If you’ve ever wondered how to cook bacon in an air fryer without the mess, the splattering oil, or the greasy clean-up, you’re about to love this method. As someone who has cooked bacon every possible way, oven, skillet, microwave, the air fryer consistently delivers the fastest, cleanest, and crispest results. Whether you prefer thick-cut, regular, soft-center, or shatter-crispy bacon, this guide will show you exactly how to get perfect strips every time. It’s a game-changing approach that works beautifully even if you’re new to air frying. Once you see how simple and reliable it is, you may never cook bacon any other way again.
Why Air Fryer Bacon Works So Well
Cooking bacon in an air fryer solves the biggest issues of traditional methods. Instead of sitting in its own grease (like in a pan) or taking 20 minutes (like in the oven), the air fryer circulates hot air around the strips for even, fast crisping. It also keeps the grease contained so your stovetop stays clean.
The result is bacon that’s crisp along the edges, tender in the center, and evenly cooked without babysitting or flipping constantly.
What You Need
- Bacon: regular or thick-cut
- Air fryer: basket or tray-style
- Tongs
- Paper towels
- Optional: bread slices or 1 cup of water to reduce smoke
Step-By-Step: How to Cook Bacon in an Air Fryer
The steps below work for any air fryer brand, including Ninja, Cosori, Instant, Philips, and Dash.
1. Prepare the Air Fryer
This step helps reduce smoking and makes cleanup easier.
You can use either method:
- Place one to two slices of bread under the basket to absorb grease
- Add 1 cup of water to the bottom of the tray
Preheating is optional. If your air fryer runs cooler, preheat for 2–3 minutes at 350°F.
2. Arrange the Bacon
Lay the bacon strips in a single layer inside the basket.
- Slight touching is fine; bacon shrinks as it cooks.
- Do not overlap strips.
- For smaller air fryers, cut the strips in half for a better fit.
This ensures even crisping.
3. Cook at 350°F (175°C)
The ideal temperature for air fryer bacon is 350°F. Higher temperatures may cause smoking or burnt edges.
Cooking Times
Regular-cut: 7–10 minutes
Thick-cut: 10–12 minutes
Extra crispy: add 1–2 more minutes
Flip halfway
Use tongs to flip strips around the halfway mark so both sides crisp evenly.
As bacon cooks, listen for gentle sizzling. If it becomes very quiet, check it early—it may already be done.
4. Drain and Serve
Transfer cooked bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess grease.
If cooking several batches, pour out the grease from the bottom of the air fryer after each round to prevent smoking.
Quick Comparison Table: Regular vs Thick-Cut Bacon in the Air Fryer
| Bacon Type | Temperature | Cook Time | Texture Outcome | Best For |
| Regular-Cut | 350°F | 7–10 min | Crispy edges, tender center | Breakfast plates, salads, sandwiches |
| Thick-Cut | 350°F | 10–12 min | Meatier bite, deep crisp | Burgers, BLTs, topping casseroles |
This table helps you fine-tune your cook time based on your texture preference.
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Bacon
These expert tweaks make a big difference in your final results.
Adjust for thickness
Thicker slices always need an extra minute or two.
Don’t walk away
Air fryers vary. Start checking 2–3 minutes before the lower recommended time.
Prevent curling
Place a mesh rack over the strips if your air fryer has one. This keeps bacon flat.
Keep the air fryer clean
Clean regularly to prevent smoke from burnt grease or previous food.
Avoid overcrowding
Airflow = crisp bacon. If strips overlap, they steam rather than crisp.
Why Air Fryer Bacon Is Better Than Stove or Oven Methods
Cleaner
No grease popping from the skillet.
Faster
Most batches finish in under 10 minutes.
More consistent
Circulated hot air means no cold spots or soggy edges.
Less greasy
Grease drips away rather than pooling under the strips.
Air Fryer Bacon Troubleshooting
Bacon is smoking
- Add fresh water to the bottom of the tray
- Remove built-up grease
- Avoid temperatures over 350°F
Bacon comes out soft or soggy
- Increase cooking time
- Flip halfway through
- Cook in a single layer
Bacon burns around the edges
- Lower temperature
- Check 2 minutes earlier
- Avoid preheating on high heat
Bacon curls up
- Weigh it down with a rack
- Cut into shorter strips to reduce curling
Creative Variations
Maple-Glazed Bacon
Brush strips with maple syrup during the last 2 minutes.
Peppered Bacon
Coat with coarse black pepper before cooking.
Candied Bacon
Sprinkle brown sugar on top and cook until caramelized.
Spicy Bacon
Dust with paprika or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
These variations cook beautifully in the air fryer because the environment encourages caramelization without burning.
How to Serve Air Fryer Bacon
Air fryer bacon is versatile. Use it in:
- Breakfast platters
- BLT sandwiches
- Salads
- Pasta dishes
- Burgers
- Baked potatoes
- Crumbled over soups
- Charcuterie boards
Because the strips come out evenly cooked and crisp, they’re ideal for recipes that need uniform texture.
How to Store and Reheat Leftover Bacon
Cooked bacon stores and reheats beautifully.
Storing
Refrigerator: up to 5 days
Freezer: up to 1 month
Reheating
- Air fryer: 2–3 minutes at 350°F
- Microwave: 10–20 seconds
- Skillet: quick re-crisp on medium heat
Air fryer reheating gives the best texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can you cook bacon in the air fryer without it smoking?
Yes. Use bread or water at the bottom of the tray, avoid temperatures above 350°F, and clean grease between batches.
2. Should I preheat the air fryer?
It’s optional. Bacon cooks well either way, but preheating by 2 minutes can help if your air fryer runs cooler.
3. Can I stack bacon to cook more at once?
No. Stacking causes uneven cooking and soggy texture. Always use a single layer.
4. Is air fryer bacon healthier?
Slightly. Some of the grease drains away, reducing fat content compared to pan-frying.
5. Can I cook turkey bacon in the air fryer?
Yes. Cook turkey bacon at 350°F for 6–8 minutes and flip halfway.
Final Thoughts: Why You’ll Love Cooking Bacon in the Air Fryer
Learning how to cook bacon in an air fryer transforms breakfast (and your kitchen cleanup). With quicker cooking times, even crisping, and virtually no mess, this method is ideal for busy mornings, meal prep, and anyone who loves consistently perfect bacon. Once you try it, it’s hard to go back to the skillet or oven. It also gives you more control over texture, so every strip turns out exactly the way you like it. Plus, the results are so reliable that it quickly becomes your go-to method for effortless, delicious bacon.
