12 minutes.
Once you have set the temperature and timer, let the air fryer work its magic! There is no need to flip the bacon halfway through cooking, as the circulating air will ensure even cooking. When the timer goes off, carefully remove the bacon from the air fryer using tongs and transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess grease. Finally, serve and enjoy your perfectly cooked bacon!
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Placing the bacon
The number of bacon slices you can cook at once will depend on the size of your air fryer basket. For example, if you have a 3.6-quart air fryer, you can cook about 4 to 5 slices of thick-cut bacon at a time. If you are cooking a large batch of bacon, you may need to cook it in several batches.
When placing the bacon in the air fryer, it is also important to consider the thickness of the bacon. Regular cut bacon will cook faster than thick-cut bacon. Additionally, if you are using turkey bacon, keep in mind that it is leaner and thinner than regular bacon, so it will require a shorter cooking time.
Finally, if you are cooking bacon in batches, be sure to remove any excess grease from the drip pan or basket before adding more bacon. This will help to prevent smoking and make cleanup easier.
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Flipping the bacon
For thin-cut bacon, check after 5-6 minutes, as it cooks faster than thick-cut bacon. The total cooking time for thin-cut bacon should be between 5 and 9 minutes, depending on your desired crispness. If you are cooking in batches, be sure to drain the drip pan of any oil and wipe it clean with a paper towel between batches.
For thick-cut bacon, air fry at 350˚F for 9-10 minutes for softer bacon, and 10-12 minutes for crispy bacon. If you are cooking thick-cut bacon in batches, follow the same procedure as for thin-cut bacon, draining the drip pan and wiping it clean between batches.
If you prefer to flip your bacon, you can do so at the halfway point of the cooking time. For example, if cooking thin-cut bacon for a total of 8 minutes, flip the bacon after 4 minutes. Similarly, for thick-cut bacon cooked for a total of 12 minutes, flip the bacon after 6 minutes.
It's important to note that the cook time may vary depending on your desired doneness, the thickness of the bacon, and the style of your air fryer. Some air fryers recommend preheating, but it is generally not necessary for bacon.
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Serving the bacon
Once the bacon is cooked, carefully transfer it from the air fryer basket to a plate. You can line the plate with paper towels to soak up any excess grease. If you're cooking in batches, remember to drain the drip pan of any oil and wipe it clean with a paper towel before starting a new batch.
You can serve the bacon as part of a full breakfast or in a sandwich, such as a BLT or breakfast sandwich. It also goes well with eggs, whether that's in an omelette, scrambled, poached, or devilled. You could also add it to a tortilla or chicken wrap, or have it on top of a salad, such as a Caesar salad. Bacon can also be used as a topping for dishes like pierogi, zuppa Toscana, or clam chowder.
If you want to keep the bacon warm while you cook the rest of your meal, you can leave it in the oven at a low temperature, such as 200°F (93°C).
Leftover bacon can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
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Frequently asked questions
The ideal temperature is 350˚F to 390˚F (175˚C to 200˚C). Cooking at a lower temperature helps to cook the bacon evenly and prevents excess splatter.
It depends on the thickness of the bacon and the style of the air fryer. For thin-cut bacon, check after 5-7 minutes. For regular-cut bacon, it takes 7-9 minutes for softer bacon and 8-9 minutes for crispy bacon. For thick-cut bacon, it takes 9-12 minutes for softer bacon and 10-12 minutes for crispy bacon.
Place the bacon strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overlapping. If needed, cut the strips in half to fit more.
Cooking bacon in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and mess-free method. It takes less time to heat up than a conventional oven, and there are no greasy splatters in the kitchen.
To reduce smoking, cook at a lower temperature and remove excess fat between batches. Use a paper towel to drain the oil and wipe clean the drip pan. You can also put a thin slice of bread at the bottom of the air fryer to absorb grease.
