Air Fryer Crispy Bacon: The Perfect Method

Cooking bacon in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and less messy alternative to frying bacon on a stovetop. The air fryer method is also faster than baking bacon in the oven as it doesn't require preheating. To make crispy bacon in an air fryer, cut the bacon slices in half and place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Set the air fryer to 350-400˚F and cook for 7-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the bacon and your desired crispness. For softer bacon, air fry for a shorter duration, and for crispy bacon, increase the cooking time. Once the bacon is cooked to your liking, transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess grease before serving.

Cut the bacon slices in half crosswise

Cutting the bacon slices in half crosswise is a good idea for a few reasons. Firstly, it helps the bacon cook more evenly. By reducing the length of the bacon slices, you allow more hot air to circulate around them, ensuring that they crisp up nicely.

Secondly, cutting the bacon slices in half makes them easier to fit in the air fryer basket. You want to ensure that the bacon is laid out in a single layer, with the slices touching at the edges but not overlapping or layered on top of each other. Cutting the slices in half helps you maximise the space in the basket and fit more bacon in, if you need to.

Finally, cutting the bacon slices in half also makes them a more manageable size for serving. Whether you're adding bacon to a BLT sandwich, crumbling it over a salad, or serving it alongside some fried eggs, you'll probably find that smaller pieces are more convenient.

To cut the bacon slices in half crosswise, simply use a sharp knife to slice through the middle of each piece of bacon. You can do this before or after arranging the bacon in the air fryer basket, whichever you find easier.

Place the bacon in a single layer in the air fryer basket

When preparing bacon in an air fryer, it is important to place the bacon slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. This allows the hot air to circulate evenly around each slice, ensuring that the bacon cooks uniformly and becomes crispy. It is okay if the edges of the bacon slices touch slightly, but they should not overlap or be layered on top of each other. If your air fryer is on the smaller side, you may need to cut the bacon strips in half to ensure they fit in a single layer without overlapping.

Depending on the size of your air fryer basket and the number of bacon strips you wish to cook at once, you may need to cook the bacon in batches. For example, if you are cooking a large batch of bacon, you may need to cook it in several smaller batches to ensure that the bacon cooks properly and doesn't become overcrowded in the basket. This technique is especially useful if you are cooking for a larger group or if you want to prepare bacon ahead of time for meal prep.

When placing the bacon in the air fryer basket, use tongs to arrange the slices neatly and avoid touching the hot surfaces of the air fryer. It is also a good idea to check that the air fryer basket is clean and free of any residue before adding the bacon. This will help prevent any unwanted flavours or smoke from transferring to your bacon.

Once you have placed the bacon in the air fryer basket in a single layer, you are ready to start cooking! Set your air fryer to the desired temperature and timer, depending on the thickness of your bacon and your preferred level of crispiness. Remember to keep an eye on the bacon as it cooks to avoid overcooking or burning. Enjoy your crispy air fryer bacon!

Cook at 350-400˚F for 5-15 minutes

Cooking bacon in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get crispy bacon. It's also a lot less messy than cooking it on a stovetop or in the oven.

The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the bacon and how crispy you like it. For regular cut bacon, air fry at 350-400˚F for 5-9 minutes. For thicker cut bacon, increase the cooking time to 10-15 minutes. You may need to experiment with the timings to find your preferred level of crispiness.

If you are cooking more than one batch of bacon, remember to pour out any excess grease and wipe the bottom of the air fryer basket with a paper towel between batches.

You can also add a slice of bread to the bottom of the air fryer to help prevent smoking, but cooking at a lower temperature should be sufficient to prevent this.

Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate

Once your bacon has reached the desired level of crispiness, it's time to transfer it from the air fryer basket to a plate. But not just any plate—you'll want to line this one with paper towels. Why? Because the paper towels will absorb any excess grease, leaving you with a perfectly crispy slice of bacon.

To do this, carefully remove the bacon from the air fryer basket using tongs. You don't want to burn yourself on the hot grease! Place the bacon on the paper towel-lined plate and blot it lightly to soak up any extra grease.

If you're cooking multiple batches of bacon, you'll want to repeat this process with each batch. Be sure to drain the hot grease from the air fryer basket before adding a new batch. This will help prevent your bacon from becoming soggy and ensure that it comes out perfectly crispy every time.

And that's it! Now you know how to transfer your bacon to a paper towel-lined plate like a pro. Enjoy your delicious, crispy air fryer bacon!

Clean the air fryer by pouring out the grease and washing with warm soapy water

Once you've cooked your bacon, you'll need to clean your air fryer. This is a simple process and will ensure your appliance is ready to use again.

First, pour out any grease that has collected in the bottom of the air fryer. Then, wash the basket with warm soapy water. If your air fryer has cooled down, you may want to wipe down the inside with a damp cloth to clean off any grease spatters.

Some people also recommend wiping out the inside of the air fryer with a paper towel or damp cloth if you are going to cook another batch of bacon. This will help to prevent any leftover grease from smoking.

Frequently asked questions