• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Katie's Cucina
  • Home
  • About
    • Contact Me
    • FAQS
    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Statement
    • Collaborate
  • Recipes
    • Appetizer
    • Asian
    • Breakfast
    • Bread
    • Comfort Food
    • Dairy Free
    • Dessert
      • Cookies
      • Ice Cream
    • Drinks
      • Smoothie
    • gluten free
    • Greek
    • Grilling
    • Holiday
      • Christmas
      • Halloween
    • Instant Pot
    • Italian
    • Katie Original
    • Main Dish
      • Beef
      • Chicken
      • Pork
      • Sausage
      • Turkey
      • Pizza
    • Mexican
    • One Pot Meal
    • Polish
    • Salad
      • Dressing
    • Sandwich
    • Seafood
      • Shrimp
    • Side Dish
    • Slow Cooker
    • Soups and Stews
    • Vegetarian
  • Travel
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • About Me
  • Contact
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • About Me
  • Contact
×
Katie's Cucina » Recipes » Air Fryer

Air Fryer Bacon

Published: Jan 24, 2022 · Modified: Oct 4, 2022 by Katie · This post may contain affiliate links

138 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • Threads
  • WhatsApp
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
Two images separated by recipe title text; top: slices of cooked bacon on paper towel, bottom: bacon in air fryer basket removed by tongs
two images separated by title text; top: bacon slices on paper towel, bottom: bacon in air fryer basket with tongs on the side
Eleven cooked slices of bacon resting on paper towel with title text on bottom
bacon in air fryer basket removed by tongs and placed on paper towel
multiple slices of cooked bacon resting on paper towel, title text on top
Eleven cooked slices of bacon resting on paper towel with title text on top

Make crispy crunchy bacon in minutes with my easy Air Fryer Bacon recipe. All you need is non-stick cooking spray, bacon, and an Air Fryer to make this recipe.

Multiple cooked slices of bacon resting on paper towel

Bacon is delicious to eat on its own, but you can also use it to top on baked potatoes, mix into salads, or even enjoy tossed in vegetables. Since really digging deep and learning all about the Air Fryer I have started testing all sorts of new ways to cook food. For years, I have baked my bacon in the oven, that is until I received an Air Fryer. Just like the simplicity of baking bacon in the oven, the air fryer makes it just as easy to yield crispy full size slices of bacon in minutes!

My Air Fryer Bacon is my go-to when I need to make a small batch for a quick breakfast or topping on potatoes. I also will use this method for making an entire package of bacon, just know that you will need more hands on time for this method if you are making more then 4-5 strips at once.

Table of contents

  • Ingredients
  • How to Cook Bacon in Air Fryer
  • FAQs
  • Tips & Tricks
  • Bacon Recipes
  • Air Fryer Recipes

Ingredients

Pack of Kirkland brand bacon sitting on marble counter
  • Non-stick Cooking Spray – You will only need a tiny spray of this at the very beginning for your first batch of bacon.
  • Bacon – You can use any type of bacon for this recipe; thick cut bacon, Maple bacon, or even turkey bacon. Just know cooking times may vary.

How to Cook Bacon in Air Fryer

Preheat Air Fryer. This is something that will vary depending on your Air Fryer that you own. Note: I used both the Instant Vortex (basket) and the Power AirFryer Pro to test this recipe. Preheat the Air Fryer at 350 degrees Fahrenheit or until Air Fryer tells you to place food on tray.

Four uncooked slices of bacon on mesh rack

Spray the wire racks with non-stick cooking spray. Layer bacon (typically 4 slices) so it’s evenly spaced out on tray. Cook for 11 minutes turning half way through.

PRO TIP: If you are using wire racks and find the slices aren’t fitting all the way on the rack. Feel free to cut the strips in half like pictured above.

bacon in air fryer basket removed by tongs and placed on paper towel

Flip the bacon half way through the cooking process.

Bacon in air fryer basket with tongs on the side

Carefully, remove bacon from Air Fryer and place on a paper lined plate. Then, repeat until all bacon is cooked. Enjoy.

FAQs

Eleven cooked slices of bacon resting on paper towel

Here are all the frequently asked questions readers have asked when making this recipe.

How long does bacon need in an air fryer?

Depending on the air fryer you own will depend on the cooking time for bacon. I have found with both basket and oven style air fryers that it needs at least 10 minutes for thick cut bacon. However, if you have thinner bacon you may only need as little as 6 minutes.

Do you have to flip the bacon over while cooking in an Air Fryer?

It’s always best to flip the bacon over while cooking in an Air Fryer since once side will only be exposed to the heating coil. Always best to flip at the half way point of cooking.

Do you need to preheat your air fryer?

Preheating your air fryer all depends on the make and model of your air fryer. The three air fryers I own; Instant Vortex (basket), Instant Omni Pro (oven), and the Power XL AirFryer Pro (oven) all require preheating.

Is it safe to cook bacon in an air fryer?

Yes, it is safe to cook bacon in the air fryer as long as you cook at a lower temperature. Bacon is naturally a fatty food, which means that it could smoke and/or catch on fire if cooked at a high temperature. The smoke point of bacon is 400 degrees Fahrenheit. I recommend cooking bacon at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Tips & Tricks

two images of different air fryers cooking slices of bacon

Here are a few of my favorite tips and tricks I’ve learned when making this recipe.

  • Testing – I tested this recipe using both the Instant Vortex (basket) and the Power XL AirFryer Pro (oven). I found that the method of cooking bacon worked better in the basket then in the oven style. My cooking time was a little longer with the oven style since I had multiple racks cooking at once. I also found the oil in the oven was much messier and splattered more.
  • Spacing – Whenever cooking in an Air Fryer you will want to ensure that your food has room to breathe. This means, do not crowd your basket. I cook 4 slices at a time. My typical thick cut bacon package has 12 slices which means you will need to do 3 batches.
  • Storage – If you happen to have leftover bacon you can store in an airtight container or plastic Ziplock bag in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • Crispy Bacon – If you like crispier bacon, add 2-3 more minutes onto the cooking time (depending on the thickness of your bacon).
  • How to dispose bacon grease – Do not pour the bacon grease down the kitchen sink drain. It will clog your pipes. Instead pour into a used can or jar and let cool until congealed. Then dispose in the trash can. Do not pour hot bacon grease into a trash can. It could start a fire.
  • Bacon Fat – Instead of throwing away the bacon fat/grease. You can pour into a clean mason jar and store in the refrigerator.
  • How to use leftover bacon fat – Then add 1-2 tablespoons to recipes to intensify flavors. I love to sue bacon fat in my green beans, breakfast potatoes, and more.

Bacon Recipes

Multiple cooked slices of bacon resting on paper towel

If you are looking to use up some of your leftover bacon. Here are a few of my favorite bacon recipes.

  • Bacon and Chive Buffalo Chicken Dip
  • Horseradish and Bacon Deviled Eggs
  • Spicy Bacon Bloody Mary’s
  • Bacon Cheddar Fries

Air Fryer Recipes

Looking for more air fryer recipes? Try these…

  • Air Fryer Chicken Strips
  • Air Fryer Sausage
  • Air Fryer Salmon Recipe

If you make this Air Fryer Bacon recipe, I would be honored and love for you to take the time to leave a star rating and comment! I spend hours developing and testing these recipes, and always love to hear feedback and user experience!

Don’t forget to FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram, and subscribe to my email list!

Square photo of a paper towel lined plate with crispy bacon

Air Fryer Bacon

Make crispy crunchy bacon in minutes with my easy Air Fryer Bacon recipe. All you need is non-stick cooking spray, bacon, and an Air Fryer to make this recipe.
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Save Saved! Rate
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free, Low Lactose
Cook Time: 11 minutes minutes
Total Time: 11 minutes minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 315kcal
Author: Katie

Equipment

  • Air Fryer

Ingredients

  • Non-Stick Cooking Spray
  • 16 ounces Bacon

Instructions

  • Preheat the Air Fryer at 350 degrees Fahrenheit or until Air Fryer tells you to place food on tray.
  • Spray the tray with non-stick cooking spray. Layer bacon (typically 4 slices) so it's evenly spaced out on tray. Cook for 11 minutes, turning half way through the cooking process.
  • Carefully, remove bacon from Air Fryer and place on a paper lined plate. Then, repeat until all bacon is cooked. Enjoy.

Notes

  • Testing – I tested this recipe using both the Instant Vortex (basket) and the Power XL AirFryer Pro (oven). I found that the method of cooking bacon worked better in the basket then in the oven style. My cooking time was a little longer with the oven style since I had multiple racks cooking at once. I also found the oil in the oven was much messier and splattered more.
  • Spacing – Whenever cooking in an Air Fryer you will want to ensure that your food has room to breathe. This means, do not crowd your basket. I cook 4 slices at a time. My typical thick cut bacon package has 12 slices which means you will need to do 3 batches.
  • Storage – If you happen to have leftover bacon you can store in an airtight container or plastic Ziplock bag in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • Crispy Bacon – If you like crispier bacon, add 2-3 more minutes onto the cooking time (depending on the thickness of your bacon).
  • How to dispose bacon grease – Do not pour the bacon grease down the kitchen sink drain. It will clog your pipes. Instead pour into a used can or jar and let cool until congealed. Then dispose in the trash can. Do not pour hot bacon grease into a trash can. It could start a fire.
  • Bacon Fat – Instead of throwing away the bacon fat/grease. You can pour into a clean mason jar and store in the refrigerator.
  • How to use leftover bacon fat – Then add 1-2 tablespoons to recipes to intensify flavors. I love to sue bacon fat in my green beans, breakfast potatoes, and more.
*Calories calculated are an estimate and may not be exact. Refer to bacon packaging for exact calories.

Nutrition

Serving: 24g | Calories: 315kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 50mg | Sodium: 500mg | Potassium: 150mg | Vitamin A: 28IU | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @KatieJasiewicz or tag #katiescucina!
  • white bowl filled with elbow mac and cheese with two spoons laying on top of striped cloth.
    Macaroni and Cheese with Heavy Cream
  • 6 chicken wings on a white plate stacked next to celery slices.
    Instant Pot Chicken Wings from Frozen
  • Two white bowls stacked with beef and barley soup on a yellow cloth.
    Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup
  • White baking dish filled with toasted marshmallow casserole on a white and blue striped cloth with a silver spoon next to it.
    Old Fashioned Sweet Potato Casserole

Disclosure: There are affiliate links present in this post. That means if you click on a link and purchase something. I will receive a small percentage of the sale at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your continuous support of Katie’s Cucina!

« Puff Pastry Apple Turnovers
Egg and Ham Savory Waffle Stacks »

About Katie

Katie is a busy mom of 2 children who loves to feed her family delicious meals that don't take hours to cook! She started her blog 15 years ago as a way to help others get cooking in the kitchen.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sandy Stephens

    December 09, 2022 at 5:27 pm

    5 stars
    Air Fryer Bacon is the ONLY way to cook it! I save the bacon grease in mason jars all the time. I use it to season my cornbread as well as my iron skillet to cook it in. Green Beans, soup beans, just about anything. My dad told me NOT to cook his bacon any other way but the air fryer!! He loved it! Also not near as greasy too as it drips down into the bottom and I dump it into a Pyrex glass measuring cup to cool then into my mason jar.

    Reply
    • Katie

      December 13, 2022 at 7:31 am

      Sandy, we sound like peas in a pod! I also save ALL my bacon fat for cooking–it adds so much flavor. Thank you for taking the time to leave a 5 star review!

5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

Did you make this recipe? Let me know! Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

I'm Katie Jasiewicz: home cook, food blogger, and recipe developer. A busy mom of two children who loves to feed her family delicious meals that don’t take hours to cook! My mission is to create easy-to-make modern comfort food for the busy family. (more)

Featured On

brand logos in collaage; food network, MSN, kitchenaid, country living, world market, etc

Most Popular Recipes

  • Glass baking dish filled with peach cobbler resting on a striped dish cloth.
    Old Fashioned Peach Cobbler
  • Broccoli Cheese Casserole spooned out of white baking dish
    Broccoli Casserole with Ritz Crackers
  • Female hand holding a tortilla chip over a bowl of queso dip.
    Velveeta Cheese Dip
  • Glass plate filled with an apple pie with powdered sugar.
    Apple Pie with Streusel Topping
  • White oval dish filled with creamed spinach on a blue and white striped towel.
    Steakhouse Creamed Spinach
  • Dried spaghetti on a countertop.
    KitchenAid Pasta Recipe

Grilling Recipes

  • Skillet filled with pasta, tomatoes, basil, and sliced chicken on a blue and white checkered cloth.
    Bruschetta Chicken Pasta
  • White plate with dots with 2 grilled chicken strips, rice, and green beans on a blue and white checkered cloth.
    Grilled Chicken Strips
  • Thinly slices of steak on a white plate with steak juice on plate.
    Grilled Flank Steak
  • Sliced pork with green beans, and mashed sweet potato on a white and blue checkered cloth.
    Grilled Pork Tenderloin

Footer

logos of places Katie's Cucina has been featured on; food network, KitchenAid, Stonyfield, Country LIving, Women's Health, etc.

COPYRIGHT © KATIE'S CUCINA 2009-2025
AS AN AMAZON ASSOCIATE I EARN FROM QUALIFYING PURCHASES.
PRIVACY POLICY · ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT · DESIGN BY GRACE + VINE STUDIOS

138 shares

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.