Air Fryer Bacon is a quick and easy recipe for the best crispy bacon! Once you cook bacon in your air fryer, you'll never go back to the old way again!
Air Fryer Bacon is the best way to cook bacon!
No more making a greasy mess and hot, dangerous bacon fat over a hot stove!
In less than 10 minutes you can have crispy, perfectly cooked bacon on the table using your air fryer.
I make a vegan tempeh air fryer bacon that is to die for, and this pork bacon is just as delicious!
We all know how it goes - cooking bacon on the stovetop takes so much effort!
You have to cook it in batches, so the texture is rarely uniform.
And don't even get me started on the mess!
How to Make Bacon in the Air Fryer
I'm certain that once you try making bacon in your air fryer, you'll never look back!
All you need is a few strips of center cut pork bacon and a few minutes.
Here's how you do it:
This air fryer bacon recipe eliminates all of that and leaves you with the most incredible tasting, crispy bacon!
- The first thing you'll want to do is remove desired strips of bacon from the package.
- Next, cut the bacon strips in half. (optional or use other methods below) This will make it easier to fit in the air fryer basket and it'll crisp up perfectly!
- Arrange the bacon slices in the bottom of your air fryer basket.
- Then, turn your air fryer to 350 degrees and cook it for 6-8 minutes.
- Remove the bacon from the air fryer basket and drain it on paper towels. This will help to remove extra grease and allow the bacon to crisp well.
- Finally, serve and enjoy!
Tips for Cooking Perfect Bacon
When cooking more than one batch of bacon, you MUST empty the second air fryer basket!
All of the excess bacon fat that drains into the pan will collect and make your air fryer SMOKE! Click here to learn the best way to clean your air fryer.
The cooking time for this fried bacon recipe is for thinner center cut bacon slices.
If your bacon is thicker, increase the cook time to 8-10 minutes.
Watch the cooking time! Different air fryers have varying cook times, and bacon can easily burn.
Keep an eye on your air fryer as the bacon cooks and carefully open the basket to do so if needed.
Air Fryer Bacon is unique because you can cook it a variety of ways.
You can use the "twist method" pictured on the left. That allows you to fit more bacon.
You can also use the "dump and go" method pictures on the right. Literally, stack your back in there and let it cook, stirring one time during the process.
How to Serve Air Fryer Bacon
Serve with eggs, fruit and a cherry vanilla smoothie for the perfect breakfast spread.
Crumble over a salad to add some crunch.
Add a few slices to an egg sandwich for a delicious breakfast on the go.
Crumble and mix with salt & pepper to make bacon salt.
Make a BLT! Add to a sandwich spread with mayo or hummus, top with thick slices of fresh tomato and crunchy green lettuce. Yum!
Whole 30 Air Fryer Bacon
We often get a lot of questions, if our recipes are Whole 30 compliant. Some of our recipes are Whole 30 Air Fryer Recipes and some do not fit that category.
This Whole 30 Air Fryer Bacon is compliant with the typical recommendations.
Read the label to make sure it is nitrate and sugar free.
The whole 30 way of eating emphasizes whole foods and the elimination of sugar, alcohol, grains, legumes, soy, and dairy.
Want more delicious air fryer breakfast recipes? Check these out!
We have so many air fryer recipes to choose from!
If you are having trouble figuring out which one to try next, we suggest: Air Fryer French Toast, Air Fryer Hard Boiled Eggs and Air Fryer Donuts
We LOVE our Cosori Air Fryers. We have:
Pro Tip: This recipe can be made in the air fryer unit with a basket or the air fryer oven.
If you are using the air fryer oven, use the middle rack and select the "Air Fry" function.
Meat Air Fryer Resources - We have a Meat/Veg Air Fryer Newsletter, which you can subscribe to here.
We also have several Air Fryer Facebook Groups that you can join (see below for links).
Vegetarian Air Fryer Resources – We have a vegetarian air fryer newsletter, which you can subscribe to here. We also have a specific vegetarian air fryer recipes group on facebook.
You can find that Veg Air Fryer FB Group here.
If you are looking for vegetarian recipes beyond air fryer ones, we have a Vegetarian Newsletter as well as a Vegetarian Recipes facebook group.
This newsletter and FB group offers up recipes that on the stove, in the oven, on the grill, in the instant pot and more!
Other Resources:
Air Fryer Calculator (convert oven recipes to air fryer)
Air Fryer Cooking Times Cheat Sheet
Can You Put Foil in the Air Fryer
More Air Fryer Goodies:
Air Fryer Recipes – Facebook Group (large + fast paced – meat/veg)
Air Fryer Recipes for Seniors – Facebook Group
Gluten Free Air Fryer Recipes – Facebook Group
Air Fryer Eats – Facebook Group (slower paced)
Have you made this recipe? Please leave a comment AND rating below! It helps other readers!
Be sure to tag @AirFryerEats on instagram, if you share a picture on the gram! Let's get social, you can follow me on Youtube, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest or join one of our Air Fryer Facebook Groups: Air Fryer Recipes, Air Fryer Recipes for Seniors and Gluten Free Air Fryer Recipes.
Don't forget to subscribe to our EMAIL newsletter.
If you have tried this Whole 30 Air Fryer Bacon Recipe, drop us a comment below! Tell us what method you used to cook the bacon. Did you twist it, dump it in there or only cook a small amount?
Air Fryer Bacon
Equipment
- Air fryer
Ingredients
- 1 package center cut bacon
Instructions
- To make your air fryer bacon, start by removing desired slices of bacon from the package.
- Optional: Cut the bacon strips in half. This will help the bacon fit in the air fryer basket. Or use the twisted method or dump and go method described in the post.
- Place your bacon in the air fryer.
- Cook your air fryer bacon a 350 degrees for 6-8 minutes. Flip the bacon midway through the cooking process.
- Remove the bacon from the air fryer and place it on paper towels. This will soak up any extra grease.
- Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- If you plan to cook a second batch, it is critical that you empty the second air fryer basket. It is the basket that contains all the grease from your air fryer bacon. If you do not empty and wipe it out, it will make your air fryer SMOKE.
- The cooking time for this air fryer bacon recipe is for thinner center cut slices. If you are using thick slices, I would suggest cooking the bacon strips 8-10 minutes.
- Just like with anything you cook, you need to monitor the cooking. Bacon can quickly turn from deliciously golden brown to burnt. Keep your eye on the air fryer bacon as it cooks. Its okay if you open the air fryer basket to check on it.
- Readers have shared that if you are using an air fryer unit with a basket you can put a piece of bread between the baskets to catch the grease.
Nutrition
Air Fryers can vary greatly. Please take the time to learn your specific air fryer. You may need to adjust times and temperatures based upon your air fryer. All though this website attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, the information should only be considered an estimate. Varying factors such as different product types, different brands, etc. can change nutritional information. It is your responsibility as a consumer to read all labels to make sure the ingredients fit your dietary needs as well as calculate your own nutritional information as a double check.
Meat Air Fryer Bundle - Click here
Vegetarian Air Fryer Bundle - Click here
Let's talk! Drop me a comment below and let me know if you have made this air fryer bacon! Who would have thought that making bacon in the air fryer would be so tasty!
Anita
For those with an air fryer, this is definitely one of the easiest method to fry bacon. 🙂
Maike
BACON! 😍I just got a new air fryer, and this recipe sounds perfect for its first fry. The tip about using two baskets for larger batches is great, I'll be sure to do that. Thank you for sharing!
Cindy
So glad you found our recipe! Enjoy this air fryer bacon!! YUM!
Beth
The best way to cook bacon! Love how it's virtually mess free!
Cindy
You know it, Beth! The best way to make bacon is in the air fryer!
Jeannette
Hands down, easiest way to make bacon! What a treat of a recipe! Thanks for sharing, Cindy!
Cindy
Thank you so much!! Air Fryer Bacon is totally easy, isn't it?!! Its a WIN!
Veena Azmanov
Thanks for the Air Fryer Bacon info. This makes the Bacon healthier and definitely crunchy and best topping options too.
Adriana
Now I need to buy an air fryer. We love bacon at home but like it crispy I use the microwave but now I want an air fryer.
Cindy
You for sure need an air fryer!
Ina
I have never think to cook bacon on airfryer, brilliant! So crispy! I usually cook spring roll on it, so much better than deep fry it.
Cindy
Spring rolls in the air fryer are delicious! Yes it is better than a deep fry! You'll have to try air fryer bacon!
Chris Smith
WOW thanks to you guys
The recipe are real
Much love from air fry
Jennifer Yasmin
I don't eat bacon. But hope I can try the same recipe just by replacing the meat. 😬 Thank you for sharing. ❤️
Cindy
You would like our VEGAN air fryer bacon on our sister site: https://vegetarianmamma.com/vegan-air-fryer-bacon/
brutus sanchez
Do you preheat, or put the bacon into the air fryer and then turn it on?
Cindy
Hello! I did not preheat the air fryer. I just put it into the air fryer basket and turned it on. I give space between in my air fryer basket, however people in our air fryer facebook group say they stack it up/criss cross and it cooks okay. I haven't tried yet but that is what they are saying works for them 🙂
Marcia Mayo
Best way to fix bacon
Cindy
Thank you so much! We couldn't agree more. After we tried this air fryer bacon recipe, we though the same thing!
Pinkett King
I have tried this fried bacon recipe and added a twist! I twisted my thin bacon, and therefore able to fit the whole package in the fryer. I cooked them at 350 degrees for 8 mins, turned over once and cooked for another 6 mins, they came out crispy and the best and no mess bacon ever. I will not fry bacon any other way. It’s a 5 out of 5 stars recipe!!!
Cindy
Hi Pinkett! Thank you for coming back and letting us know how this air fryer bacon turned out for you. I like that you twisted your thin bacon to make the entire package fit! Great thinking! Isn't it great to not have much mess!!
Mable Dotson
I purchased an air fryer about a week ago and started right off looking for recipes. I ran across these recipes by Cindy. Since I love bacon and wanted something simple at first, her bacon recipe caught my eye first thing. I am a big skeptic and thought that her bacon looked too perfect and I was out to prove her wrong! Well, I got my bacon started in my air fryer like she said. I kept checking on it to see if it was failing (literally). Well, I gave up and let it cook. So, lo and behold, when it finished (in the time she said), I took it out and found it to be PERFECT!!! Thank you so much Cindy for not only the bacon recipe, but all the others. I have recommended this site to all my friends! Again, thanks!
Cindy
Mable, that is the sweetest comment. I am so glad that you loved it and it came out perfect! What a testimony! Thank you so much for trying and love our air fryer bacon!
Christy
i love my Air fryer. i cook my bacon always. so crispy... the way i like it...
Cindy
So glad you loved our air fryer bacon! We love it too! So easy to make!
Sherrie Gil
The best way to make bacon ever in the air fryer. Doesn't heat up house and so easy to clean up. I put two pieces of bread in bottom pan to soak up the grease.
Cindy
Fully agree! I love that the air fryers DO NOT heat up the entire house!! The bread tip is a great one to soak up that grease!
Chris Smith
i love my Air fryer. i cook my bacon always. so crispy… the way i like it…
Cindy
HI Chris!! We love our air fryers too! So glad you liked our air fryer bacon recipe! Thanks for coming back and letting us know!
Carol
I love cooking bacon this way. It is amazing. Will never cook on stove again. Who knew? Called and told my son. He is fixing to get an airfryer.
Cindy
So glad that you called and told your son about your air frying success with this bacon recipe! We think its delish too!
Barbara
Have made the air fryer bacon and it’s perfect! No mess, crispy and delicious! Watch the cook time as it can burn easily. Also, I recommend adding a slice of bread underneath the basket to absorb the grease and prevent smoking and flare ups!!
Cindy
Yes, you for sure have to watch that cook time it can change from perfect to burnt oh so quickly!! I like the bread tip!! 🙂
betty
Thanks so much
My husband loves this
I love your recipes so much
Cindy
Hello Betty! So glad you made it and enjoyed it! I appreciate your support! Thanks for coming back and letting us know how it turned out! We are happy to help you in your air fryer journey!
Ben
I love cooking bacon this way in my air fryer! Thank you for the easy instructions
Cindy
Hi Ben, so glad you loved the easy instructions and it turned out tasty for you!
Michelle
Honestly one of my favorite things to cook in the air fryer! Thank you for showing me how easily it can be done.
Cindy
Hi Michelle, so glad you liked the air fryer bacon. It really does a great job of cooking it up!
Lou
Bacon is THE best in the air fryer. Thanks for the temp suggestion, it worked perfectly!
Cindy
Hi Lou, so glad you liked our temp/time for air fryer bacon! yay!
Trevor
Legit the best bacon ever!
Cindy
We Agree Trevor! So glad you like it!
Sandra
This was so delicious. I made it today! It was approved by my entire family! I am adding it to the breakfast rotation! YUMMMM
Cindy
So glad you liked it, thank you for coming back and leaving a review and comment!