Air Fryer Bacon: Perfect Temperature Tips

Cooking bacon in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get crispy bacon. The best temperature to cook bacon in an air fryer is 350°F (180°C) to avoid the risk of exploding bacon and grease fires. However, some recipes suggest cooking at 400°F for 9-11 minutes, depending on how crispy you like your bacon.

The best temperature to cook bacon in an air fryer is 350°F (180°C)

If you're cooking in batches, be sure to drain the drip pan of any oil and wipe it clean with a paper towel. You can also put a thin slice of bread flat in the bottom of the air fryer (beneath the basket) to absorb grease, simplify cleaning, and reduce smoking.

If you're cooking thin-cut bacon, check it after 5-6 minutes, as it will cook faster. For crispy bacon, cook for 8-10 minutes.

Cooking bacon in batches

To cook bacon in batches, start by dividing your bacon strips in half. Place the first half in the air fryer in a single layer, making sure there is space between the slices for circulation. Set the temperature to 350°F and the timer to 10 minutes for thick-cut bacon (check thinner bacon after 5-6 minutes as it will cook faster).

Halfway through the cooking time, use tongs to check on the bacon and rearrange the slices if needed. Cook for the remainder of the time, checking for your desired level of doneness. For crispy bacon, you may need to add an extra minute or two.

Once the bacon is cooked to your liking, carefully transfer it to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain any excess grease. Repeat the process with the remaining bacon slices, making sure to clean the grease out of the drip pan between batches to prevent smoking.

Cooking bacon in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get perfectly crispy bacon, and cooking in batches means you'll always have some on hand for a delicious snack or breakfast side.

How to avoid smoking when cooking bacon

Cooking bacon in an air fryer is a great way to get crispy bacon without the mess of a frying pan. However, it can be tricky to avoid smoking when cooking bacon, as the high temperatures and grease can cause smoke. Here are some tips to avoid smoking when cooking bacon in an air fryer:

Firstly, set the temperature correctly. The ideal temperature for cooking bacon in an air fryer is 350°F (180°C). If you go higher than this, you risk the bacon grease starting to smoke. If you want to cook your bacon at a higher temperature, you can try cooking at 400°F, but be aware that this is the smoke point of bacon fat, so you will need to take extra precautions to avoid smoking.

Secondly, keep an eye on your bacon while it's cooking. Check it regularly to make sure it's not burning or smoking. If you're cooking multiple batches of bacon, be sure to drain the drip pan of any oil and wipe it clean with a paper towel between batches. You can also put a thin slice of bread in the bottom of the air fryer to absorb grease and reduce smoking.

Finally, make sure you clean the grease out of the drip pan after cooking. If you don't, the grease will build up and could start to smoke the next time you use your air fryer.

How to cook thin-cut bacon in an air fryer

Cooking bacon in an air fryer is a great way to get crispy bacon without the mess of a frying pan. The ideal temperature for cooking bacon in an air fryer is 350°F (180°C). If you go higher, you risk the bacon exploding or the grease in the drip pan starting to smoke.

To cook thin-cut bacon in an air fryer, set the temperature to 400°F and the timer to 5-6 minutes. Check it halfway through to see if anything needs to be rearranged, and cook for the remainder of the time. Check for your desired doneness. If you like your bacon extra crispy, you can cook it for an extra minute or two.

When cooking bacon in an air fryer, it's important to keep an eye on it and cook it to your liking. There will be a lot of grease dripping into the drip pan, so be sure to drain this and wipe the pan clean with a paper towel between batches. You can also put a thin slice of bread in the bottom of the air fryer to absorb grease and reduce smoking.

How to cook frozen bacon in an air fryer

Cooking bacon in an air fryer is easy. The best temperature for cooking bacon in an air fryer is 350°F (180°C). If you go higher, you risk the bacon exploding and the grease in the drip pan starting to smoke.

To cook frozen bacon in an air fryer, first, thaw the bacon in the air fryer at 350°F (180°C) for 4 minutes. Separate the slices in the air fryer and leave space between them for circulation. Then, cook for another 5-8 minutes for just done, or 8-10 minutes for crispy. Drain the grease on a plate lined with a paper towel.

If you're cooking in batches, be sure to drain the drip pan of any oil and wipe it clean with a paper towel. You can also put a thin slice of bread flat in the bottom of the air fryer (beneath the basket) to absorb grease, simplify cleaning, and reduce smoking.

If you're cooking fresh bacon, divide the bacon strips in half and place the first half in the air fryer in a single layer. Set the temperature to 400°F and the timer to 10 minutes (less for thinner bacon). Check halfway through to see if anything needs to be rearranged (tongs are helpful). Cook the remainder of the time and check for your desired doneness.

Frequently asked questions