Air Fryer Bacon

Air fryer bacon is a revolutionary way to enjoy a breakfast classic. This method makes cooking bacon easier, cleaner, and less greasy than traditional pan-frying, giving you perfectly crispy strips with less mess and effort.

I love bacon, and I know I’m not alone in my love for this salty, delicious food. One of the things I don’t like about cooking it is the mess, especially when I pan-fry it on the stove top.

And I know what you’re going to say. You still have to clean up the air fryer after you cook bacon. Very true. BUT the mess is all contained.

Since I have both the tray-type oven and basket air fryer, I wanted to see if there was a difference in both the cooking time and results. I’m happy to report that they both cooked bacon exactly the same for me.

The most significant difference is I can cook more pieces of bacon in the tray type air fryer than in the basket type.

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Why does bacon sometimes smoke in the air fryer?

Cooking bacon in the air fryer is a convenient and mess-free method, but it can sometimes produce smoke. Understanding why this happens can help you prevent it in the future:

1. Bacon is naturally high in fat, and as it cooks, the fat drips down into the air fryer’s basket or tray. When this hot fat comes into contact with the high heat of the air fryer, it can create smoke. This is especially true if you’re cooking very fatty bacon.
2. Overcrowding the air fryer basket with bacon slices can lead to smoke. When the bacon slices overlap or are too close, they can trap the hot fat, causing it to smoke. Make sure to arrange the bacon slices in a single layer where they lay flat without overlapping. This also allows the hot air to circulate and prevents fat from accumulating.
3. Cooking bacon at too high a temperature or for too long can also lead to smoking. The fat may start to burn, creating smoke. It’s essential to follow the recommended temperature and cooking times and adjust them based on your air fryer’s performance. I always air-fry bacon at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 7 – 10 minutes for regular bacon and 10 – 12 minutes for thick-cut bacon.
4. Keep a close eye on your bacon while it’s cooking. If you notice excessive smoking, you can stop the air fryer briefly, remove the excess fat, and continue cooking.
5. A dirty or greasy air fryer can also produce smoke. Leftover residue from previous cooking sessions can contribute to smoking. Make sure your air fryer is clean and free of any debris before cooking bacon.

By following these tips and understanding why bacon smoking in the air fryer can be avoided, you can enjoy hassle-free, smoke-free bacon cooking in your air fryer.

Helpful tips

• I made this bacon in a tray type of air fryer and a basket air fryer. I mainly wanted the bacon to be done so I had less time cooking and photographing.
• Depending on the thickness of your bacon and personal preferences, you may need to adjust the cooking time. Experiment to find your perfect level of crispiness.
• Some air fryer models do not require preheating. Check your manufacturer’s instructions to see if this applies to your air fryer.
• Depending on how many bacon strips you want to cook and the size of your air fryer, you’ll most likely have to cook them in batches. I keep what I’ve already cooked warm in the oven at 200 degrees Fahrenheit as I’m cooking additional batches.
• I find that I need to flip the bacon slices a few times to get both sides to crisp nicely.
• Don’t discard that delicious bacon grease! Drain it from the basket and store it in a jar for later use in cooking other dishes, like fried eggs.
• Air frying bacon is mess-free compared to stove top cooking. Simply remove the basket and tray, wash them, and you’re done.

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How to make air fryer bacon

Pre-step

Get out your air fryer and paper towels to blot the grease off the cooked bacon.

step one

Gather the ingredient – bacon, as much as you desire. My package had 11 slices in it.

Step Two

Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step Three

Lay the bacon slices in a single layer without any slices either touching the other or barely touching.

Note: I can place five whole slices side by side for the air fryer with trays. For the basket type, I have to cut each piece in half so it only allows three slices to be cooked at once.

Tray type.

Basket type.

Step Four

After the air fryer beeps that it has come to temperature, turn the temperature down to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and set your timer to 10 minutes.

Step five

At 8 minutes, go into the kitchen to see how the bacon cooks. It needs a few more minutes to get to the right crispness. If it isn’t as crispy as you like, add one to two minutes to the cooking time. I also take the time to flip each slice with tongs.

After 10 minutes, remove the bacon with a pair of tongs to a paper towel-lined plate and blot the grease off the top of the meat with another paper towel.

Repeat the steps for as many batches as you like.

Serve immediately. It’s great for an egg breakfast, in sandwiches like BLTs, on chicken, or as a tasty enhancement to salads, casseroles, and other dishes.

Storing Leftover Bacon

If you happen to have leftover bacon (although it’s quite rare!), it’s essential to store it properly to maintain its flavor and texture. Here’s how to do it:

1. Allow the cooked bacon to cool to room temperature on a paper towel-lined plate or a wire rack. This step helps prevent condensation inside the storage container.
2. Once the bacon has cooled, wrap individual slices or a small stack of slices in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Make sure the wrapping is tight to minimize exposure to air, which can cause the bacon to become stale.
3. Another option is to place the wrapped bacon in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing the bag.
4. To keep track of when the bacon was cooked, label the container or bag with the date. Bacon can be stored for a short period, so it’s important to know when it should be used.
5. Store the wrapped bacon in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. If you don’t plan to use it within that time frame, consider freezing it. Bacon can be frozen for up to 1-2 months without significantly losing quality.
6. When you’re ready to use the leftover bacon, you can thaw it in the refrigerator overnight or use it directly from the freezer in cooked dishes like soups, stews, or casseroles.
7. Reheat the leftover bacon in the microwave, oven, or stovetop, but be cautious not to overheat it, as it can become too crispy or dry.

Remember that cooked bacon won’t retain the same crispiness as when freshly cooked, but it can still be a flavorful addition to various dishes or a quick snack.

I hope you enjoyed this air fryer bacon recipe.

Other recipes using bacon

• Bacon jam
• Corn dip
• Bacon wrapped scallops
• Bacon broccoli quiche

And as always, may all your dishes be delish!

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