How to Make Perfectly Crispy Air-Fryer Bacon
Updated: Mar. 06, 2024
Save your pans, stovetop and sink from bacon grease by cooking this breakfast staple in an air fryer.
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Bacon lovers know that cooking bacon on the stovetop is a hassle. The hot oil sizzles and pops, spattering all over you as well as your stovetop, and cleanup afterward is no easy feat. You could bake bacon in the oven, but nothing is faster than air-fryer bacon.
In 10 minutes, an air fryer makes bacon that’s perfectly crispy on the edges and chewy on the inside. Once you know how to cook bacon in an air fryer, you’ll never go back!
How to Make Air-Fryer Bacon
Tools You’ll Need
- Air fryer: This Cosori air fryer is large enough for big batches but compact enough to fit on your countertop. It earned rave reviews from our Test Kitchen, too. Bonus: These are the best air-fryer accessories to go with it.
- Air fryer rack: Use a metal rack to elevate the bacon . (Just be sure the rack will fit in your air fryer before you purchase!)
- Kitchen tongs: Tongs with silicone tips are perfect for transferring bacon slices to and from the air fryer.
Psst: This is the best bacon, according to our Test Kitchen pros.
Directions
Step 1: Preheat the air fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. Arrange the bacon in a single layer on a rack in the air fryer basket. You may need to tear or bend the pieces of bacon to get them to fit.
Step 2: Cook the bacon
Air-fry bacon for 2 to 3 minutes. Flip each bacon slice with tongs, then continue air-frying for another 4 to 5 minutes.
Step 3: Serve the bacon
Once cooked to your desired doneness, carefully remove the bacon with kitchen tongs. Serve bacon with breakfast, in a BLT-inspired recipe or crumbled over a salad.
Tips for Making Air Fryer Bacon
Cook the bacon in batches
Depending on the size of your air fryer and how much bacon you’re cooking, you may need to air-fry in batches. Just be sure to wipe down the air fryer between batches to prevent smoking and clean the air fryer when you’re all done.
Add extra time to air-fry frozen bacon
You can cook frozen bacon in the air fryer, but it takes an extra 3 to 4 minutes. After the first 3 minutes, separate the slices, spread them out on the air fryer rack and cook as directed above.
Reheat leftover bacon at 375°F
Leftover cooked bacon lasts 4 to 5 days in the fridge or up to 4 months in the freezer. Store it in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. To reheat, place the bacon in an air fryer preheated to 375° and warm for about 5 minutes or until crispy.
Easy Air-Fryer Recipes for Beginners
Air-Fryer Chicken Tenders
I added all of the components of a loaded baked potato—cheddar, potato, bacon, sour cream and chives—to my air-fryer chicken tenders recipe. Every kid will love this quick and easy dish! —Cyndy Gerken, Naples, Florida
Here are some of our other air-fryer recipes that you need to try! 
Air-Fryer Potato ChipsFor Christmas one year, I received an air fryer. Potato chips are simple to make in it and are an essential, crispy side for lunch. —Melissa Obernesser, Oriskany, New York
Air-Fried Frozen Mozzarella Sticks
Ooey gooey, cheesy mozzarella sticks taste even better in an air fryer. To air fry frozen mozzarella sticks, preheat your air fryer to 350°F and then load the fryer with mozzarella sticks in a single layer once it's warmed up. Spray with cooking spray and cook for two minutes, flip and spray once more, then cook for another two to three minutes.
Buffalo BitesLow-carb cauliflower Buffalo bites cook up fast in the air fryer, making them an easy snack or side dish. I serve them with a flavorful dip made with cottage cheese that's packed with protein compared to most dips. My teenagers happily eat their veggies with this recipe. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
Air-Fried Frozen Salmon Fillets
Popping frozen salmon fillets into your air fryer makes for an easy and healthy weeknight dinner. Air-fry your fillets for five minutes at 320°F, then flip and cook for 360°F for another three to five minutes (or until the salmon flakes easily).
Air-Fryer Breaded ShrimpThese quick air-fryer shrimp are so good you won't even miss the fat! Eat them alone with cocktail sauce or put them on a salad or sandwich. —Rashanda Cobbins, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Air-Fryer Fish TacosThese crispy air-fryer fish tacos are good enough to challenge the best food truck. I love that the fish is deliciously guilt-free because it’s air-fried instead of deep-fried. —Lena Lim, Seattle, Washington
Air-Fried Frozen Meatballs
To turn a handful of frozen meatballs into a warm appetizer or snack, preheat your air fryer to 350°F. Cook for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway while cooking.
Air-Fryer Okra with Smoked PaprikaSmoked paprika gives this air-fryer okra even more roasty oomph. When you want to cook okra without frying it, roast it with lemon juice for a lighter version. —Lee Evans, Queen Creek, Arizona
Air-Fried Frozen Veggie Burgers
Crisp up one to two veggie burgers in your air fryer at a time. Cook at 350°F for five minutes, flip, then keep 'em cooking for another five minutes. Voila!
Air-Fryer AsparagusThis air-fryer asparagus recipe is packed with flavor, thanks to the lemon-garlic dressing that the spears are tossed in before roasting. It's a simple, quick side that goes with almost anything. —Tina Mirilovich, Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Air-Fried Frozen Egg Rolls
Give frozen egg rolls that tantalizing restaurant-quality flavor and crunch by cooking them in your air fryer. Before placing them in the fryer, brush each roll with beaten egg. Then, cook at 320°F for seven minutes, then flip, brush with egg wash and cook the other side for another seven minutes until they come out golden.
Frozen Breakfast Pastries
A pastry with a crispy, crunchy, tender, flaky crust can be ready in just eight minutes. To cook, cut a piece of parchment to fit the basket of your air fryer. Spray with cooking oil and place one or two frozen strudels in the basket. Cook for five minutes at 350°F, flip and then cook for an additional three minutes until golden.
Air-Fried Frozen Bread Dough
Yup, you can even make breads, like dinner rolls and cinnamon buns, in your air fryer! Just take out your frozen bread dough, shape it and then cook for 15 minutes.
Chili-Lime Air-Fried ChickpeasLooking for a lighter snack that's still a crowd-pleaser? You've found it! These air-fried chickpeas will have everyone happily munching. —Julie Ruble, Charlotte, North Carolina
Air-Fried Frozen Puff Pastry Bites
Prepare puff pastry bites for your next party by cutting a sheet of puff pastry into two-inch squares. Place a few tablespoons of your preferred filling on the puff pastry and then fold over into a triangle and pinch the edges closed. Then, bake them at 390°F for about 10 minutes.
Originally Published: June 22, 2021
