Air Fryer Bacon Recipe for Busy Parents

Picture this: It’s a busy weekday morning, and the kids are clamoring for breakfast. You love making them happy with a hearty meal, but you don’t have time for grease splatters or hovering over the stove. I’ve been there!

That’s exactly why I started cooking air fryer bacon – and let me tell you, it’s been a game-changer. With this method, I can whip up perfectly crispy bacon in minutes while getting everyone ready for the day.

As a busy parent, appliances like the air fryer (along with my Instant Pot and Crock Pot) are lifesavers in my kitchen. I rotate through my favorite easy air fryer recipes on hectic days, and this bacon is one I return to again and again. It delivers big flavor and crunch with minimal effort – exactly what we need when time is short.

Whether it’s a quick family breakfast before school or breakfast-for-dinner on a crazy weeknight, air fryer bacon comes out consistently crispy, mess-free, and absolutely irresistible. Even my picky eater cheers when she sees bacon on her plates (yes, it’s that kid-friendly!).

In this post, I’ll share all my tips from experience to help you get the best bacon ever, without the fuss. Let’s dive in!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick & Easy: From start to finish, air fryer bacon takes about 10 minutes. Perfect for busy mornings or when you need a speedy addition to dinner. It’s truly a hero for quick and easy dinner recipes or breakfast anytime.

• Less Mess: No more greasy stovetop splatters or standing over a frying pan. The air fryer contains the mess, and excess fat drips away – meaning minimal cleanup for you.

• Perfectly Crispy: You’ll get crispy bacon every time without burning, thanks to the even heat of the air fryer. Each slice cooks uniformly, so no half-raw, half-burnt pieces here!

• Hands-Off & Convenient: Once it’s in the air fryer, you’re free to prep something else (like eggs or pancake batter) or tend to the kids. It’s mostly set-it-and-forget-it.

• Kid-Friendly: Let’s face it, bacon is a hit with the whole family. This recipe is one of those go-to kid-friendly recipes in my house — the kids love it, and I love how easy it is to make.

Ingredients

You only need one ingredient for this recipe (how awesome is that?):

• Bacon – About 1 pound of bacon, which is roughly 8-12 strips depending on thickness. Use your favorite kind: regular or thick-cut pork bacon works great. Thick-cut bacon will yield meatier, chewier pieces (just add a minute or two of cook time), while thin-cut bacon gets ultra crisp.
  You can even use turkey bacon or plant-based bacon alternatives if you prefer – just be aware you may need to adjust the cooking time (turkey bacon, for example, often cooks a bit faster and won’t render as much fat).

Tip: For the best results, start with cold bacon straight from the fridge. Also, pat the bacon dry with paper towels if it’s very moist from the packaging – removing excess moisture can help it crisp up better.

(No other ingredients needed – the bacon will cook in its own fat, so you don’t even need oil or seasoning unless you want to get creative!)

How to Make Air Fryer Bacon (Step-by-Step Instructions)

Making bacon in the air fryer is incredibly simple. Here’s how to do it, step by step:

1. Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes. A hot air fryer ensures the bacon starts crisping up immediately. (If your model doesn’t require preheating, you can skip this step, but I like to preheat for the crispiest results.)

2. Arrange the Bacon

While the air fryer is preheating, lay out the bacon slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket or tray. Do not overlap the strips – each piece should have its own space. If you have more bacon than fits in one layer (common for a big family breakfast!), cook it in batches. Overcrowding will lead to chewy spots instead of that perfect crisp.

3. Air Fry until Crispy

Slide the basket into the preheated air fryer. Cook the bacon at 400°F for 8 to 10 minutes, or until it reaches your desired level of crispiness. About halfway through cooking (around the 4-5 minute mark), pull out the basket and flip each bacon slice using tongs.

Flipping helps the bacon cook evenly on both sides. (If your air fryer circulates heat really well, you might not need to flip, but I find flipping gives the best, evenly crispy bacon.)

Keep an eye on the bacon in the last few minutes – if you like it just lightly crispy, it might be done closer to 8 minutes, whereas extra crispy bacon may need the full 10 (or a touch more for very thick-cut bacon).

4. Drain and Serve

When the bacon is done to your liking, carefully remove the slices with tongs and place them on a plate lined with paper towels. The paper towels will soak up any excess grease.

Allow the bacon to cool for a minute or two – it will crisp up a tad more as it cools, and this also prevents any burns from piping hot grease. Now serve and enjoy your delicious air-fried bacon!

That’s it! In just a few easy steps, you’ve got bacon that’s crispy on the outside, slightly chewy on the inside, and absolutely scrumptious. No need to babysit a skillet or deal with grease popping everywhere. Once you try air fryer bacon, you may never go back to the old method – I know I haven’t!

Tips for Perfectly Crispy Bacon

Follow these handy tips to ensure your bacon comes out perfect every time:

• Preheat for Success: Don’t skip preheating the air fryer. Starting with a hot air fryer helps your bacon cook evenly and get crispy from the get-go. If you toss bacon into a cold air fryer, it may cook less evenly and take longer to crisp up.

• Single Layer Only: Crowding is the enemy of crispiness. Lay the bacon in a single layer with a little space between each strip. If you overlap pieces, they’ll steam and stay soft where they touch. For lots of bacon, just cook in batches — the results are worth the extra round. (Keep the first batch warm on a plate in a low oven if needed while you cook the rest.)

• Flip for Even Crisping: I recommend flipping the bacon halfway through cooking. While some recipes claim you don’t need to flip, I’ve found that flipping really does yield the most evenly golden, crispy bacon on both sides. It only takes a few seconds with tongs, and it’s well worth it.

• Keep an Eye Out: The first time you make bacon in your air fryer, keep an eye on it, especially towards the end of the cook time. Air fryers can vary in how hot they run. Your bacon might cook faster or need a bit longer than the average time. Checking on it prevents any surprises (like bacon getting too dark). Once you know how your machine behaves, you can be more hands-off.

• Adjust for Thickness: Cooking time isn’t one-size-fits-all. Thicker bacon slices will need a minute or two more to get crispy, whereas thinner slices (or bacon ends and pieces) might cook quicker.
  
  Similarly, turkey bacon usually cooks faster (and won’t get quite as dark), so start checking it a couple minutes earlier. If trying any sugar-cured or maple bacon, note that the sugar can make it brown faster or even burn if overcooked – so reduce the temperature to 370°F and watch closely.

• Prevent Smoke: Occasionally, cooking bacon (which is fatty) can cause your air fryer to smoke a bit as the grease drips and sizzles. Don’t panic!
  
  To minimize smoke, you can add a tablespoon or two of water to the bottom of the air fryer drawer before cooking. The water will catch and cool the dripping fat.
  
  Alternatively, place a slice of bread under the basket (in the drawer) to soak up grease. Also, make sure to pour out any grease from the drip tray between batches. Keeping your air fryer clean will prevent that burnt oil smell and smoke.

• Safety First: When handling bacon grease, be careful – it’s very hot. Use tongs to remove bacon, and let the fryer basket cool down before you dump out the grease.
  
  I like to line my drip tray with aluminum foil for easier cleanup, but check your manual to ensure that’s okay for your model. And of course, keep the air fryer away from little hands while it’s in operation since it can get hot on the outside.

By following these tips, you’ll get crispy, tasty bacon every time, with zero hassle. It’s practically foolproof!

Serving Suggestions

One of the great things about having bacon ready in a snap is all the delicious ways you can serve it. Here are some ideas to enjoy your air fryer bacon (beyond just eating it straight, which is totally okay too!):

• Classic Breakfast: Serve your crispy bacon alongside scrambled eggs, omelets, or over-hard eggs and a stack of pancakes or waffles. It’s a breakfast staple that makes any morning feel special.
  
  You can even tuck the bacon into breakfast sandwiches or burritos. (Busy morning tip: pair the bacon with an easy make-ahead dish like an egg casserole or some air fryer hard-boiled eggs for a quick, protein-packed start to the day.)

• Breakfast-for-Dinner: Craving breakfast at night? You’re not alone! We often do “brinner” on hectic evenings. I’ll whip up bacon in the air fryer, make some toast or English muffins, and maybe a quick side of air fryer sweet potato fries or air fryer fries. The combo of salty bacon and crispy fries is always a hit with the kids. Add a bowl of fruit or some roasted air fryer broccoli on the side to round it out (and get a veggie in there). It’s a fun, quick and easy dinner idea when I’m too tired to do something elaborate.

• Sandwiches & Burgers: Bacon makes everything better, especially sandwiches! Use your air-fried bacon to build the ultimate BLT (bacon, lettuce, tomato) sandwich for lunch. It adds a satisfying crunch and smoky flavor. You can also layer bacon onto burgers or chicken sandwiches.
  
  Try it on an air fryer whole chicken sandwich or wrap for extra indulgence. The best part: since the bacon is cooked hands-free, you can focus on assembling the rest of the meal.

• Salads & Soups: Elevate lighter meals by adding chopped crispy bacon. Sprinkle bacon bits over a green salad (think Cobb salad or a simple garden salad) to instantly upgrade it.
  
  Bacon crumbles are fantastic on a Caesar salad instead of croutons, bringing that smoky crunch. They’re also delicious on soups – try topping a creamy potato soup or corn chowder with bacon and a dollop of sour cream. It’s an easy way to entice the kids to eat their veggies when there’s bacon on top!

• Side Dishes & Veggies: Bacon isn’t just for breakfast – it can be a flavorful side all on its own or mixed with other sides. I love pairing it with air fryer asparagus or Brussels sprouts; just crumble the bacon on the veggies after both are cooked for a savory twist.
  
  You can also wrap bacon around asparagus spears and air fry for a delicious appetizer (hello, bacon-wrapped asparagus!).
  
  Another idea: serve a plate of bacon next to some air fryer steak bites or a hearty salad for a simple low-carb meal.

In short, air fryer bacon is incredibly versatile. It goes with just about everything – from traditional breakfast dishes to salads, sandwiches, and beyond. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself making a batch to go with all your meals. (Pro tip: Make extra bacon and store it for later – see the FAQs below on how to store and reheat. You’ll then have cooked bacon ready to use anytime!)

Air Fryer Bacon Recipe FAQs

Cooking bacon in an air fryer might spark a few questions, especially if you’re new to this method. Here I’ve answered some common questions to help you out:

How long do you cook bacon in the air fryer?

It depends on the thickness of your bacon and how crispy you like it. For regular-cut pork bacon, about 8-10 minutes at 400°F usually does the trick for nicely crispy pieces. Thicker bacon may need 10-12 minutes. I recommend checking around the 8-minute mark the first time you try it, to gauge.

Remember, air fryers can vary a bit, so slight timing adjustments might be needed for your specific machine. Once you know your perfect timing, you can set it and trust that you’ll get perfect bacon every time.

Do I need to preheat the air fryer?

Preheating is recommended for the best results, because it helps the bacon start cooking and crisping up immediately. In my experience, preheating leads to more evenly cooked bacon. If you’re in a huge rush and skip preheating, just add a minute or two to your cook time and be extra watchful near the end.

Some newer air fryer models claim to need no preheat, so follow your manufacturer’s instructions. But generally, a brief preheat makes a difference for crispy bacon.

Should I flip the bacon while air frying?

I suggest flipping the bacon halfway through cooking. Technically, an air fryer circulates hot air around the food, so it can cook both sides. However, flipping ensures every strip gets evenly crisp on both sides, especially if your bacon is very fatty on one side. The extra step is worth it for uniform texture.

That said, if you forget to flip, don’t worry – your bacon will still cook. It might just be a little less crisp on the top side. Over time, you’ll figure out what works best in your particular air fryer model.

Can I cook frozen bacon in the air fryer?

Yes, you can – talk about a time-saver for those mornings you forgot to thaw breakfast! Cooking bacon straight from frozen is possible in the air fryer, though it works best with individual slices frozen flat.

Here’s what to do: preheat the air fryer, then lay the frozen bacon in a single layer (you may need to pry apart slices if they’re stuck together). Add a couple extra minutes to the cook time. After about 3-4 minutes, as the bacon starts to thaw and soften, separate the strips if you haven’t already, so they can cook evenly. Then continue air frying until crispy.

In total, frozen bacon might take around 10-12 minutes. Keep a close eye on it, since once it’s thawed, it cooks quickly. The result is nearly as good as fresh-thawed bacon. Still, if you have the time, thawing bacon first (even in the microwave for a short burst) can make the process more even.

Why is my air fryer smoking when cooking bacon?

Bacon is quite fatty, and as the fat drips into the hot air fryer pan, it can sometimes cause smoke. A little wisp of smoke is normal, but if you see a lot of smoke, try these fixes:

1. Pour a tablespoon or two of water into the bottom of the air fryer drawer before cooking. The water will cool and catch the grease, preventing it from smoking.
2. Alternatively, place a piece of bread in the bottom of the basket (under the bacon or below the rack) to soak up the dripping fat. The bread acts like a sponge and greatly reduces smoke.
3. Make sure you clean the air fryer in between batches. Grease residue from previous cooking can heat up and smoke, so give the basket and drip tray a quick wipe (carefully, and only when cooled) if you’re doing multiple rounds of bacon.

Using these tricks, I rarely have smoke issues anymore. And always cook bacon in a well-ventilated area (near your kitchen vent or window) just in case.

How do I store and reheat leftover bacon?

If you somehow don’t polish off all the bacon (impressive self-control!), you can save it for later. Let the bacon cool, then store it in an airtight container or zip-top bag in the refrigerator. It will stay good for about 3-4 days.

To reheat, the air fryer is actually fantastic: just preheat to 350°F and air fry the cooked bacon for 2-3 minutes. It will crisp right back up! You can also quickly warm bacon in the microwave (about 20-30 seconds between paper towels), but it won’t be as crispy. Having ready-to-go bacon in the fridge is awesome for throwing into salads, sandwiches, or quick breakfasts, so I often make extra.

(P.S. You can also freeze cooked bacon for 1-2 months. Reheat straight from frozen in the air fryer at 370°F for a few minutes, checking often.)

Can I air fry turkey bacon or meatless bacon?

Absolutely! Turkey bacon cooks up well in the air fryer and tends to need a shorter cook time since it’s leaner and usually thinner. I’d start checking turkey bacon at around 5 minutes at 400°F – it might need 6-8 minutes total depending on thickness and how crisp you like it. It won’t get quite as dark as pork bacon, but it will get nicely crisp.

For plant-based or meatless bacon (soy-based strips, etc.), follow the package instructions as a guide, but the air fryer should cook them quickly – likely in 4-6 minutes since those are often very thin. Always keep an eye because non-pork bacon can scorch faster. The air fryer is a great way to cook these alternatives because they come out dry and crispy rather than soggy (which can happen in a pan).

So feel free to use this method for any bacon you love!

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes

If you love this simple air fryer bacon, you’ll definitely want to try these other easy air fryer recipes for quick family meals and snacks. They’re perfect for busy parents who want delicious food without the fuss:

• Air Fryer Chicken Wings – Crispy, restaurant-style wings in minutes, no deep fryer needed. Great for game nights or an after-school treat.
• Air Fryer Salmon – A healthy dinner that’s ready fast. The salmon gets a perfect flaky texture and it’s so flavorful with minimal seasoning.
• Air Fryer Steak – Yes, you can make a juicy steak in the air fryer! It’s an easy way to enjoy a steak dinner on a weeknight.
• Air Fryer Steak Bites – Bite-sized pieces of steak cooked to perfection and often tossed in garlic butter. These make a fantastic quick dinner or protein for salads.
• Air Fryer Whole Chicken – An entire roast chicken cooked in the air fryer! It turns out golden and tender, and it’s simpler (and faster) than oven roasting.
• Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks – Family-friendly drumsticks with crispy skin and juicy meat. A hit with kids! (For a flavorful twist, try Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks coated in your favorite barbecue sauce.)
• Air Fryer Asparagus – A healthy side dish that roasts up beautifully in the air fryer. It’s a great way to get veggies on the table fast.
• Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries – Sweet and salty perfection, these fries are a nutritious alternative to regular fries and cook up with a nice crisp in the air fryer.

These are just a few of the many recipes that our family enjoys. The air fryer has proven to be a versatile tool for creating quick and easy dinners, tasty snacks, and even vegetables that the kids will actually eat! For more inspiration, don’t forget to check out our collections of Instant Pot recipes and Crock Pot recipes as well – they’re perfect for busy days when you need hands-off cooking.

And if you’re in the mood for something homey on a weekend, our Dutch oven recipes bring that slow-cooked comfort to your table.

Happy cooking! I hope this guide helps you make the most perfectly crispy bacon with zero hassle. Once you try air fryer bacon, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without this trick. It’s a total breakfast (and dinner) game-changer for busy parents. Enjoy every crispy bite, and be sure to share this recipe with fellow bacon lovers!

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