Can Bacon Go in Air Fryer? Cooking Tips & Tricks

Introduction

Bacon has earned its place as one of the most beloved foods in the kitchen. It’s crispy, salty, savory, and incredibly versatile. If you’ve recently purchased an air fryer, you might be wondering: Can Bacon Go in Air Fryer? The answer is a resounding yes — and once you try it, you may never go back to the stovetop method again.

Air fryers work by circulating hot air around food at high speed, which creates a crispy exterior while keeping the inside tender. This makes them perfect for bacon. In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about cooking bacon in an air fryer, including timing, temperature, tips, and common mistakes to avoid.

Table of Contents

• Can Bacon Go in Air Fryer? The Short Answer
• Why Air Fryer Bacon Works So Well
• Choosing the Right Bacon for Air Frying
• How to Cook Bacon in an Air Fryer
• Air Fryer Bacon Temperature Guide
• Air Fryer vs. Oven vs. Stovetop
• Tips and Best Practices
• How to Prevent Smoke and Splatter
• What to Do with Bacon Grease
• Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Bacon-Related Dishes for Your Air Fryer
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Conclusion

Can Bacon Go in Air Fryer? The Short Answer

Yes, bacon can absolutely go in an air fryer. In fact, the air fryer is one of the best ways to cook bacon. It produces crispy, evenly cooked strips in about 8 to 12 minutes, depending on the thickness of the bacon and your preferred level of doneness.

Unlike frying bacon in a skillet, the air fryer requires no added oil. The bacon renders its own fat as it cooks, which means you get a healthier result with less mess. Plus, since the bacon sits on a perforated basket or tray, the excess grease drips away from the meat, leaving you with perfectly crisp strips every time.

So if you’ve been holding back because you weren’t sure, let this be your answer: fire up that air fryer and get ready for some of the best bacon you’ve ever made.

Why Air Fryer Bacon Works So Well

Air fryers might seem like a modern kitchen gadget, but the science behind them is simple: rapid air circulation. The hot air moves around the food from all angles, cooking it evenly and quickly. Here’s why that works so well for bacon.

First, the circulating air helps render the fat more evenly. When you cook bacon in a skillet, some parts may cook faster than others, leading to uneven crispiness. In an air fryer, the heat is distributed uniformly, so every strip cooks at the same rate.

Second, the raised basket or tray allows grease to drip away from the bacon as it renders. This prevents the bacon from sitting in its own fat, which can lead to a soggy texture. The result is bacon that’s remarkably crispy on the outside while still having a nice bite to it.

Third, air frying is fast. Most bacon cooks in under 12 minutes, and you don’t need to watch it as carefully as you would with a stovetop skillet. You can set the timer and walk away while it cooks.

Finally, cleanup is a breeze. No grease splatters all over your stovetop, no burned-on residue at the bottom of a pan. Just remove the basket, let it cool, and wipe it clean.

Choosing the Right Bacon for Air Frying

Not all bacon is created equal, and the type you choose can affect the outcome in your air fryer. Here’s what you need to know.

Regular vs. Thick-Cut Bacon

Regular-cut bacon is the standard thickness you’ll find in most grocery stores. It cooks quickly in the air fryer and gets very crispy. If you like your bacon crunchy, this is the way to go.

Thick-cut bacon takes a bit longer to cook but gives you a meatier, chewier result. It holds up well in the air fryer and is less likely to become overly crispy or brittle. If you’re using thick-cut bacon, add an extra 2 to 3 minutes to your cooking time.

I recommend starting with regular-cut bacon when you’re new to air frying. Once you get the hang of the timing, feel free to experiment with thick-cut varieties.

Turkey Bacon vs. Pork Bacon

Turkey bacon is a leaner alternative that also works in the air fryer. Because it has less fat, it cooks faster and won’t get as crispy as pork bacon. It’s a good option if you’re watching your calorie intake, but be aware that the texture and flavor are different.

Pork bacon is the classic choice and produces the best results in an air fryer. The higher fat content helps it crisp up beautifully and gives it that rich, smoky flavor we all know and love.

You can also find specialty bacon like applewood-smoked, maple-glazed, or peppered bacon. These work fine in the air fryer too — just keep an eye on them since some varieties with added sugar may brown more quickly.

How to Cook Bacon in an Air Fryer

Cooking bacon in an air fryer is incredibly simple. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat your air fryer. Set it to 375°F (190°C) and let it heat up for about 3 minutes. Preheating isn’t strictly necessary, but it helps the bacon start cooking immediately and can improve the final texture.
2. Arrange the bacon in the basket. Lay the strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket. You can place them side by side, but make sure they don’t overlap. If you’re cooking more bacon than fits in one layer, cook it in batches.
3. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes. For regular-cut bacon, start with 8 minutes. For thick-cut bacon, start with 10 minutes. You can always add more time if you want it crispier.
4. Flip the bacon halfway through. At the 4- or 5-minute mark, use tongs to flip the strips. This ensures even cooking on both sides.
5. Check for doneness. When the timer goes off, check the bacon. If it’s not as crispy as you’d like, continue cooking in 1-minute increments.
6. Remove and drain. Use tongs to transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels. The paper towels will absorb any excess grease.

How Long to Cook Bacon in an Air Fryer

Here’s a quick reference for cooking times at 375°F (190°C):

• Regular-cut bacon: 8 to 10 minutes for crispy, 6 to 8 minutes for chewy.
• Thick-cut bacon: 10 to 12 minutes for crispy, 8 to 10 minutes for chewy.
• Turkey bacon: 6 to 8 minutes for crispy, 5 to 6 minutes for chewy.

Keep in mind that all air fryers are slightly different. Some run hotter or cooler than others, so you may need to adjust the cooking time the first few times you make bacon. Start with the lower end of the range and add time as needed.

Air Fryer Bacon Temperature Guide

The ideal temperature for cooking bacon in an air fryer is between 350°F and 400°F (175°C to 200°C). Here’s a breakdown:

• 350°F (175°C): Lower temperature, gentler cooking. Good if you prefer chewy bacon or if you’re cooking thick-cut slices. Takes a bit longer, around 12 to 15 minutes.
• 375°F (190°C): The sweet spot. This temperature produces crispy bacon in 8 to 12 minutes without burning. It’s the most commonly recommended temperature for air fryer bacon.
• 400°F (200°C): High heat for extra-crispy bacon. Works well, but watch closely to prevent burning. Cooking time is around 6 to 10 minutes.

I recommend starting at 375°F for most types of bacon. It’s a forgiving temperature that gives you great results without too much hands-on attention.

Air Fryer vs. Oven vs. Stovetop

How does air fryer bacon compare to other cooking methods? Here’s a quick comparison:

As you can see, the air fryer offers an excellent balance of speed, crispiness, and convenience. It’s faster than the oven and less messy than the stovetop, making it a fantastic choice for cooking bacon.

Tips and Best Practices

To get the most out of your air fryer bacon, keep these tips in mind:

• Don’t overlap the strips. Overlapping bacon in the basket prevents even cooking. If you need to cook a lot of bacon, do it in batches.
• Use a meat thermometer. If you want to be precise, bacon is safe to eat at 145°F (63°C), but most people prefer it cooked until crispy, which means a higher internal temperature and a longer cook time.
• Pat the bacon dry before cooking. If your bacon is particularly moist, pat it dry with a paper towel before placing it in the air fryer. This helps it crisp up faster.
• Flip halfway through. This simple step makes a big difference in how evenly the bacon cooks.
• Check often near the end. Bacon can go from perfectly crispy to burnt quickly, especially in the last few minutes. Check it every minute or two once you approach the end of the cooking time.
• Don’t add oil. Bacon has plenty of its own fat. Adding oil will only make it greasy and can cause smoke.
• Cook similar thicknesses together. If you’re cooking bacon from the same package, you’re good. But if you’re mixing thick-cut and regular-cut, cook them separately to avoid uneven results.

How to Prevent Smoke and Splatter

One of the most common complaints about cooking bacon in an air fryer is smoke. The rendered fat can drip to the bottom of the air fryer and start smoking, especially at higher temperatures. Here’s how to prevent that.

Add a little water to the bottom of the basket. Before you start cooking, add about 1 to 2 tablespoons of water to the bottom of the air fryer basket. This helps reduce smoke by keeping the dripping fat from burning. The water mixes with the grease and prevents it from smoking.

Drain the grease halfway through. If you’re cooking a lot of bacon, the grease can accumulate in the bottom of the air fryer. Pause the cooking halfway through and carefully pour out the excess grease. Be careful — the grease is hot!

Use a lower temperature. Cooking at 350°F instead of 400°F reduces the chance of smoke. It takes a couple of extra minutes, but it’s worth it if smoke is an issue in your kitchen.

Place a slice of bread underneath the basket. Some air fryer enthusiasts swear by placing a slice of bread in the drawer below the basket to absorb the grease and reduce smoke. It’s a neat trick that also gives you a tasty piece of toast.

As for splatter, the air fryer naturally contains most of the mess. You won’t get grease splatters on your stovetop like you would with a skillet. Just be careful when removing the basket — the hot grease can splash.

What to Do with Bacon Grease

After cooking bacon in the air fryer, you’ll be left with a significant amount of rendered bacon fat. Don’t throw it away! Bacon grease is a valuable cooking ingredient that adds incredible flavor to a variety of dishes.

Once the grease has cooled slightly, strain it through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove any small bacon bits. Store it in a glass jar with a lid and keep it in the refrigerator. It will solidify and can be kept for several weeks.

Here are some ways to use bacon grease:

• Frying eggs or potatoes: Replace butter or oil with a spoonful of bacon grease for a smoky flavor boost.
• Roasting vegetables: Toss Brussels sprouts, green beans, or asparagus in bacon grease before roasting.
• Making cornbread or biscuits: Bacon grease adds a delicious savory flavor to baked goods.
• Flavoring soups and stews: A spoonful of bacon grease can add depth to beans, chilis, and hearty soups.
• Popcorn: Drizzle a little bacon grease over freshly popped popcorn for an indulgent snack.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced cooks can make mistakes when cooking bacon in an air fryer. Here are the most common ones and how to avoid them.

Overcrowding the basket. This is the number one mistake. When you pile too many strips into the basket, the bacon steams instead of crisping. Always leave space between strips for air to circulate.

Setting the temperature too high. Cranking the heat to 450°F might seem like a good idea for quick bacon, but it will likely cause the bacon to burn on the outside while remaining undercooked on the inside. Stick to 375°F for the best results.

Not flipping the bacon. The bacon on the bottom side can cook differently than the top. Flipping halfway ensures both sides get equal exposure to the hot air.

Forgetting about the grease. Grease accumulates quickly in the air fryer. If you don’t empty it during long cooking sessions, it can start smoking and even cause the air fryer to malfunction.

Using wet or marinated bacon. Some flavored bacons have a wet glaze or marinade that can cause excess smoke and sticking. If you’re using a flavored bacon, check it frequently and consider lowering the temperature slightly.

Not cleaning the air fryer after use. Bacon grease can harden and become difficult to remove if you leave it sitting. Clean the basket and drawer as soon as they’ve cooled enough to handle.

Bacon-Related Dishes for Your Air Fryer

Once you’ve mastered basic air fryer bacon, you can try some delicious bacon-inspired recipes.

Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers

These are a crowd favorite and incredibly easy to make in an air fryer. Cut jalapeños