The fastest, easiest way to make the crispiest bacon.
You know what they say: Everything’s better with bacon. And you know why they say it? Because it’s true. That crispy, crunchiness! That savory, salty, smoky taste. Bacon is just impossible to resist. And because it is so delicious, and because there is nothing else like it, we always go to all the trouble to make it.
Even though it splatters and spurts grease all over the stove, even though there’s all that bacon fat left in the pan to dispose of, we still must have our bacon. The thing is, there are so many occasions to eat bacon, but cooking it takes so much longer than thinking of all the ways to serve it. Enter the beauty of Air Fryer Bacon: there is virtually no prep and hardly any cleanup. Believe me when I tell you this will change your life!
Ok, maybe I’m being dramatic, but I know you bacon lovers will agree. Until now, every time I set out to make bacon, I had to remind myself of how much my family and I love it in order to motivate myself to suffer through the process of cooking it. And it requires so much love and care when flipping it; I can’t turn my back for even a second in case it burns. And now? Well now, I put the bacon in the air fryer, turn it on, wait 10 minutes, turn it off, and I have the most delicious bacon in the universe. Life changing.
Spontaneous desire for a BLT? No problem; this Air Fryer Bacon will be done before you’ve finished washing your lettuce and toasting your bread. Spinach salad? Air fry your bacon in minutes, crumble it, and sprinkle it on top of the salad just before you serve it. And, of course, air fry a batch or two to serve for breakfast alongside Sunny-Side Up Eggs and these yummy Breakfast Potatoes.
What’s the secret to perfectly air-fried bacon?
Air-frying bacon is the easiest and quickest way to perfectly crisp bacon every time. But even though it’s so simple, there are still some things to think about to make sure it comes out exactly the way you like it.
First, since there can be some smoke from the bacon fat, it’s a great idea to put the bacon on parchment paper in the basket. Next, check the thickness of your bacon–thicker strips will, of course, take a bit longer to cook. Also, different brands of air fryers cook somewhat differently so start out at 370°F for 8-10 minutes; if you find your bacon isn’t as done as you like, we recommend lowering the temp to 360°F and extending the time (but check it every minute or so). And, finally, remove your bacon from the air fryer with tongs and place it on some paper towels to absorb the excess fat.
FAQs & Tips
How do I prep and store the bacon?
While this bacon is best if you eat it as soon as you’ve cooked it, it can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and in the freezer for up to a month (thaw in the fridge before reheating). The best way to reheat bacon in order to return it to its ideal crispiness is in a hot frying pan on the stove: be sure to keep an eye on it!
Everybody in a single file!
Although the bacon will shrink during the air frying, it’s best not to overlap the slices in the basket. The single layer will ensure even cooking.
Do I have to flip the bacon halfway through?
You don’t. That’s the beauty of the air fryer technology: that swirling hot air will cook both sides perfectly without flipping!
Serving Suggestions
We know bacon is the perfect mate for eggs, but it’s also a great companion for sweet breakfasts like Homemade Buttermilk Pancakes or this delectable Streusel French Toast Casserole. And not only is this Air Fryer Bacon so easy to make, it can make lots of other recipes easier to make, too, like Chicken Bacon Cheddar Sandwiches or Mini Onion and Bacon Tarts or anything you are making that calls for cooked bacon. It’s also amazing inside this Grilled Cheese (with some sliced ripe tomato!).
In the spirit of Everything’s better with bacon…I love to crumble it over Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese, Potato Soup, my favorite: Val’s Corn Pudding. Oh my gosh, I could go on and on.
Air Fryer Bacon
Ingredients
- 4-5 slices of bacon
Instructions
- Lay the bacon slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. If needed, cut the slices in half to fit them in without overlapping.
- Set the air fryer to 370ºF and cook the bacon. Check for your preferred level of crispiness, usually 8-10 minutes.
- Carefully use tongs to transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess grease.
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