Making perfectly crispy bacon just got easier with this foolproof air fryer method. In just 8 minutes, you’ll have irresistibly crunchy strips that are cooked evenly without the greasy mess of stovetop frying.
This simple technique delivers restaurant-quality results while keeping your kitchen clean and smoke-free. Plus, each serving packs 14g of protein into a satisfying breakfast or brunch addition. Whether you’re meal prepping or serving a weekend feast, air fryer bacon is your new go-to cooking method.
Ingredients Section
- Center Cut Bacon: 1 package, choose high-quality center cut for best results and optimal crispiness
Instructions Section
- Prep the Bacon: Take out your desired number of bacon slices from the package and cut them in half for perfect air fryer fit
- Arrange: Carefully place the halved bacon strips in a single layer in your air fryer basket, avoiding any overlap for even cooking
- Initial Cook: Set your air fryer to 350°F and cook for 3-4 minutes until bacon starts to turn golden
- Flip and Finish: Using tongs, gently flip the bacon and continue cooking for another 3-4 minutes until desired crispiness is achieved
- Rest and Drain: Transfer the crispy bacon to paper towels, allowing excess grease to be absorbed for perfect texture
- Serve: Once slightly cooled and drained, your perfectly crispy bacon is ready to be enjoyed!
Cooking Techniques
Getting that perfect crispy bacon in your air fryer is super easy! Make sure your bacon pieces don’t touch each other – this lets the hot air flow around them evenly. If you like your bacon extra crispy, add an extra minute to the cooking time. Keep a close eye on it near the end, since bacon can go from perfect to overdone pretty quickly. And here’s a handy tip: if your bacon is thicker cut, you might need to add 2-3 minutes to the cooking time.
Storage Tips
Made too much bacon? Lucky you! Once it’s cooled completely, pop it in an airtight container or zip-top bag and store it in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can also freeze cooked bacon for up to 3 months – just put wax paper between the slices so they don’t stick together. When you’re ready to eat it, warm it up in your air fryer for about 1 minute or microwave it for 15-20 seconds.
Serving Suggestions
Air fryer bacon is amazing in so many ways! Stack it in BLTs, crumble it over salads, or wrap it around chicken breast before cooking. For breakfast, pair it with scrambled eggs and toast, or add it to your weekend pancakes. Love a good sandwich? Layer it with lettuce and tomato, or add it to grilled cheese for extra yum. And don’t toss that bacon grease – save it for cooking eggs or adding flavor to vegetables!
Air Fryer Bacon
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Paper Towels
Ingredients
- 1 package center cut bacon
Instructions
- Remove the desired slices of bacon from the package.
- Cut the bacon strips in half so they fit without overlap.
- Place your bacon in the air fryer in a single layer.
- Cook your air fryer bacon a 350 degrees for 6-8 minutes. Flip the bacon midway through the cooking process.
- Remove the bacon from the air fryer and place it on paper towels to soak up the grease.
- Enjoy!
