There’s something magical about the smell of bacon sizzling in the morning. For years, I’ve been cooking bacon the traditional way – in a skillet on the stovetop, dodging splatters of hot grease and trying to achieve that perfect balance of crispy yet tender. That all changed when I discovered the game-changing method of cooking bacon in my air fryer. If you haven’t tried it yet, you’re seriously missing out on one of the easiest and cleanest ways to achieve perfectly crispy bacon every single time.
Why Cook Bacon in an Air Fryer?
When I first heard about cooking bacon in an air fryer, I was skeptical. How could it possibly be better than my tried-and-true stovetop method? But after that first batch came out perfectly cooked – crisp, flat, and evenly browned – I was converted. Here’s why you might want to make the switch too:
- Less mess – no more grease splatters all over your stovetop and counters
- More consistent cooking – even browning from edge to edge
- Hands-free cooking – set it and forget it while you prepare the rest of your meal
- Potentially healthier – excess fat drips away during cooking
- Quicker cleanup – most air fryer baskets are dishwasher safe
According to a study referenced by Healthline, air frying can reduce the fat content of foods by up to 75% compared to traditional frying methods. While bacon isn’t exactly health food, reducing unnecessary fat consumption is always a plus in my book.
Equipment You’ll Need
Before we dive into the cooking process, let’s make sure you have everything you need:
- An air fryer (any model will work, but larger ones allow you to cook more bacon at once)
- Tongs for flipping and removing the bacon
- Paper towels for draining (optional)
- Your favorite bacon (thick-cut, regular, or thin slices all work)
I personally use a 5.8-quart Cosori air fryer that I picked up last year, and it’s been a workhorse in my kitchen. The square basket design fits bacon strips particularly well, but circular models work fine too – you’ll just need to trim or fold the bacon to fit.
Step-by-Step Guide to Perfect Air Fryer Bacon
1. Prepare Your Air Fryer
Some recipes will tell you to preheat your air fryer, but I’ve found that starting with a cold air fryer actually works better for bacon. This allows the fat to render more slowly, resulting in less smoking and more evenly cooked bacon. If your air fryer has a removable basket, you might want to line the lower drawer with aluminum foil to catch dripping fat – this makes cleanup much easier. Just make sure not to line the basket itself as this would block air circulation.
2. Arrange the Bacon
Lay your bacon strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket. It’s okay if they touch slightly, as they’ll shrink while cooking, but try not to overlap them too much. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might need to cook in batches. I can usually fit 4-6 slices in my air fryer at once, which is perfect for breakfast for two.
I’ve noticed that placing the bacon in a single layer is crucial – the one time I tried to stack it, I ended up with some pieces undercooked and others burnt. Lesson learned!
3. Set the Temperature and Time
For regular-cut bacon, I recommend starting with 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes. If you’re using thick-cut bacon, you’ll need to add a few extra minutes. The exact cooking time will depend on:
- The thickness of your bacon
- How crispy you like your bacon
- Your specific air fryer model (they all cook slightly differently)
Remember that bacon will continue to crisp up slightly after removing it from the air fryer, so it’s better to check it early than end up with bacon that’s too crispy.
4. Flip Halfway Through (Optional)
This step is somewhat controversial in the air fryer bacon community. Some swear by flipping the bacon halfway through cooking for the most even results, while others (like me) find it unnecessary. On my third attempt at air fryer bacon, I did a side-by-side test – flipping half the batch and leaving the other half untouched. The difference was minimal, so now I usually skip this step.
If you do decide to flip, simply open the air fryer at around the 4-5 minute mark and use tongs to quickly turn each piece over.
5. Check for Doneness
Bacon can go from perfectly crispy to burnt very quickly, so I always start checking a minute or two before I expect it to be done. The exact visual cues depend on the type of bacon you’re using. For regular bacon, look for a deep reddish-brown color with no soft, white fatty areas remaining.
6. Drain and Serve
Once done, use tongs to transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess grease. Though honestly, one of the benefits of air fryer bacon is that it’s often less greasy than pan-fried, so you might find this step unnecessary.
Bacon Thickness Cooking Guide
Different thicknesses of bacon require different cooking times. Here’s a handy reference table I’ve developed after much experimentation:
| Bacon Type | Temperature | Cooking Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thin-sliced | 350°F (175°C) | 6-8 minutes | Check early to prevent burning |
| Regular-cut | 350°F (175°C) | 8-10 minutes | Most versatile option |
| Thick-cut | 350°F (175°C) | 10-12 minutes | May need flipping for best results |
| Extra-thick/butcher’s cut | 325°F (165°C) | 12-15 minutes | Lower temp prevents burning while center cooks |
Pros and Cons of Air Fryer Bacon
After cooking bacon in my air fryer at least twice a week for the past several months, I’ve compiled a balanced assessment of this method:
Pros:
- Cleanup is significantly easier – no grease splatters all over the stovetop
- More consistent results – each piece cooks evenly
- Hands-free cooking – you can prepare other meal components while the bacon cooks
- No flipping required (though you can if you want)
- The bacon comes out flat, which is great for sandwiches
- Reduced fat content compared to pan-fried bacon
Cons:
- Limited capacity – you can only cook a few slices at once
- Some air fryers may smoke when cooking bacon at high temperatures
- You don’t collect bacon grease for other cooking uses (unless you use foil to catch it)
- The texture is slightly different from pan-fried bacon (though I personally prefer it)
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Smoking Air Fryer
The first time I tried cooking bacon in my air fryer, I was alarmed by the amount of smoke it produced. After some research and experimentation, I discovered a few fixes:
- Add 1-2 tablespoons of water to the bottom of the air fryer drawer to prevent the grease from getting too hot
- Lower the cooking temperature to 325°F instead of 350°F
- Make sure your air fryer is clean from previous cooking sessions
- Place a slice of bread underneath the basket to absorb grease and prevent smoking
According to Cook’s Illustrated, adding water to the drawer is one of the most effective methods for preventing smoke when cooking fatty foods in an air fryer.
Bacon Not Crispy Enough
If your bacon isn’t getting crispy enough, try these solutions:
- Cook for 1-2 minutes longer
- Make sure you’re not overcrowding the basket
- Try a slightly higher temperature (370°F)
- Pat the bacon dry with paper towels before cooking
Bacon Too Crispy/Burnt
On the flip side, if your bacon is turning out too crispy or burnt:
- Reduce cooking time by 1-2 minutes
- Lower the temperature to 325°F
- Check earlier in the cooking process
- Try a thicker cut of bacon
Creative Bacon Variations to Try
Once you’ve mastered basic air fryer bacon, why not experiment with some flavor variations? Here are some of my favorites:
Sweet and Spicy Bacon
Before air frying, brush your bacon with a mixture of brown sugar and cayenne pepper. The sugar caramelizes beautifully while the cayenne adds a subtle heat. I served this at a brunch recently and my friends couldn’t stop raving about it.
Black Pepper Bacon
Simply coat one side of each bacon strip with freshly ground black pepper before cooking. The air fryer helps the pepper adhere to the bacon without burning it.
Maple Bacon
Brush each strip lightly with real maple syrup before air frying. Be warned: this can increase the likelihood of smoking, so you might want to add water to the drawer and reduce your temperature slightly.
Cleaning Your Air Fryer After Cooking Bacon
Cleaning up after cooking bacon in an air fryer is much simpler than scrubbing a grease-splattered stovetop, but there are still some best practices to follow:
- Allow the air fryer to cool completely before cleaning
- Remove the basket and drawer and wash with warm, soapy water (or place in the dishwasher if manufacturer-approved)
- Wipe down the interior with a damp cloth
- For stubborn grease, a paste of baking soda and water works wonders
- Clean after each use to prevent buildup that could cause smoking in future uses
As recommended by Good Housekeeping, regular cleaning is essential for maintaining your air fryer’s performance and longevity.
Final Thoughts: Is Air Fryer Bacon Worth It?
After months of cooking bacon in my air fryer, I can confidently say it’s my preferred method. The combination of consistent results, minimal cleanup, and hands-off cooking makes it a winner for everyday breakfast preparation. While it might not be ideal for cooking large batches for a crowd, for a regular family breakfast, it’s practically perfect.
If you’re an air fryer owner who hasn’t tried bacon yet, give it a shot this weekend – you might just find yourself converted to this cleaner, easier method. And if you don’t own an air fryer yet, the ability to make perfect bacon might just be the excuse you need to add this versatile appliance to your kitchen arsenal.
Remember, the beauty of cooking is in experimentation, so don’t be afraid to adjust times and temperatures to find your perfect bacon balance. Happy air frying!