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(328)
Comments
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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.

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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.

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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.

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Ratings

4 out of 5
328 user ratings
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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.

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.

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.

Essie

I love air fryer bacon- agree w the comment that this temp is too hot for my fryer. 365 for about 12 minutes is perfect in my Ninja XL. I hang the bacon from the metal grill accessory so I can fit a whole (small) pack and use a parchment liner for easy clean up. Comes out crispy and perfect.

pete

Parchment paper. Catch grease, use for the eggs.

Lee

My microwave has both convection and air fryer option. Can I cover with paper towel to avoid splatters and which option would be better?

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