Air Fryer bacon is so easy to make and comes out perfectly crisp every time!
All of the flavor without the greasy splatter of frying bacon and clean up is a total breeze. Perfect for breakfast, salads or casseroles!
One of my favorite things to cook in my Air Fryer is bacon. It comes out perfect every time and it takes only a few minutes to make it!
Air Fryer Bacon
We love air fryer bacon because:
- it’s extra crisp and delicious
- no grease splatter
- it cooks quickly
- clean up is a breeze
- it’s bacon
How to Air Fry Bacon
Bacon in the air fryer is the easiest method of all! This works in a basket type air fryer or a Vortex oven style air fryer as well.
- Place bacon in a single layer in the basket (or in single layers on the racks if using a Vortex oven style).
- Cook bacon for 4 minutes. Flip bacon over (and if using a Vortex oven, switch the racks).
- Cook 4 minutes more or until crisp.
How Long to Air Fry Bacon
Regular bacon will need to cook for about 7-8 minutes in an air fryer at 390°F. Air Fryers can vary so make sure you check it early so it doesn’t burn.
If you like bacon more crisp, cook it longer. If you prefer it softer, take it out early.
Thicker bacon will need about 2 minutes longer. If you are cooking pre-cooked bacon, it will need about 3 minutes as it’s quite thin and already cooked.
How to Keep the Air Fryer from Smoking
When cooking bacon in the air fryer, it drips a bit of fat in the bottom. The drippings can sometimes smoke a little bit, especially if you are cooking more than one batch. Here are some ways to keep the air fryer from smoking.
- For a basket style air fryer, place a piece of bread under the basket. It will soak up the grease.
- Or add a little bit of water to the bottom of the air fryer.
- For an oven style air fryer, move the racks to the middle, this will keep grease from splattering on the element.
Try our perfect air fryer bacon in these recipes…
- LA Street Dog
- Mini Egg, Bacon, and Cheese Quiche (just swap bacon for ham!)
- Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Air Fryer Hot Pockets (just swap bacon for ham!)
- Mini Potato Skins
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Burgers
- Bacon Cauliflower Mac & Cheese
Perfect Air Fryer Bacon
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ pound bacon
- water optional
Instructions
- Preheat an air fryer to 390°F.
- Once preheated, pour a small amount of water into the bottom of the air fryer.
- Lay bacon in a single layer in the basket.
- Cook for 4 minutes and flip. Cook for another 3-4 minutes or until bacon reaches desired crispness.
Notes
- Air Fryers can vary so make sure you check the bacon early so it doesn't burn.
- If you like bacon more crisp, cook it longer. If you prefer it softer, take it out early.
- Thicker bacon will need about 2 minutes longer.
- Precooked bacon will need about 3 minutes as it's quite thin and already cooked.
- To keep the air fryer from smoking place a piece of bread under the basket. It will soak up the grease or add a little bit of water to the bottom of the air fryer.
- For an oven style air fryer, move the racks to the middle, this will keep grease from splattering on the element.
Nutrition
With the cost of bacon Skyrocketing, we bought a package of “ends & pieces.” My husband cooked some in the basket of our New Instant Vortex — perfection! He likes his almost still oinking, but I like super crispy. He cooked the bacon as he likes it, then I can pop a few pieces in the microwave for 2 minutes. We both get the bacon we love!!! :0)
Sounds perfect Margaret!
How to keep bacon from curling up in my vortex 3 quart air fryer
Hi Linda, if it’s curling because the bacon slices are too long for your air fryer you could try cutting them in half or to size to prevent them from curling up.
I bought a larger InstaVortex and although I cut my bacon in half it still curls up. Any suggestions?
Sorry to hear that, Sheila. We haven’t had that issue, but maybe another reader can offer some insight.
In my experience, some bacon curls due to a line of fat along the side of the strip. But it depends on the batch you get in the package. You can either cut it away, leaving meat on the outside or cut incisions along the length. Or just let it be. Cooks great regardless of shape.
these recipes do not work on my airfryer only have i level to cook on
You can still cook most items, it will just take longer. Bacon can be cooked in any air fryer!
I did mine for the first time on 400 degrees for 10 minutes on the middle rack. Perfect bacon!
Nice & crispy, exactly to my taste. I covered the tray with foil and easy-breezy cleanup.
My bacon turned out great. Crisp but not hard. The clean up was very easy.
Mine smoked up the whole house!
It can, especially with really fatty bacon. It pops up and smokes on the fan. Move the rack down lower to the middle or even the bottom.
Put a bit of water into the drip pan and it will help with this
Your picture shows the rack, not the basket…which one did you use?
You can cook bacon in any air fryer. Before I had the Vortex I had a Bella and it still made great bacon. For the Vortex I use a rack.
PERFECTION! Best bacon I’ve ever cooked and clean up is so EASY.
Glad you like it! Air Fryer bacon is the only way I cook it now!
This is so much easier and I don’t get splattered with greace. I added a little water per Amanda’s suggestion. Aluminum foil work’s great and easy to clean up.
Are you putting foil on the pan the bacon cooks on, or the bottom catch pan with water in it?
No I just use the drip pan. Discard (or keep!!!) the bacon grease. Rinse after use and throw in the dishwasher. Easy clean-up!