Air Fryer Bacon (2024)

Tantalizingly crispy Air Fryer Bacon is hands-down the best and easiest bacon you can make! Evenly cooked and perfectly crisp, it takes less time and makes less mess than the oven or stove top. You’ll want to add it to everything!

Why You’ll Love This Crispy Air Fryer Bacon Recipe

• Hands-Free Cooking. Like Baked Bacon in the Oven (and unlike cooking bacon in a skillet on the stovetop), air fryer bacon cooks completely hands-free. You don’t even need to flip it!
• Mouthwateringly Crispy. It’s why I love air frying everything from Air Fryer French Fries, to Air Fryer Chicken Wings, to Air Fryer Potato Chips. Crispy food is king, and the air fryer is the master!
• Faster Than the Oven. Because the air fryer is compact and uses powerful convection cooking, it cooks foods more quickly than they bake in the oven.
• No Grease Splatters. One of the best parts of making bacon in the air fryer is the quick clean up. No greasy stove.

How to Cook Bacon in the Air Fryer

The Ingredients

• Bacon. Since it is the only true ingredient here, using good-quality bacon is very important. It will have the best taste and texture, resulting in the best possible bacon experience (yes, please!). You can use thick-cut or thin-cut bacon for this recipe.
• Black Pepper. For a twist, try adding a sprinkle of black pepper to your bacon.

The Directions

1. Cut the Bacon Slices. Lay them in the air fryer basket in a single layer (if you do multiple layers, it won’t be as crisp).

2. Air Fry. Air fry bacon at 350 degrees F for 5 to 9 minutes (for thin-cut bacon) or 10 to 12 minutes (for thick cut).

3. Remove and Repeat. Repeat steps with remaining batches. DIG IN!

What to Serve With Air Fryer Bacon

• Salads. Enjoy your bacon on this Broccoli Cauliflower Salad or BLT Chopped Salad.
• Sandwiches. Use leftover bacon to make this scrumptious Chicken Caesar Wrap or top a Turkey Burger.
• Pasta. Take your pasta dishes (like this Cauliflower Pasta) up a notch with some crispiness from crumbled bacon.
• Pizza. You won’t regret topping your pizza with crispy bacon pieces (especially if it’s this delicious Brussels Sprouts Bacon Pizza).
• Eggs. Air fryer bacon and eggs are a match made in heaven! Add some to your Egg Muffins for an easy grab-and-go breakfast or serve them alongside a French Omelette.
• Baked Potatoes. You can’t go wrong topping your Air Fryer Baked Potato, Crock Pot Baked Potatoes, or a classic Baked Potato with bacon.
• Soups. Take a note from Crockpot Potato Soup, and top a bowl of your favorite soup with crumbled bacon.
• Breakfast Faves. Bacon pairs perfectly with Banana Oatmeal Pancakes or an Oven Pancake.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

• Make Sure the Bacon Fits in Your Air Fryer. Cut the bacon slices in half crosswise before adding them to the air fryer. This helps them cook more evenly and fit in the air fryer basket more comfortably.
• Avoid Smoking. The smoke point of bacon is 400°F (and grease leftover in your air fryer can start to smoke at 360°F, so this recipe air fries the bacon at 350°F to avoid the issue. If you do have problems with smoke when you air fry bacon, I read you can place a piece of bread in the air fryer basket to absorb extra bacon drippings. Also, make sure your air fryer is clean.
• Don’t Worry About Foil. While you can line the basket with it if you like, I found the air fryer was very easy to clean even without it. If you use foil, ensure it’s not touching any part of the heating element or fan.
• Know That Air Fryers Vary. Each air fryer model is a little different; this recipe has been tested in a Ninja air fryer and Philips air fryer. Check early to make sure your bacon doesn’t burn.