Want bacon that’s crispy, fast, and way less greasy than pan-fried? Making bacon in the air fryer is the way to go. It cooks evenly, stays flat, and cleans up way easier than stovetop splatter. I use this method more than any other now—especially when I just need a few strips and don’t feel like heating up the oven. Once you try this, you’ll never go back.
Updated May 2025 with new tips, variations, and step-by-step instructions for better air fryer bacon.
Jump to:
- Why This Recipe Is Fantastic
- Ingredients You’ll Need
- How to Make Air Fryer Bacon
- How to Cook Air Fryer Bacon (Frozen)
- Expert Tips
- Variations
- Serving Suggestions
- Pairings and Related Recipes
- FAQ
- More Common Questions
- Storage and Reheating
- Nutritional Information
- Kitchen Essentials and Items Used
- Related Recipes
- Perfectly Crispy Air Fryer Bacon
Why This Recipe Is Fantastic
- Cooks in less time than oven or skillet
- Comes out crisp and evenly cooked every time
- No grease splatter all over your stove
- Easier cleanup with parchment or foil
- Great for small or large batches
- Works with thick or regular-cut bacon
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 package of thick-cut bacon – I used thick-cut bacon from Aldi’s.
- Fresh Ground Black Pepper (If making black pepper bacon)
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Air Fryer Bacon
- Cut and Arrange the Bacon – Cut the bacon package in half using a pair of scissors to get perfectly sized bacon that easily fits into the air fryer basket. Lay the bacon in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Cook – Set the air fryer to 380°F and cook for 10 to 12 minutes,
3. Flip the Bacon – Flip the bacon halfway through the cooking time.
4. Drain – Transfer the bacon to paper towels or slices of bread to drain excess grease.
4. Serve and Enjoy!
How to Cook Air Fryer Bacon (Frozen)
- No Need to Thaw – You can cook bacon straight from frozen!
- Separate the Slices – If the bacon is stuck together, let it sit at room temperature for a couple of minutes or carefully pry apart with a knife.
- Cook at a Lower Temp First – Air fry at 300°F for 5 minutes to help defrost the bacon.
- Increase Temperature – Turn up to 380°F and cook for another 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Expert Tips
- Preheat your air fryer for consistent results
- Lay bacon strips in a single layer—don’t overlap
- For extra crispy bacon, use medium-thick slices and flip halfway
- Line the basket with foil or parchment for less mess (just not during preheat)
Variations
- Try pepper-crusted bacon for a kick
- Sprinkle with brown sugar before cooking for candied bacon
- Swap in turkey bacon or even plant-based bacon—just adjust the time
Serving Suggestions
- Stack it in a BLT or breakfast sandwich
- Crumble over salads or baked potatoes
- Pair with pancakes, eggs, or French toast
- Use as a crispy topping for mac and cheese
Pairings and Related Recipes
FAQ
Most bacon cooks in 8–10 minutes at 370°F. Thicker slices may need 11–12 minutes. Keep an eye on it for your perfect crisp.
Yes—preheating helps the bacon start cooking right away and crisp more evenly.
Yes, but don’t preheat with parchment in the basket. Place it under the bacon just before cooking to avoid grease sticking.
Yes, and it often comes out even crispier than pan-fried since the air circulates all around.
More Common Questions
You can, but it takes longer and requires separating the slices partway through. Expect 14–16 minutes total time.
It may be slightly healthier since excess grease drips off into the basket, and you’re not frying in pooled oil.
Not usually—cook in batches to avoid overlapping, or the strips won’t crisp properly.
It’s not strictly necessary, but flipping halfway helps get both sides evenly crisp.
Storage and Reheating
Let bacon cool completely before storing. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
To reheat:
- Air fryer: 350°F for 2–3 minutes
- Microwave: 20–30 seconds between paper towels
- Skillet: Reheat on low to medium heat until warm and crispy again
Nutritional Information
Estimated per 2 slices of regular bacon:
- Calories: 80–100
- Fat: 7g
- Protein: 5g
- Carbs: 0g
- Sodium: 350–400mg
(Values will vary based on brand and thickness)
Kitchen Essentials and Items Used
COSORI Air Fryer 9-in-1, Compact & Large 6-Qt
365 by Whole Foods Market, Applewood Smoked Thick Uncured Bacon, 16 oz
Air Fryer Parchment Paper Liners
Once you try making bacon in the air fryer, you may never go back to the stovetop. It’s quick, easy, and gives you crispy bacon every time with less mess. If you loved this recipe, check out more of my air fryer favorites and let me know in the comments how your bacon turned out!
If you make this recipe, tag me on social media and use #StuffMattyCooks so I can see your delicious creations!
Related Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Perfectly Crispy Air Fryer Bacon
Ingredients
- 1 package of thick-cut bacon I used thick-cut bacon from Aldi’s
Instructions
- Cut the bacon package in half using a pair of scissors to get perfectly sized bacon that easily fits into the air fryer basket.
- Place the bacon slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Set the air fryer to 380°F and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Once done, transfer the bacon to paper towels or slices of bread to drain excess grease.
- Serve and enjoy!
