A Note on This Recipe
An air fryer is basically a small convection oven with a powerful fan, which makes it a great fit for bacon.
The fast-moving hot air quickly dries the surface of each slice, so it browns and crisps up before the meat has time to overcook. It’s faster than the oven, so you get crispy, golden bacon without a long bake. It’s also hands-off: no flipping, and the fat drips down and away from the bacon as it cooks. Fast, great texture, and easier cleanup are reason enough to give it a try.
How to Make It
Arrange the Bacon
Lay 5 to 6 regular-cut bacon slices on the rack in a single flat layer, without overlapping.
Cook the Bacon
Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 6 to 8 minutes, depending on your air fryer. There’s no need to flip. For a bigger batch or thick-cut bacon, add a few more minutes.
For extra crispy bacon, try 375°F (190°C) and start checking at 5 minutes. In my testing, extra time at 350°F made the bacon tougher rather than crispier, and many air fryer recipes suggest a higher temperature for extra crispy bacon.
Deal with the Fat
When the bacon is done, lift it off the rack. Since the fat drips away instead of pooling around the slices, they don’t need to be blotted with paper towels like pan-fried bacon does.
To get rid of the fat left in the bottom, let it cool and solidify, then scrape it out with a spatula.
What to Make With Air Fryer Bacon
Ingredients
- 5-6 slices regular-cut bacon
Instructions
- Lay 5 to 6 regular-cut bacon slices on the rack in a single flat layer, without overlapping.
- Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 6 to 8 minutes. No need to flip.
- Lift the bacon off the rack. No need to blot with paper towels.
Watch the Recipe
Notes
- The 6 to 8 minute range depends on your air fryer, so start checking at 6 minutes.
- For extra crispy bacon, raise the temperature to 375°F (190°C) and start checking at 5 minutes.
- For thick-cut bacon or a bigger batch, add a few more minutes.
- To clean up, let the fat in the bottom cool and solidify, then scrape it out with a spatula.
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