Air Fryer Bacon- Can you cook bacon in an air fryer? Yes, you can make bacon in the air fryer and it’s so easy! Crispy, delicious bacon every time. 

Bacon does not last long in our family. I feel like as soon as I make it, it’s gone. I love serving it with this Instant Pot French Toast Casserole and Crustless Quiche. 

I purchased my air fryer last year and cooking bacon was one of the first things I tried. It is amazing how many things you can make in an air fryer! 

How to make

For full, printable directions, scroll down. 

First you must decide what type of bacon you want. I used a center cut, thick slice. Feel free to use your favorite like smoked bacon, turkey bacon, or even Canadian Bacon. 

• Begin by adding a little bit of water to the grease catcher. I find this helps reduce smoking and makes cleanup a little easier.
• Place 6-7 pieces of bacon in the fryer basket. I try not to overlap too much to ensure the each piece cooks evenly. 
• Cook at 390 degrees for 8-10 minutes. I prefer my bacon a little crispier so 10 minutes is perfect. Each air fryer cooks a little differently so you might want to start with 8 minutes to test. 
• Make sure to flip the bacon half way through the cooking process (so around 4-5 minutes of cooking). 

Tips for Air Fryer Bacon

• Add a little water to the grease pan to help prevent smoking. I also like to empty the grease before making the second batch.
• I used thick, center cut bacon. If you use thinner bacon I would recommend starting with 8 minutes instead of 10.
• Once cooked, transfer to a paper towel lined plate to soak up any extra grease. 
• Cooked bacon can be stored in a resealable bag for up to a week. 

Why Cook Bacon with an Air Fryer

Air fryers work by circulating hot air that contains tiny oil droplets. This means you don’t have to submerge the food in a pot full of oil which translates into lower fat content. 

• Easy clean-up
• Even cooking 

Is it healthy?

The great thing about cooking bacon in the air fryer is it isn’t sitting in grease. You still get the crispy without all the grease. But it’s bacon, so if you are watching fat and calories, turkey bacon might be your best option. 

How To Cook Turkey Bacon in Air Fryer

Turkey bacon can be made using the same directions. 390 degrees for 4-5 minutes each side depending on how crispy you like your bacon.

Can Bacon be Reheated

Yes! Often I will make two packages of bacon and keep some for meals during the week. You can reheat by:

• Placing bacon on a paper towel lined plate and microwave 30-40 seconds.
• Place on a baking sheet, cover with foil and bake at 400 degrees for about 5 minutes. 
• Place it back in the air fryer at 400 degrees for 2-3 minutes. 

How to prevent air fryer from smoking

• Add approximately 1/4 cup water in the pan under the fryer basket. 
• You can also add parchment paper to the pan under basket. 
• Try adding a piece of bread at the bottom to soak up grease. 

Recipes with bacon

• Grilled Chicken Bacon Melt – Grilled chicken topped with bacon, jalapenos and cheese. 
• Bacon Spinach Artichoke Dip – A hot, creamy dip. Great for parties.
• French Toast Bacon Casserole – A delicious breakfast casserole that feeds a crowd.
• Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts – One of our favorite appetizers!
• Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Asparagus – An amazing side dish. 
• Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Pineapple Bites – A sweet and salty appetizer everyone loves. 

*** If you have made this recipe please leave a comment and star rating below.