Crispy Bacon in Air Fryer (Failproof Method)

Have you ever cooked bacon in air fryer? If not, you’re going to love how quick and easy this method is for getting perfectly crispy bacon with hardly any mess. This post shows how to cook bacon in air fryer at 350°F (180°C) in just 8-10 minutes, ideal for an easy breakfast alongside these Cottage Cheese Egg Bites.

Why you’ll love this recipe

This bacon in air fryer routine is simple and very practical. I use it all the time when I’m in a rush.

• Less mess: Since the bacon is tucked away in the basket, there is no hot oil spitting at you. Once you know how long to air fry bacon, you can just let it do its thing
• Quick cleanup: Cleaning the air fryer is usually just a quick soak and wipe, which is much faster than scrubbing a greasy pan. Try making these Frozen Hash Browns in Air Fryer too for the easiest breakfast. 
• Crispy edges: You get a very consistent texture. How long to cook bacon in air fryer depends on your  preference, but the air makes the fat go lovely and brittle.
• Reliable: It is a very low-effort way to cook. Just like this One-Pan Mince Pasta, it’s a solid choice when you want a decent meal without much washing up.

Love bacon? Try my Easy Bacon and Lentil Soup, Brussel Sprouts with Bacon (Pan-Fried & Easy!) and Creamy Bacon Pasta.

Ingredients

You only need two things to make bacon in air fryer and they are both very basic.

• Bacon: If you want to learn how to air fry bacon, start with good quality meat. I like a thick cut because it stays juicy while the edges crisp up. If you were wondering can you air fry bacon, the answer is ABSOLUTELY. Most cuts work well but the thickness will change your timings.
• Rapeseed oil: A tiny bit of oil helps the bacon cook evenly. It’s a neutral oil that doesn’t mess with the flavour. I use it for my Frozen Jacket Potato in Air Fryer too.

Variations / Adaptations

My bacon in air fryer method is easy to adapt depending on the texture, flavour, or how you plan to use the bacon once it’s cooked.

• Extra crispy: Leave the bacon in for an extra minute and flip it halfway. This is great for air fryer bacon that you want to crumble over a soup like this Creamy Leek and Potato Soup.
• Juicy texture: Use a bit of foil in the basket and keep the time on the lower side. This works best when you make bacon in air fryer for a soft sandwich or a roll.
• Seasoned: You can add some cracked pepper or a tiny bit of smoked paprika. These are easy to add while you cook bacon in air fryer. I love adding peppery bacon to my 10-minute Jennifer Aniston Salad.

How to make the Crispiest Bacon in Air Fryer

Turn the air fryer on to 350℉ (180℃)

1. Remove the bacon slices from the plastic packaging (Image 1).
2. Prepare the air fryer tray, by adding a layer of foil before placing the bacon in with a space between each slice (Image 2).

3. Brush a very small amount of rapeseed oil onto each rasher (Image 3).

4. Allow them to cook for 4-5 minutes (Image 4).

5. Flip each slice of bacon using some tongs (Image 5).

6. Cook for the remaining time, 4-6 minutes at 370°F/190°C, or until desired doneness is achieved (Image 6).

Need inspiration for more recipes, using bacon? Try my Simple Fluffy American Pancakes served with bacon, Creamy Chicken and Bacon Pasta and Slow Cooker White Bean Stew with Crispy Bacon

Air Fryer Bacon: Temperature and Timing Guide

The best temperature for bacon in air fryer is 180°C. This gives the fat enough time to render properly. That is the key to how long to air fry bacon without burning the ends.

If you go higher, you might get a bit of smoke. This is especially true with streaky bacon because it is fattier. Every machine is different, but once you get the hang of it, how to air fry bacon is very simple.

Understanding different types of bacon

• Back bacon: This is the bacon I use in this recipe. Thick cut back bacon comes from the pig’s loin, which makes it meatier than other cuts while still having a little fat around the edges for flavour. It cooks evenly in the air fryer and is very forgiving.
• Bacon medallions: Bacon medallions also come from the pig’s loin, but they’re smaller than back bacon slices. Because of their size, they cook a little faster while keeping a similar texture and flavour.
• Streaky bacon (US-style bacon): In the US, this is what most people simply call bacon. In the UK, it’s known as streaky bacon because of the visible streaks of fat and meat. It’s made from pork belly, which means it cooks quickly and can produce more smoke if the temperature is too high.

How to air fry bacon by type

Use this as a guide and always cook to your preference:

• Thick cut back bacon: 8-10 minutes for a standard cook, or 12 minutes for extra crisp.
• Bacon medallions: 8-10 minutes. They are smaller so they brown more quickly than full back bacon slices.
• Streaky rashers: 5-8 minutes if thin, slightly longer if thick cut. Watch closely, as the higher fat content can cause faster browning and more smoke.

For best results, flip the bacon halfway through and drain excess fat between batches. Second batches often cook slightly faster once the air fryer is already hot.

Serving Suggestions

This bacon in air fryer recipe works with so many things. I love it on a sandwich, soups, salads, with eggs, or even crumbled over a risotto.

Try it with:

• Viral Crispy Feta Eggs
• Easy Creme Fraiche Pasta
• The CRISPIEST Roast Potatoes
• 30-Minute Cream of Mushroom Chicken
• One Pot Chicken & Rice
• Roasted Tenderstem Broccoli
• The Best Turkey Sandwich in 10 Minutes
• Add as topping to a risotto, see my Creamy Green Risotto with Crispy Bacon and Mushrooms below.

Leftover Storage and Reheat Instructions

If you have any left over, bacon in air fryer keeps quite well.

Fridge: Keep it in a container for up to 5 days.

Freezer: You can freeze cooked bacon for 3 months.

Reheat: Put it back in the air fryer at 180°C for 3 minutes. It keeps the air fryer bacon time short and saves the texture. If you have other meat to use up, my Creamy Leftover Ham Pasta is another good one.

Here are some articles about reheating some of your favourite recipes: The Best Way to Reheat Baked Ziti, The Best Way To Reheat Salmon and The Best Way to Reheat Chicken Wings in the Airfryer.

FAQs

Here is some advice on cooking from frozen using your Airfryer: How to cook frozen chicken breast in the air fryer, Frozen Fish Fingers in Air Fryer or Cooking Frozen Sausages in an Air Fryer