Air fried bacon is the quickest and easiest way to make crisp strips without heating up the whole oven, or kitchen. This air fryer method shines when you only need a few pieces, or for a salads. It cooks evenly, drains clean, and keeps cleanup simple.
For large, family size servings of bacon, our sheet pan bacon method is even more ideal.
Why You'll Love This Air Fried Bacon Recipe
Each slice is cooked to perfection, with a crispy exterior and tender, juicy interior. Enjoy it on its own, crumble it over salads, or use it to add a smoky flavor to your favorite dishes.
You can use this quick cooking method to prepare your bacon for our Air Fryer Turkey Burgers or Cajun Shrimp and Grits also!
- Hands-off cooking: Once the bacon is in the air fryer, there's no flipping, splatter guarding, or babysitting required.
- Consistent results every time: The controlled air circulation helps prevent burnt edges and chewy centers, even with different bacon thicknesses.
- Easy batch control: You can cook exactly what you need and stop, making it ideal for recipes that call for just a slice or two without leftovers.
- Frees up your oven and prep space: When a recipe only needs a few slices of bacon, using the air fryer keeps your oven available and your counters clear for the rest of the meal prep.
Ingredients Overview
You can use regular cured bacon, uncured bacon, and even Turkey bacon! If the air fryer basket is small, you may need to cut the bacon strips in half so they can comfortably fit.
Pro Tip
If you need more than a few pieces of bacon, try our bulk Oven Baked Sheet Pan Bacon method. It crisps up a full pound of bacon perfectly with an easy clean up! Just keep in a plastic tub in the freezer for when you need a few strips of bacon!
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How To Air Fry Bacon
Make sure to only make a single layer on the bottom of the air fryer basket when you cook bacon in the air fryer.
Step 1: Make sure to only make a single layer on the bottom of the air fryer basket when you cook bacon in the air fryer.
Step 2: Set the temperature to 350° F for regular Pork or thick cut Pork bacon. Cook 7 minutes for regular and 9 minutes for thick cut bacon.
Pro Tip
For Turkey bacon, Cook at 300° F as it is much leaner. Cook 7 minutes for regular thickness Turkey bacon and 9 minutes for thick cut Turkey bacon.
Step 3: Set the hot air fryer bacon on a few paper towels to drain off any excess fat.
Ways To Use Air Fried Bacon
If you're like me, at least one piece of fresh hot bacon is going in my mouth! But, this air fryer method is great when you just need a small amount called for in a recipe, like in our Bread Machine Cheese and Bacon Bread.
It tastes so much better than using store bought bacon bits, even if they are real bacon!
Substitutions and Variations
Some useful tips and substitutions when making this recipe:
- Thick-cut or thin-cut bacon: Both work well in the air fryer, just adjust the cook time slightly depending on the thickness.
- Turkey bacon: A leaner option that still crisps nicely, though it may cook a bit faster than pork bacon.
- Peppered or smoked bacon: Swap in flavored bacon varieties to add extra depth to salads, wraps, or dips.
- Cut before cooking: Slice the bacon into smaller pieces first when you want quick bacon bits for toppings or mixed-in recipes.
- Lower-sodium bacon: A good choice if you're watching salt, with the same simple air fryer method.
Tips for Success
Helpful tips to help you when making this recipe:
- Single layer only: Arrange the bacon so the slices don't overlap, which helps it cook evenly and crisp up properly.
- Check early: Bacon can go from just right to too dark quickly, so peek a minute or two before the suggested time.
- Adjust for thickness: Thicker slices need a little extra time, while thin-cut bacon cooks faster.
- Drain after cooking: Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate so excess grease doesn't soften the crisp texture.
- Clean while warm: Let the air fryer cool slightly, then wipe out the basket to make cleanup easier before grease sets.
Storage Options
Here is how I store leftovers when making this recipe:
- Room temperature: Let cooked bacon cool completely, then keep it loosely covered for a few hours if using the same day.
- Refrigerator: Store cooled bacon in an airtight container for up to 4 to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked bacon between layers of parchment paper in a freezer-safe bag for up to 1 month.
- Reheating: Warm refrigerated or frozen bacon in the air fryer or a skillet for a few minutes to bring back some crispness.
Related Recipes
- Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
- Broccoli Bacon Quiche
- Air Fryer Asparagus
- Green Chile Breakfast Casserole
- Bacon Ranch Pinwheels
Frequently Asked Questions
Aim for around 350°F to 380°F so the bacon renders fat and crisps evenly without burning; you might adjust slightly depending on thickness and your air fryer model
Regular bacon usually takes about 7-10 minutes, while thick-cut slices may need 10-12 minutes-check early and adjust for your preferred crispiness.
No, for best results you should place bacon in a single layer so hot air can circulate and crisp each piece evenly.
It's better to avoid blocking airflow; if you use liners, make sure they're air fryer-safe and don't cover the whole bottom so grease can still drain.
If it's not crisping, either add a minute or two to the cook time or make sure the slices aren't crowded so they can dry and cook evenly.
Easy Breakfast Recipes
Get The Recipe!
Air Fried Bacon
Equipment
- Nuwave 6 quart Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 6 strips thick cut bacon pork or turkey bacon
- ½ teaspoon Pepper to taste, optional
Instructions
- Place 6 slices of bacon in the air fryer basket. If your basket is small, cut the slices in half so they fit. Make sure to space the bacon so it is a single layer. Sprinkle with the black pepper (optional).6 strips thick cut bacon , ½ teaspoon Pepper
- Turn the temperature to 350° F and cook for 7 minutes for regular cut bacon. For thick cut bacon cook for 9 minutes.
- After the bacon is done cooking, carefully transfer to paper towels to absorb any excess oils.
For Turkey Bacon
- Air fry turkey bacon at 300° F, as it's leaner and dries out quickly. Cook for the same 7 minutes for regular thickness, 9 minutes for thick cut. Transfer to a plate when cooking is complete.
Notes
- Single layer only: Arrange the bacon so the slices don't overlap, which helps it cook evenly and crisp up properly.
- Check early: Bacon can go from just right to too dark quickly, so peek a minute or two before the suggested time.
- Adjust for thickness: Thicker slices need a little extra time, while thin-cut bacon cooks faster.
- Drain after cooking: Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate so excess grease doesn't soften the crisp texture.
- Clean while warm: Let the air fryer cool slightly, then wipe out the basket to make cleanup easier before grease sets.
Kelly Bloom says
My family loved this!