I have to admit that I was a bit skeptical about making bacon in my air fryer. I love my air fryer for so many reasons but I just wasn’t super enthused about using it for bacon. Maybe it’s because I always bake bacon and that’s so easy. How long it takes: 14 minutes Equipment you’ll need: air fryer, tongs Servings: depends on the size of your air fryer and how much bacon you want But I’m willing to try anything for my readers, so yes, we air fried bacon. We air fried regular bacon, center cut bacon, thick cut bacon, and even turkey bacon. We had a bacon extravaganza! I have to say my house smelled like everyone’s favorite breakfast joint. And guess what? Air frying bacon works great! It turns out perfectly crisp, it’s easy, and quick, too. Clean up is a breeze because the grease splatter is minimized. No messy stove, no messy you! So it turns out that air frying bacon is a win. I don’t know why I ever doubted it. My air fryer hasn’t let me down once!
About This Recipe
There is one thing we need to talk about before we go any further. When you air fry bacon, you’re limited by how much space you have in your air fryer. If you have a smaller sized air fryer, you’ll have to do small batches of bacon. My air fryer accommodates 4 slices of bacon. That’s perfect if you are cooking for one or two. You’ll love how fast it is! You don’t have to preheat the air fryer; the bacon starts cooking immediately and is ready to eat in just minutes. It just makes bacon more available, if you know what I mean. Just the thought of getting out a skillet or sheet pan can deter me from even thinking about bacon. With an air fryer, you can make a few strips of crispy bacon to go with your breakfast eggs or make a quick BLT for lunch. It’s a snap to make a quick bacon garnish for soup (like Zuppa Toscana soup) or salads (try it crumbled on this grilled vegetable salad) or to add to recipes (such as stuffed butternut squash). Crispy bacon makes a tasty little snack too. Have you ever tried it on vanilla ice cream? Yum, that sweet and salty combination! We’ve been seeing lots of larger sized air fryers and some of the new ranges and toaster ovens are equipped with air fryers now. You would be able to do larger batches in that case. There’s one more thing I’d like to point out. Air frying bacon is the most healthy way to cook bacon. Because it’s on a grate, the fat that is rendered from the bacon drips down away from the bacon, leaving the leaner yummy parts for your consumption. You’ll notice that there’s very little grease left on the bacon compared to frying it in a skillet. Bacon will never be a healthy food, but still, why not make it the most healthy way you can?
How to make Air Fryer Bacon
It’s very easy. Simply arrange the bacon strips in a single layer on the grate or rack of your air fryer. They shouldn’t overlap much. If they overlap a little bit, it’s okay because the strips shrink pretty drastically as they cook. You can rearrange them if necessary after they cook and start shrinking. This is one kitchen appliance that I wouldn’t want to do without. We really love cooking in our air fryer. It’s fast, easy to clean, and everything turns out great. Put the basket in the air fryer and set it to air fry at 350ºF. After five minutes have elapsed, take the basket out and flip the strips over with tongs. This step is optional but the bacon does get more evenly crisp. It’s also a good chance to check the bacon strips to make sure they haven’t moved or gotten twisted. Remember, there’s a lot of air flow in the air fryer and sometimes that strong current of air can fold or twist the bacon strips. Continue air frying for another five to six minutes, or until the bacon is just the way you like it. It’s important to keep an eye on it for those last couple minutes. Some folks like super crispy bacon and others like it softer so cooking time can really vary. It depends a bit on individual air fryers, too, and the type of bacon you’re frying. Ultimately, it will be you who decides how long to cook it. Remove the bacon from the air fryer and drain on paper towels, if you wish. There won’t be a lot of surface grease remaining on the bacon. If you’re doing multiple batches of bacon, pour or wipe out the excess grease between batches to prevent smoke.
Make It Your Own
Don’t have an air fryer? Try baked bacon. It’s easy and turns out great. Like candied bacon? If you haven’t tried pig candy yet, don’t delay!
Make-Ahead Ideas
Cooked bacon is nice to have on hand to add to salads or to garnish soups (we love it on butternut squash soup – try our Panera copycat squash soup!). Bacon is great on sandwiches, too. Add a couple strips to your burgers or chicken sandwich.
Storage & Reheating Tips
Leftover bacon can be stored in the refrigerator for four to five days. It can be frozen for up to a month in a freezer safe container.
