I love finding new and exciting ways to use my Air Fryer and this is my favorite trick yet. This air fryer bacon is finished in under 10 minutes (even with thick cut bacon), and no greasy mess all over the stove! I also give tricks for insuring there is no smoke while making bacon in the air fryer. This recipe is perfect for cooking small batches of bacon. If you want to feed a crowd, I recommend cooking your bacon in the oven.
The air fryer is the new buzz worthy appliance and with good reason. Bacon in the air fryer yields crispy bacon that is ready in 8-10 minutes and with no mess on your stove top. I also notice that this bacon is more tender than bacon cooked on the stove top. It will become your go-to method for the crispiest bacon.
Like most people, I am a lover of bacon. I have tried different ways to make the best bacon over the years and I think I have found this method to be my new favorite way! Also check out my bacon wrapped asparagus for another bacon treat in the air fryer.
When cooking bacon in a skillet (traditional way) it splatters all over the stove. When making oven-baked bacon, it splatters all over the oven. I need a method with the less mess so now I air fry bacon for minimal mess and because it gives me perfectly cooked bacon slices every time.
Cooking bacon in the air fryer is the easiest way and will give you delicious bacon every single time! It truly is a total game-changer. I have a 6 quart air fryer and I can cook up to 7 pieces of thick cut bacon at a time. This method also works with smaller air fryers. The trick for fitting more bacon in your air fryer is to cut the strips in half, widthwise and then place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer. This also helps the bacon cook quicker!
Of course, with this easy air fryer bacon recipe, the cook time will depend on the thickness of the bacon. Thin bacon, regular bacon, and thick-cut bacon will all take different times to cook. No matter what type of bacon you have, this cooking process will be the best way to have tasty bacon in less time.
Is it safe to cook bacon in an air fryer?
It is important that you follow the directions and safety precautions of your particular air fryer. I have a Nuwave Brio 6 quart air fryer and their instructions do not prohibit the cooking of greasy foods.
You can also use an air fryer oven and cover the drip tray with aluminum foil for easy cleanup. The best part of this crispy air fryer bacon recipe is the clean up!
Bacon smoking?
If you are cooking bacon in your air fryer and it starts to produce white smoke, that is the bacon grease oxidizing. This is probably because your air fryer is set on too high of a temperature, or it could mean you need to wipe out the inside of your air fryer (when it is room temperature) to remove any excess grease from the heating element.
We cook the bacon in the air fryer at 320 degrees F because the smoke point of bacon fat is 325F. This is the temperature at which bacon fat starts to oxidize and smoke. This is how we avoid smoke while cooking bacon! If you want to cook a second batch of bacon immediately after the first, you need to drain any grease from the basket and wipe it out so the fat doesn't oxidize.
Is cooking bacon in the air fryer healthier?
No, there is nothing different about cooking bacon in the air fryer than in the oven or in a skillet (if you drain your bacon on paper towels). The air fryer is essentially a mini convection oven. What would make bacon "healthier" as in less calories and fat, is to make it as crispy as possible which would render as much fat from the bacon as possible. If you cook your air-fried bacon to where it is not very crispy, it will have more fat, which means more calories.
Cooking times - thickness of your bacon matters
For this recipe, I set the air fryer to a lower temperature of 320F, and the time to 9 minutes. This is truly the best temperature to avoid smoke and for the best results. This is with thin bacon, so if your bacon is thicker, it will take a little longer. You can check on the bacon and add more time if you need to. This method also works with turkey bacon.
No matter the size of your air fryer, as long as you place your strips of bacon in a single layer, this air fryer method will work.
Leftover bacon? Try these great recipes:
- The Best Fried Cabbage with Crispy Bacon
- Crustless Quiche with Bacon and Spinach
- Cream Cheese Chicken with Bacon
- Keto Egg Salad with Bacon
Checkout these other air fryer recipes for the whole family:
- Air fryer crispy Brussels sprouts
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- chicken breast in the air fryer
- Air Fryer pork chops
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The Best Bacon in the Air Fryer - Thick or Thin Bacon!
Ingredients
- 3-7 Pieces Bacon, cut in half widthwise
Instructions
- Lay the bacon in the Air fryer basket in a single layer. For the best air fryer bacon, it is important to not crowd the air fryer. If your air fryer is smaller, you may only be able to cook a few pieces at a time.
- Cook the bacon at 320F for 9 minutes (thick cut bacon) or shorter for thinner bacon. Check the bacon throughout the cooking time to make sure it isn't overcooking.
Jennifer's tips
- This method also works with turkey bacon
- If you want to cook a second batch of bacon immediately after the first, you need to drain any grease from the basket.
- After cooking and the air fryer is cool, take a damp paper towel and wipe any grease that has splattered onto the inside of the air fryer...especially the heating element at the top. This will keep the bacon from smoking next time.
- Bacon smoking?: The smoke point of bacon fat is 325F. Since we are cooking this bacon at 320F, there should be no smoke. If there is smoke, that would be from leftover grease on the inside of the air fryer that has oxidized. When your air fryer is cool, wipe the inside with a damp cloth.
Nutrition per serving
Nutrition is provided as a courtesy only. Please re-calculate on your own with the ingredients and amounts you used for the most accurate data.
Aquila Clark says
This is delicious. But this is what I do with all my low sodium bacon I cook. Run 2 slices (that is what I eat every day) in a bowl of water thru the microwave for 45 seconds. You will be surprised how much more of the salt comes out. I have mine with avocado toast and some type of fruit.This is for those who have to watch your sodium.
Parrot says
The top about the temp bacon will produce smoke was soooo helpful. I won't be cooking bacon any other way now. This was quick, easy and delicious.
Steve UMBREIT says
Can't have bacon any other way now! I do 360 for 10 minutes. Crispy and delicious.
Matt Steele says
I'm going to try this tonight
Leo says
Great solution! I tried this method today. It was a mess-free experience.
Thank you/
Amanda says
I tried this for the first time. I have a slide in air fryer (Bella brand) and it has trays that slide in similar to a toaster oven, so not a basket style fryer. I did turn down the temp but it still smokes a lot. The only way I can think to work around is to open the door and let it release some smoke and then resume. That kept the smoke from billowing up too much inside which definitely risks setting off my overly sensitive smoke detector. I cut my pieces in half to fit the trays. I had problems with my pieces completely curling up. I like the suggestion of laying a metal sheet on top and might try that next time. The other issue with this method is I could only do 4 total pieces across two metal trays. It,would take quite awhile to do a full package using this method, but it does keep the grease contained and not splattering all over my kitchen and my clothes. It might be perfect for someone who wants to cook up just a few pieces at a time.
Stephanie says
i appreciate all the tips.
Phillip says
Finally...perfect air fryer bacon! Thank you Thank you Thank you!!!
Jamie says
I was super excited to cook bacon in my new air fryer until I saw this picture. Looks like you can only cook 5 pieces of bacon at one time. I always cook 1 lb over the weekend. It wound be less time and hassle to pan fry or bake it in the oven.
Frieda says
Thank you for the fat oxidizing information. I have been cooking at 400, but will cook my bacon at the lower temperature. I always put a flat rack on top of the bacon so it doesn't fly around and it cooks flat.
Kelly says
I have the Brio 6 qt and my first time using it I have chosen to try cooking bacon. Was I Supposed to pre heat before I put the bacon in? After 9 mins the bacon (3 1/2 pieces) was still very raw. Not even close to being cooked.
jenniferbanz says
I usually don't pre-heat. Your bacon may have just been on the thicker side
Peggy Baker says
How do you cook pork chops in the air fryer..Please share any other recipes you may have for air fryer cooking..I have watched the bacon, chicken wings, chicken breast n Brussels sprouts video you have shared..thank you for sharing..
jenniferbanz says
Hi Peggy, I have a whole air fryer section right here: https://jenniferbanz.com/category/recipes/air-fryer
Lexi says
Perfect timing and temp. 🙂 thank you for sharing!
To people questioning about the grease and clean up.. I line my bottom pan (under rack with bacon on it) with aluminum foil. Then, when cooled I remove and discard safely. Easier clean up, along with your suggestion of the damp rag when fryer is cooled.
Kim says
I find the foil prevents consistency throughout the slice, effecting that final bite!
Italian93 says
I have done this recipe plenty of times and it’s the only way I do bacon anymore. I think other reviewers have said something about the remedy to the smoke issue, but I will just say I pour 1/4 cup of water in the bottom and have had Zero smoke
Alicia says
I've had my air fryer for a year and looked non-stop for an answer to this question. My airfryer (a digital Gourmia) has slits all through the sides of the basket, which makes draining the bacon fat A NIGHTMARE. Has anyone come up with a smarter way to drain it than dumping it in a big metal bowl so the grease will flow through the top AND slits?
jenniferbanz says
I guess I'm not understanding your question. That air fryer has a removable basket, correct? So the bacon fat would fall down into the drawer and you remove the basket, then drain the fat from the drawer.
Kelsey says
I get what you are saying. The drawer of my air fryer has slits so if I try to drain bacon grease, it go through the slits and everywhere instead of just into the glass jar. I’m wondering if I can line the bottom with foil then when the grease cools just pull out the foil and toss?
Donna L Scannell says
Mine smokes like crazy. Why? Smoke detector I guess doesn't work.
jenniferbanz says
Mine only starts to smoke if I start to make a second batch without dumping the grease
Laurie says
If you use it alot for greasy foods, tip it upside down to clean the built up grease from the elements.
David says
Thank you for the wonderful tips. No more bacon grease to clean on stove top!
Judy says
Worked out well... quick, easy and clean up was a snap! I didn't have thick cut bacon and the regular cut took 6 minutes. Next I'll try your brussel sprout recipe!
Tammy says
Did you get a picture of how you lay the slices sideways?
Aimee Shugarman says
Loved how easy this is to make, and no splatter on my stove top, haha!
Kate says
What a great use of the air fryer! Awesome that it's easy but also healthier.
Liz says
This is my new favorite way of cooking bacon! I love how easy and quick it is!
Nellie Tracy says
Definitely the very best way to make bacon! Thanks for sharing!