There is something truly magical about perfectly crispy bacon. That irresistible crunch, smoky aroma, and savoury flavour that instantly makes any meal better. Whether you’re starting your day with a classic breakfast or adding a punch of flavour to sandwiches, salads, or even desserts, bacon remains a beloved kitchen staple. But getting that perfect crispiness without a greasy mess can sometimes feel like a challenge, except with air fryer bacon.
Enter the air fryer, a game-changer for bacon lovers everywhere. This handy kitchen gadget lets you cook bacon faster, cleaner, and with less mess than traditional stovetop or oven methods. The air fryer circulates hot air around the bacon slices, rendering out the fat while crisping the meat evenly on all sides. And the result? Crispy, golden bacon with perfectly rendered fat and none of the hassle of flipping or splattering grease all over your kitchen hob and counter.
In this recipe, I will show you how to achieve that ideal bacon crisp in your air fryer with minimal effort. Whether you are cooking for one or a crowd, the method is easy to scale and requires just a few simple steps. Plus, using an air fryer means less clean-up and less lingering bacon smell in your kitchen.
Perfectly cooked air fryer bacon is versatile. Enjoy it on its own, crumble it over salads, wrap it around veggies, or add it to your favourite sandwiches for an extra burst of flavour. This recipe is your go-to guide for consistently delicious bacon every time. And once you try air fried bacon, you will wonder how you ever cooked bacon any other way.
PREP 1 minute
COOK 12 – 15 minutes
SERVES 2 people
KIT you will need an air fryer and paper towels to soak up excess fat
Ingredients for Air Fryer Bacon
Bacon slices (as many as you want, make sure they fit in your air fryer basket in a single layer)
Method
Preheat your air fryer to 200°C for 3 minutes. Preheating ensures that the air fryer reaches the ideal temperature to cook the bacon evenly and crisp it perfectly right from the start.
Next, lay your bacon slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. It’s important not to overlap the slices, as this can cause uneven cooking and prevent the bacon from getting as crispy as you want. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the bacon in batches.
Then set the air fryer timer for 8 minutes. Cooking times can vary depending on the thickness of your bacon slices, so this is a great starting point. Halfway through the cooking time (around 4 minutes) open the air fryer and carefully flip each slice. This flipping helps ensure both sides get equally crispy and browned.
As the bacon finishes cooking, pay close attention to the last couple of minutes. If you prefer your bacon extra crispy, you can add a minute or two, but watch carefully to avoid burning. The smell of perfectly cooked bacon will be your best indicator.
When the timer goes off, use tongs or a fork to carefully remove the bacon from the air fryer basket. It will be hot and crispy, so handle it with care. Place the bacon slices on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess grease. This step helps the bacon maintain its crisp texture and prevents it from becoming soggy.
Finally, serve your air fryer bacon hot and enjoy the crispy, smoky goodness with your favourite breakfast or meal. Cleaning up is easy, too. Simply wipe out the basket once it cools. Cooking bacon in the air fryer is fast, less messy, and delivers perfectly crisp results every time!
Tips for Air Fryer Bacon
Cooking bacon in an air fryer is simple, but a few tips can make your results even better. Here’s everything you need to know to get consistently delicious bacon every time:
1. Don’t overcrowd the basket: For the crispiest bacon, arrange the slices in a single layer without overlapping. Overlapping can cause uneven cooking and prevent the edges from crisping properly. If you have a lot of bacon, cook it in batches.
2. Adjust cooking time for thickness: Thin-sliced bacon generally crisps faster, so check it around 7–8 minutes. Thick-cut bacon may need closer to 10–12 minutes. Keep an eye on it toward the end to prevent burning.
3. Flip halfway through: Flipping your bacon slices halfway through cooking helps them brown evenly on both sides. Use tongs or a fork to avoid tearing the bacon.
4. Use parchment paper or a liner: If you want easier clean-up, you can line the air fryer basket with parchment paper designed for air fryers. This also helps prevent small pieces of bacon from falling through the basket.
5. Save the bacon grease: Don’t toss the grease left in the air fryer basket! Let it cool and strain it into a container. Bacon fat is perfect for cooking eggs, roasting veggies, or adding flavor to other dishes.
6. Don’t skip preheating: Preheating your air fryer ensures the bacon starts cooking at the right temperature, giving crispier results.
7. Monitor the last few minutes closely: Bacon can go from perfectly crispy to burnt very quickly. Keep an eye on it during the last 2–3 minutes, especially if it’s your first time.
8. Drain well before serving: Use paper towels to soak up excess grease and keep it crunchy.
By following these tips, you’ll master air fried bacon and enjoy perfect results every time.
Related Recipes
Bacon is one of those ingredients that makes just about everything better. From quick breakfasts to savoury snacks and hearty mains. If you loved making bacon in the air fryer, you’ll be happy to know there are plenty of ways to use it in other easy, delicious recipes. Here are a few favourites from the blog that showcase the crispy magic of bacon.
Air Fryer Bacon Toasties
Golden, crispy, and loaded with melty cheese and sizzling bacon – these toasties are a comfort food classic made even better in the air fryer.
Air Fryer Croissants
A creative way to use up stale croissants! Stuffed with bacon and cheese, then air fried to golden perfection. Ideal for a savoury brunch.
Air Fryer Scotch Eggs
Classic Scotch eggs with a crispy air fried coating and juicy sausage centre. These are great for picnics or lunchboxes!
Air Fryer Brunch Muffins
Packed with eggs, cheese, and crumbled bacon, these muffins are perfect for meal prep or a weekend breakfast spread.
Air-Fryer Chicken, Leek & Bacon Pie
A cosy and comforting dish with a creamy chicken and bacon filling, topped with flaky pastry and cooked to golden brown in the air fryer.
Air Fryer Savoury Tarts
These quick tarts combine sausage, stuffing, and crispy bacon on a puff pastry base creating a festive, crowd-pleasing bite.
Want more air fryer recipes like these? Then join the AirFryerUK Club to unlock members-only content including custom meal plans, shopping lists, and my biggest-ever recipe collection. It’s everything you need to level up your air fryer game.
Love the recipes? Buy my best selling cookbooks directly from my Amazon shop and bring even more air fryer goodness into your kitchen!