All You Need is Brunch

  • HOME
  • RECIPES
  • CONTACT
  • ABOUT
  • NEWSLETTER
menu icon
go to homepage
  • HOME
  • RECIPES
  • CONTACT
  • ABOUT
  • NEWSLETTER
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • HOME
    • RECIPES
    • CONTACT
    • ABOUT
    • NEWSLETTER
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Sides

    How to Cook Bacon in the Air Fryer

    Published: May 22, 2021 · Modified: May 4, 2023 by Charlotte Singh-Dhanraj · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This recipe for bacon in the air fryer will quickly become your favorite! Perfectly crisp and delicious without all the mess!

    bacon on a plate on the table with boiled eggs and avocado

    Table of Contents

    Jump to:
    • Table of Contents
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe!
    • Ingredient Notes
    • Step by Step: Bacon in the Air Fryer
    • Frequently Asked Questions and Recipe Tips
    • You May Also Like These Yummy Brunch Recipes:
    • Recipe

    Why You'll Love This Recipe!

    Many people ask... can you cook bacon in an air fryer?  I say yes and it is a dream for a couple of reasons! I don’t know about you, but at my house, I have two camps, team crispy and team chewy! Air-fried bacon can be custom-made in batches to suit everyone’s taste. When cooking bacon this way, you can almost set it and forget it while you tend to your other delicious brunch recipes!  I find when using the air fryer clean-up is a breeze with no splattering or burns, compared to traditional cooking methods!

    close up of bacon on a plate

    Ingredient Notes

    This recipe is super simple because all you need is bacon!

    Bacon on a plate on counter beside the air fryer.
    • I like to use bacon that is organic and hormone and antibiotic free.
    • You can also opt for low sodium bacon if you like, especially if you are serving your bacon with other salty items at brunch.

    Step by Step: Bacon in the Air Fryer

    Steps showing how to cook bacon in the air fryer.
    1. Preheat Air Fryer and place bacon strips in a single layer on the tray.
    2. Air fry bacon for 4 minutes flip and cook for an additional 4 minutes. Transfer cooked bacon strips after cooking to a paper towel-lined plate.
    hand holding a slice of bacon cooked in the air fryer

    Frequently Asked Questions and Recipe Tips

    Is bacon in the air fryer good?

    My answer is YES! It's delicious and evenly cooked and can be adjusted to your taste.

    What temperature for bacon in the air fryer?

    The sweet spot for my taste and air fryer is 320 degrees but you can experiment see what works best for you.

    Is bacon in the air fryer healthier?

    Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but air-fried bacon is not healthier per se, it’s still bacon! Choosing better quality bacon as I suggested in the ingredients section and cooking it until crisp and not burned makes it a healthier option. I do find that I have less excess grease to absorb with paper towels after cooking so that is definitely a plus.

    Can you reheat bacon in the air fryer?

    Leftover bacon can be reheated in the air fryer if you are ever lucky enough to have any! I personally am not sure it’s worth the time and extra clean up but you can preheat to 320 degrees and then once preheated place the bacon on the tray for 3-4 minutes. Check after 3 minutes for desired crispness.

    Bacon cooked in the air fryer on a plate, with eggs and avocados on side plates

    Expert Tips for this Recipe

    • Cooking time is depends on how you like your bacon. I found that 8 minutes at 320 degrees is my perfect recipe for crisp bacon with a slightly chewy texture. For crispier bacon try cooking for 1-minute longer (or extra minutes as needed).
    • Cooking time will also depend on whether you are using thicker bacon or thinner bacon.
    • Stay close to the fryer and remove strips of bacon immediately after cooking.

    Air Frying Safety

    I personally have never had any issues with my air fryer except for one time when I preheated it with parchment paper which was a big rookie mistake. Having said that I never wander far when my air fryer is cooking.

    There is a lot of information online about air-fried bacon and issues with burning and dangerous oil spills. In a lot of these scenarios, the bacon was being cooked at way higher temperatures than I am suggesting and it is not being flipped in the process. For my testing and recipe development, I use the Cosori 5.8 qt for this recipe with no issues. Immediately after the cooking time has been reached, I remove the bacon. I have never had any issues with air fryer bacon smoke as some others have reported but also be sure to experiment with your model for safety. I also don’t attempt cleaning the unit until the bacon grease has completely cooled down.

    You May Also Like These Yummy Brunch Recipes:

    Air Fryer Sausage Links

    Air Fryer Hash Browns

    Fluffiest Old Fashioned Buttermilk Pancakes

    Buttermilk Biscuits

    Recipe

    How to Cook Bacon in the Air Fryer

    Charlotte Singh-Dhanraj
    This recipe for bacon in the air fryer will quickly become your favorite! Perfectly crisp and delicious without all the mess!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 8 minutes mins
    Total Time 13 minutes mins
    Course Breakfast
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 183 kcal

    Equipment

    • Air Fryer

    Ingredients
      

    • 8 slices Bacon Organic, Hormone and Antibiotic-free

    Instructions
     

    • Pre-heat Air Fryer to 320 degrees.
    • Place Bacon strips on pre-heated air fryer tray. Cook for 4 minutes at 320 degrees.
    • After 4 minutes flip bacon strips and cook for 4 minures more.
    • Once cooked, removed the bacon from the air fryer and transfer to a paper towel lined plate. Serve immediately and enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 183kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 6gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 29mgSodium: 291mgPotassium: 87mgVitamin A: 16IUCalcium: 2mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword bacon in the air fryer
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Sides

    • Watermelon salad with cucumber roses on an oval platter.
      Watermelon Salad Recipe
    • Bacon in a toaster oven on a plate with eggs and toast.
      Bacon (in a Toaster Oven)
    • Collage of breakfast side dishes.
      The Best Breakfast Sides
    • Mashed potato french fries in a bowl.
      Mashed Potato French Fries

    About Charlotte Singh-Dhanraj

    Welcome to All You Need is Brunch! I'm Charlotte, professional food photographer and recipe developer here behind these delicious and easy Brunch Recipes with over 20 years of cooking and baking experience!

    Comments

    1. Catherine says

      July 14, 2022 at 11:42 pm

      5 stars
      Crispy and fully cooked bacon every single time! Not overcooked, burnt, perfectly cooked!!

      Reply
      • Charlotte Singh-Dhanraj says

        August 19, 2022 at 4:25 am

        Thanks so much for your review Catherine! We love it too!

        Reply
        • Becky says

          October 11, 2024 at 1:45 pm

          Could you put a layer of aluminum foil btwn the tray & the drip pan to collect the drippings & make for easier clean up?

          Reply
          • Charlotte Singh-Dhanraj says

            December 01, 2024 at 10:01 pm

            Hi Becky! I would consult your manufacturer's product manual. When I put parchment paper or foil in my air fryer in the past it would fly around and make me nervous. I found it really easy to clean my air fryer without any liner. I hope that helps.

            Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Hi, I'm Charlotte! I'm a mom of 4 beautiful boys with BIG appetites! My family and I are obsessed with Brunch so I blog about Brunch Recipes and all the Brunch Ideas you need, for your next Brunch Party including Breakfast, Lunch, Baking, and Cocktails! Learn More

    Popular

    • Cucumber sandwiches with cream cheese cut in triangles on a plate.
      Cucumber Sandwiches with Cream Cheese
    • Grinder pasta salad on scalloped plate.
      Grinder Pasta Salad
    • S'mores bars stacked with melty chocolate and gooey marshmallows.
      S'mores Bars
    • Watermelon slushie garnished with lime and watermelon slices in a sundae glass.
      Watermelon Slushie
    • Recipes for Father's Day Brunch!
      Father's Day Brunch
    • Watermelon salad with cucumber roses on an oval platter.
      Watermelon Salad Recipe
    • Vanilla muffins dripping with vanilla bean glaze.
      Easy Vanilla Muffins
    • Quiche Lorraine with Spinach and Bacon

    Footer

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! Don't Miss a Recipe!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • About
    ↑ back to top

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 All You Need Is Brunch