Air Fryer Crispy Bacon: Quick, Easy, Delicious

Cooking bacon in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and mess-free way to get crispy bacon. It's faster than cooking bacon in an oven and you don't have to worry about grease splattering all over your stove. The air fryer also gives you those beautiful, curly, crispy strips that you don't get from oven-baked bacon.

Cook time and temperature

The ideal cook time and temperature for your bacon in an air fryer will depend on the type of bacon you are cooking, the style of your air fryer, and how crispy you like it.

Regular cut bacon will take 7-9 minutes at 350˚F to cook in an air fryer. If you like softer bacon, you should aim for 7 minutes, whereas crispy bacon will need 8-9 minutes.

Thick-cut bacon will take a little longer. For softer bacon, air fry at 350˚F for 9-10 minutes, and for crispy bacon, cook for 10-12 minutes.

If you are using thin-cut bacon, check after 5-6 minutes as it will cook faster. One source suggests that thin-cut bacon will take 5 to 9 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas thick-cut bacon will take 10 to 12 minutes. Another source recommends cooking thin-cut bacon at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes.

It is important to note that air fryer models vary, so it is a good idea to check your bacon regularly to ensure it doesn't burn. You may also want to rearrange the slices with tongs halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking.

Don't overcrowd the basket

When cooking bacon in an air fryer, it's important not to overcrowd the basket. This is a crucial step to ensure that your bacon comes out crispy and evenly cooked. By giving the bacon strips enough space, hot air can circulate properly and evenly cook each piece.

If you pile too much bacon into the air fryer, the strips will end up overlapping or even stacked on top of each other. This will prevent the hot air from reaching all the bacon, leading to uneven cooking. Some pieces may end up undercooked or soggy, while others become overly crispy or even burnt.

To get the best results, arrange the bacon strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket. They can be close together, but avoid having them overlap. If you're cooking a large amount of bacon, you may need to cook it in batches.

While it may be tempting to fit as much bacon as possible into the air fryer to speed up the cooking process, overcrowding will likely lead to less than ideal results. It's better to take the time to cook the bacon in batches, ensuring that each strip has the space it needs to get perfectly crispy.

By following this tip and giving your bacon room to breathe, you'll end up with a delicious batch of crispy, evenly cooked bacon every time. So, take your time, don't overcrowd the basket, and enjoy the fruits of your labor—or, in this case, the crispy, mouthwatering bacon!

Clean the drip tray to prevent smoking

When cooking bacon in an air fryer, it's important to keep the drip tray clean to prevent smoking. Bacon releases a lot of fat as it cooks, and this can build up in the drip tray, causing smoke. Here are some tips to help you keep your drip tray clean and avoid smoking:

Firstly, always clean the drip tray before and after cooking bacon. This will ensure that there is no built-up grease or fat to cause smoking. Wipe the tray clean with a paper towel or a warm, soapy cloth. It's important to do this every time you cook bacon in your air fryer.

Secondly, if you're cooking in batches, be sure to drain the drip tray of any oil between batches. This will help to prevent the oil from burning and smoking. You can also add a piece of bread to the drip tray to absorb excess fat. The bread will soak up the grease and prevent it from splattering and smoking.

Another trick to prevent smoking is to add a small amount of water to the drip tray. This can help to diffuse the grease and prevent it from burning. However, be careful not to add too much water, as this can create a steaming effect and make your food mushy.

Finally, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. This will help to ensure proper airflow and prevent grease from building up and smoking. By following these simple tips, you can keep your drip tray clean and enjoy perfectly crispy bacon without any smoking issues.

Blot with paper towels

Blotting with paper towels is an important step in the air fryer bacon process. Once you have cooked your bacon to your desired level of crispiness, you will need to transfer it to a plate lined with paper towels. This is an important step as it helps to soak up and drain off any excess grease. You can then blot the bacon with paper towels to remove any additional grease. This will ensure your bacon has a crunchy outside and chewy inside.

After blotting the bacon with paper towels, you can serve it immediately or store it for later. If you are not eating the bacon right away, it is important to let it cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Cooked bacon can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four to five days or in the freezer for up to one month.

When cooking bacon in the air fryer, it is also important to keep the drip tray clean to prevent smoking. Bacon releases a lot of fat while it cooks, which can drip into the tray and cause smoke. To avoid this, be sure to clean the drip tray before and after cooking, and stick to the recommended temperature in the recipe.

Additionally, if you are cooking multiple batches of bacon, be sure to empty the bacon grease from the lower portion of the air fryer basket before cooking each new batch. This will help to prevent the bacon from becoming too greasy and will also reduce the risk of smoking.

Cut slices in half

To make crispy bacon in the air fryer, you'll want to cut your bacon slices in half crosswise. This will help them cook more evenly and fit more comfortably in the air fryer basket. You should also ensure that you don't overcrowd the basket, as this can prevent the bacon from browning and turning crispy.

When cutting the bacon slices in half, use a sharp knife and try to make even cuts so that the pieces are of a similar size. This will help them cook more uniformly. You may also want to trim off any excess fat or skin from the edges of the bacon slices before cutting them in half, to help reduce shrinkage during cooking.

Once you've cut the slices in half, arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. It's okay if the edges touch slightly, but avoid overlapping the pieces as this can affect how evenly they cook. Depending on the size of your air fryer basket and the number of slices you're cooking, you may need to cook the bacon in batches.

After you've arranged the bacon slices in the basket, follow the recommended cooking times and temperatures for your desired level of crispiness. For thin-cut bacon, cook at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 to 9 minutes, and for thick-cut bacon, cook at the same temperature for 10 to 12 minutes. Be sure to check on the bacon regularly to ensure it doesn't burn.

By cutting the bacon slices in half and following these cooking instructions, you'll end up with perfectly crispy bacon that's evenly cooked and ready to be enjoyed!

Frequently asked questions