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Air fryer bacon strips placed on a sheet of parchment paper, positioned at an angle.

Air Fryer Bacon

The best, easiest, most foolproof method for perfectly crispy bacon super fast and with minimal clean up.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 20 minutes
Yield:5 strips of bacon

Equipment

  • air fryer
  • Large plate
  • Paper towels
  • wire cooling rack optional
  • parchment paper designed for air fryers optional
  • Tongs

Ingredients

  • 5 strips bacon more or less as needed, see Notes

Instructions

  • Preheat air fryer to 370° Fahrenheit. While air fryer preheats, line large plate with layers of paper towels. For crispier bacon, place wire cooling rack over paper towels.
  • Once air fryer is preheated, remove basket. Optional: Line bottom of air fryer basket with parchment paper designed for air fryers.
  • Add bacon strips to air fryer basket in single layer. Work in batches as needed to prevent stacking or overlapping bacon strips. If folding bacon to fit in basket, don't fold each bacon strip more than once.
    Strips of uncooked bacon in a small Chefman air fryer basket.
  • Place air fryer basket in preheated air fryer. Fry bacon 5 minutes, then remove basket and check doneness. Use tongs to reposition bacon strips in basket if needed.
  • Return basket to air fryer and fry bacon 5 to 10 minutes more depending on desired doneness (see Notes). Check doneness every 2 to 3 minutes to avoid burning.
    Fully cooked strips of bacon in a round air fryer basket.
  • When desired doneness is achieved, remove air fryer basket and transfer bacon to plate lined with paper towels, or to wire cooling rack over paper towels.
    Strips of crispy air fryer bacon on a sheet of parchment paper.
  • Let basket cool slightly, then carefully wipe out grease to prevent smoking. Repeat steps above until all bacon has been cooked as desired. Serve warm.

Notes

  • Cook times will vary depending on the size, age, make, and model of your air fryer, the elevation of your kitchen, the type of bacon you're cooking, the cut of the bacon you're cooking, and the amount of bacon you're cooking. Use these times and instructions as guidelines - your actual cook times may differ slightly than mine.
  • If your air fryer is on the smaller side, cut the bacon strips in half before placing them in the air fryer basket. Be careful not to overfill the basket.
  • Nutrition amounts reflect approximate information for 1 strip of The Butcher Shop No Sugar Uncured Applewood Bacon. Nutritional information will vary by brand.
 

Suggested Cooking Times

  • Thick-Cut Bacon: Cook 12 to 15 minutes total for crispier, well-done bacon, and 8 to 12 minutes total for chewier, softer bacon.
  • Thin-Cut Bacon: Cook 8 to 10 minutes total for crispier, well-done bacon, and 6 to 8 minutes total for chewier, softer bacon.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1strip of bacon | Calories: 70cal | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 180mg
Recipe By:Cheryl Malik