Air-Fryer Bacon

By Eleanore Park

Updated Jan. 4, 2023

Air-Fryer Bacon
Julia Gartland for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Barrett Washburne.
Total Time
15 minutes
Rating
4(313)
Comments
Read comments

Bacon crisps up in the air fryer in a fraction of the time it would need on the stovetop or in the oven — and air-fryer bacon is ideal for a quick, solo breakfast, or when you need just a small batch. (If you’re cooking bacon for a crowd, we’ve still got you covered with our oven bacon recipe.) Cooking bacon in the air fryer results in extracrisp slices, since the excess bacon fat drains as the bacon cooks. The quantity of bacon here will depend on the size of your air fryer basket (or really, how hungry you are) and won’t affect the time or temperature called out below. To add to this recipe’s convenience, you can even start with frozen bacon without needing to adjust the cook time or temperature.

  • or to save this recipe.

  • Subscriber benefit: give recipes to anyone
    As a subscriber, you have 10 gift recipes to give each month. Anyone can view them - even nonsubscribers. Learn more.
    Subscribe

  • Print Options

Advertisement

Ingredients

Yield:4 to 6 slices
  • 4 to 6bacon slices, depending on size of air fryer basket
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (5 servings)

61 calories; 4 grams fat; 1 gram saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 2 grams monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 0 grams carbohydrates; 0 grams dietary fiber; 0 grams sugars; 5 grams protein; 20 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Powered by
Cooking Newsletter illustration

Opt out or contact us anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

Opt out or contact us anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat air fryer to 400 degrees, if preheating is recommended for your air fryer.

  2. Step 2

    If working with a smaller air fryer basket, cut bacon strips in half crosswise so the bacon can fit comfortably without any overhang. Arrange the bacon flat in a single layer.

  3. Step 3

    Cook until the bacon is browned and starts to ripple (or to desired doneness), about 8 minutes, flipping the bacon halfway through. The cook time may vary, depending on the thickness of your bacon and your desired crispiness. Cook the bacon for 1 to 2 more minutes, if using thicker bacon or if you like your bacon on the crispier side.

  4. Step 4

    Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain, if needed.

Ratings

4 out of 5
313 user ratings
Your rating

or to rate this recipe.

Have you cooked this?

or to mark this recipe as cooked.

Private Notes

Leave a Private Comment on this recipe and see it here.

Comments

Dave Drum

I use my microwave for cooking bacon crispy with little fuss. 4 minutes at full power for thin sliced bacon and 5 minutes for thick sliced. Be sure to cover the bacon with old newspaper or paper towel to prevent sptters from making a mess of the microwave sompartment.

Paul Banas

I tried it using a tray below to catch the drips. It wasn’t great and I won’t do again. Given the time and mess (basket and tray), oven-cooked bacon works better for me.

Judy Moss

I was a devotee of microwave bacon until a few months ago when i tried it in the air fryer. I was hooked and will never go back. Quick tip...for easier cleanup (if you don't save the grease), put a little water in the basket.

Elizabeth

@Emma H I'm curious what you do with the bacon-fat-drenched bread.

Baconator

Can this recipe be made with 3 slices of bacon?

T. Dixon

I sprinkle a little brown sugar or maple syrup to my bacon in the air fryer, it comes out delicious!

Private comments are only visible to you.

Recipe Tags

Advertisement

or to save this recipe.