Who doesn’t love bacon? I truly believe bacon is a food that makes everything taste better. Bacon is good for breakfast, lunch or dinner and there is no easier way to make it than in an air fryer. I usually cook my back in the oven, air frying my bacon has truly been a game changer. Air Fryer Bacon is quick, easy and always result in crispy and tasty bacon. So let’s put away the frying pan and baking sheet and make our way over to the air fryer to make the crispiest bacon. You won’t want to make your bacon any other way.
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How to Make Perfectly Crispy Air Fryer Bacon
Perfectly crispy bacon start with the bacon. I like to start with Whether you’re adding it to breakfast, sandwiches, salads, or simply enjoying it on its own, bacon is beloved for its savory, salty, and crispy texture. Traditionally, bacon is fried on the stovetop or baked in the oven, but today, we’re taking it up a notch by using the air fryer. Not only does this method result in irresistibly crispy bacon, but it’s also quicker and cleaner. Say goodbye to grease splatters and hello to easy, perfect bacon every time! In this blog post, we’ll cover step-by-step instructions for making crispy bacon in an air fryer, along with tips to customize it to your liking.
Why Make Bacon in an Air Fryer?
The air fryer makes cooking bacon better in my opinion. Because the air fryer uses hot air to circulate, the bacon cooks evenly and this results in crispier pieces of bacon. This also allows the bacon to cook faster and get your meal on the table quicker. And unlike when I cook it in the oven, the air fryer allow the excess oil to drip away from the bacon making for less greasy and healthier bacon.
The air fryer will cook your bacon on a timer which means you can set it and forget it. But for me, the best reason to use the air fryer is less mess and easy clean up.
Now that you know the benefits, let’s get to cooking some delicious and crispy bacon in the air fryer!
Ingredients for Air Fryer Bacon
To make air-fried bacon, you’ll need just one essential ingredient: Bacon.
- Bacon: You can choose your favorite kind of bacon—regular, thick-cut, turkey bacon, or even flavored varieties. The only thing to keep in mind is that thicker bacon may take a bit longer to cook, while thinner slices will cook a whole lot quicker.
Optional add-ons for flavor:
- Black pepper: A sprinkle of freshly ground pepper can add a little extra kick to your bacon.
- Maple syrup or brown sugar: If you prefer a sweet and salty flavor, brushing the bacon with a touch of maple syrup or sprinkling with brown sugar before air frying is a game-changer.
What You Will Need
- Air fryer. Any standard air fryer will work just make sure the internal basket is large enough to lay the bacon slices in a single layer. You may opt to cut the bacon in half if your air fryer can not accommodate.
- Tongs. Always use tong or a long fork to safely remove your bacon from the air fryer. The air fryer gets very hot and you do not want to burn yourself.
Instructions for Air Fryer Bacon
1. Preheat the Air Fryer (Optional)
While preheating the air fryer isn’t really necessary, I recommend it to aid in even cooking. If you preheat your air fryer, set it to 375°F (190°C) and allow it to heat up for 2 minutes before adding the bacon.
2. Arrange the Bacon in the Air Fryer
Next, lay the first batch of bacon slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Avoid overlapping the slices, as this will prevent the bacon from cooking evenly and getting crispy.
Tip: If you really want extra crispy bacon, you can place a small rack over the bacon to keep it from moving (flat) while it cooks.
3. Set the Temperature and Time
Set the air fryer temperature to 375°F (190°C). Cooking time is totally dependent on the thickness of the bacon. For my recipe, I used thick cut bacon and allowed it cook for 15 minutes. For regular-cut bacon, it generally takes about 8-10 minutes to reach optimal crispiness.
For a guide:
- Regular-cut bacon: 8-10 minutes
- Thick-cut bacon: 12-15 minutes
- Turkey bacon: 7-8 minutes
4. Check for Doneness
If you are using a thinner cut, after about 7 minutes, pause your air fryer and check the bacon. Use tongs to carefully lift a piece and check its texture. If it’s not quite crispy enough for your taste, continue cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes. For thicker cut bacon, check the bacon at around 12 minutes. In either case, keep an eye on it, as bacon can go from perfectly crispy to overcooked in an instant.
5. Remove the Bacon and Drain Excess Grease
Once the bacon is ready and to your desired crispiness, use the tongs to place the slices on a paper towel-lined plate. This will help absorb any remaining grease and ensure that the bacon stays crispy.
What to Eat with Air Fryer Bacon
Your crispy air fryer bacon will go perfect with so many dishes. Whether you’re serving it alongside eggs and toast, using it to top off a burger, or adding it to Brussel sprouts or a salad for extra crunch, air-fried bacon is sure to be a hit.
How to Customize Your Bacon
Now that you’ve mastered the basics for making air fryer bacon, here are a few ways to customize your bacon to give it a little something extra:
- For sweet bacon or candied bacon, brush with maple syrup or rub on a little brown sugar before air frying. This will create an unforgettable caramelized glaze on the bacon.
- For spicy bacon, sprinkle a little cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the bacon before cooking for a bit of a kick.
- Adding black pepper to your bacon before cooking will give your bacon a robust and savory taste.
- If you want to get a little fancy, try rubbing rosemary, thyme, or sage to the bacon slices before cooking. The heat will release the oils in the herbs, giving the bacon a fragrant, herbal aroma.
Conclusion
Air fryer bacon is one of the easiest ways to achieve that perfectly crispy texture without the hassle and mess of stovetop or the oven. Whether you like your bacon soft or extra crispy, the air fryer gives you control over the cooking process, and the results are always delicious. Plus, with all the flavor variations you can try, air-fried bacon will never get boring. So, grab your air fryer, load it up with your favorite bacon, and get ready to enjoy the ultimate crispy bacon experience!
Other Great Recipes
- Old Fashioned Pancakes– top these pancakes with maple syrup for a delicious breakfast or brunch.
- Chicken and Waffles – golden, fried and crispy chicken with a crispy on the outside soft on the inside waffle.
- Breakfast Potatoes – these potato are the perfect side dish to crispy air fryer bacon.
- French Toast – top these with your favor fruit and syrup and enjoy.
Air Fryer Bacon – How to Make Perfectly Crispy Bacon
8
servings2
minutes15
minutesIngredients
1 package Thick-cut Bacon
Directions
- Preheat your air fryer, set it to 375°F (190°C) and allow it to heat up for 2 minutes before adding the bacon.
- Lay your bacon slices in the air fryer in a single layer ensuring they do not touch.
- Allow the bacon to cook for 12- 15 for your thick-cut bacon.
- Cook the bacon in small batches.
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