Name: Best Crispy Air Fryer Bacon
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 4 slices thick cut bacon

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Recipe Snapshot

PREP + COOK TIME: 20
METHOD: Air Fryer
OTHER TOOLS: Tongs
TOTAL INGREDIENTS: 1

Need some quick bacon on a busy morning? Air fryer bacon is the key! In under 20 minutes, you’ll have perfectly crispy, thick-cut bacon with minimal mess and excellent flavor.

What’s To Love About This Recipe

You might shock traditional cooks with this method, but the air fryer is one of the easiest, least messy ways to prepare the best strips of crispy bacon.
This method is perfect for early mornings, or anytime you just need a few slices of bacon for a recipe. It doesn’t leave a big greasy mess like using the microwave or stove, and it creates the best texture since the grease drips away from the bacon strips.
I’ve tested out many bacon cuts (thin bacon, center cut bacon, thick cut bacon), and the air fryer delivers the best overall flavor.
You will love that the air fryer cooks the bacon without it sitting in the grease. Just flip it once, and you’ll have strips with just the right amount of crunch in no time!

Ingredients Needed

For one batch in the air fryer, all you need is 4 slices of thick cut bacon!

My favorite brand is Wright Brand Thick Cut Bacon, which I can usually find at Walmart. I have found that this brand has the most consistent quality. I like the hickory-smoked variety for the most neutral flavor, but if you like the Applewood flavor, that works too!

Ultimately, any thick cut bacon will do. If you do choose a thin cut, adjust the cooking time so that it doesn’t burn.

How To Make Air Fryer Bacon

Lay strips of bacon in a single layer in the air fryer basket.

4 thick cut bacon slices in air fryer basket

Set the air fryer to 350 ℉ for 15 minutes.
Flip the bacon strips after 10 minutes.
When bacon has cooked to your preferred crispiness, remove it from the basket and place it on a paper towel to remove excess grease.

cutting board with 5 slices of bacon on parchement

Pro Tips

The bacon strips may not lay perfectly flat, but make sure that they are arranged in a single layer and leave room for air to circulate between the pieces. Depending on the size of your air fryer basket, you may wish to cut the slices in half for a better fit.
I used thick cut bacon, which yields the best overall results. Feel free to use what you prefer, but remember to adjust the cooking time (shorter time for thin cut bacon).
Flipping the bacon after 10 minutes or about 2/3 of the cooking time will ensure that it crisps up on both sides.
Use tongs to easily move bacon without the risk of burning your hands.
If your air fryer has this feature, add a bit of water to the bottom of the air fryer basket. This will help keep smoke from the bacon grease to a minimum.

How To Serve Air Fryer Bacon

Serve crispy strips of bacon with your favorite breakfast foods. Scramble some eggs or make homemade Skillet Biscuits and Gravy Casserole. Add a side of Breakfast Potatoes for a hearty breakfast or brunch that will fill you up!

You can also use the air fryer to quickly prep a few pieces of bacon when you need it for other recipes such as salads, baked potato toppings, or crumbled in a pasta dish.

white plate filled with bacon, scrambled eggs and breakfast potatoes

Storing and Reheating

Let the bacon cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. If you want to freeze, wrap it tightly in a few sheets of foil or seal it in freezer-safe bags, and keep it in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Let the bacon defrost to room temperature and reheat for just a few seconds in the microwave.

Best Crispy Air Fryer Bacon

Need some quick bacon on a busy morning? Air fryer bacon is the key! In under 20 minutes, you’ll have perfectly crispy, thick-cut bacon with minimal mess and excellent flavor.

Jennifer Draper

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 15

Total Time 20

Serving Size slices

Equipment

Air Fryer
tongs

Ingredients

4 slices thick cut bacon

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

Lay bacon strips in a single layer in air fryer basket
Set air fryer to 350 ℉ for 15 minutes
Flip bacon strips after 10 minutes
When bacon has cooked to your preferred crispiness, remove from basket and place on a paper towel to remove excess grease

Notes

Let it cool completely, then store it in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
If you use thin cut bacon, decrease the cooking time and cook until it reaches the desired crispiness.
Add a thin layer of water to the bottom of the basket to keep it from smoking.
Use tongs to move bacon easily without burning yourself.

Air Fryer Bacon FAQs

How long does it take to cook bacon in the air fryer? Thick cut bacon will cook in approximately 15 minutes in the air fryer. If you choose a thin or regular cut, it will cook a little faster. Times may vary based on air fryers and bacon thickness, so feel free to set the timer for a few minutes less and flip the bacon about ⅔ of the way through the cooking time.
Can you cook turkey bacon in the air fryer? Yes, cook turkey bacon with a similar method. Turkey bacon tends to have less fat and be thinly cut, so you will need to adjust the time accordingly and monitor for doneness.
Should the air fryer be preheated? There is no need to preheat the air fryer. Cook the bacon from a cold air fryer since the gradual increase in heat yields the best results.
How do I make sure my bacon gets crispy in the air fryer? To get crispy bacon, make sure the strips are not crowded in the basket, and don’t line the basket with foil or parchment paper. You can cook the bacon for an additional few minutes until it reaches your preferred level of crisp.