Air fryer bacon
Air fryer bacon might just be the ultimate kitchen shortcut. No greasy pans, no oven trays to scrub, only irresistibly crispy rashers in less than 10 minutes. It is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a delicious topping. Serve and enjoy the smoky crunch with every bite!
Ingredients
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120 g
Bacon
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Instructions
Recipe tips
It’s often the small details that make the biggest impact in the kitchen, so we’re sharing the tips we rely on when cooking and creating recipes
Preheat your air fryer to 180 °C before cooking the bacon. This ensures an even, consistent temperature, which is important for crispy, evenly cooked rashers. It also cuts down on cooking time and prevents sticking. Run the air fryer empty for 3–5 minutes to preheat, then place the baking paper in the basket and add the bacon.
Place the bacon rashers in a single, flat layer on baking paper in the basket. Make sure they do not overlap or stack, as this can block air flow and prevent the rashers from cooking evenly. If the rashers are too long, simply cut them in half. It is best to cook in batches to avoid overcrowding. Halfway through cooking, flip the bacon so that it browns evenly on both sides. After cooking, drain it on a rack to remove excess grease.
Once your bacon is cooked in the air fryer, quickly transfer it with tongs to a wire rack or a plate lined with paper towels. This removes excess grease and prevents the bacon from becoming soggy rather than crisp. The wire rack lets grease drip off, and paper towels absorb any surface fat. And as a plus, it also makes cleanup easier by reducing the grease left on the serving dish.
FAQ: Questions about air fryer bacon
Life is full of big questions, like how to get your bacon just right. Luckily, you can find answers to your top air fryer bacon questions right below.
Can you cook bacon in an air fryer?
Yes, you can cook bacon in an air fryer. Simply line the basket with baking paper, lay out the rashers, and cook them at 180 °C until golden and crispy. It is a great way to get evenly crisp rashers without the splatter of a frying pan.
How long does it take to cook bacon in an air fryer?
Cooking bacon in an air fryer takes about 8–10 minutes at 180 °C. The exact time depends on how thick your slices are and how crispy you like them, but flipping halfway through helps them cook evenly.
What are common mistakes when air-frying bacon?
Common mistakes when air-frying bacon include overcrowding the basket, which prevents proper crisping, or forgetting to use baking paper to stop sticking. Cook in batches if needed and always line the basket before adding the bacon. Another slip-up is not checking on it near the end. Air fryers cook fast, so peek in during the last couple of minutes to stop it from going past perfectly crispy.
Should I flip my bacon in the air fryer?
Yes, you should flip your bacon in the air fryer about halfway through cooking. Flip it around the 4–5-minute mark so both sides crisp up evenly. This makes sure the fat renders properly and prevents soggy spots. It also keeps grease from pooling, which makes the rashers less greasy and easier to handle once they are done.
Is it better to bake or air-fry bacon?
Whether it is better to bake or air-fry bacon comes down to your preference. Baking is great if you need to cook a big batch and want flat, evenly cooked bacon, while air-frying is quicker, less messy, and gives you evenly crisp rashers with very little effort.
Nutritional values
Nutritional value, per
414 Kcal
| Fibre | - | 0 gram fibers |
| Protein | 15.8 | 16.1 gram |
| Fat | 84.2 | 39.4 gram |
| Carbohydrates | 0 | 0 gram |
Recommended information
Serving suggestion
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Easy air fryer bacon in 10 minutes
There are so many things you can cook in an air fryer, but bacon has to be one of the best. Forget standing over a splattering frying pan or having to scrub the grease off afterwards. Your air fryer takes care of the crisping for you with hardly any mess. In less than 10 minutes, you will have perfectly cooked rashers and get to enjoy the smoky, salty taste that makes it so hard to resist. Breakfast, brunch, or a savoury snack? Perfectly crisp air fryer bacon is ready before you know it.
Perfectly crisp every time
One of the biggest perks of cooking bacon in an air fryer is the consistency. The hot air circulates around each slice, crisping the edges while letting the fat render properly every time. You can use whatever type of bacon you like best.
Back bacon is fantastic, whether you go for smoked or unsmoked, as long as you keep the slices in a single layer. Streaky bacon needs a bit more time since the extra fat takes longer to cook down, but that is what gives it that irresistible crunch. And if you are cooking thick-cut slices, just follow the usual timings and then carry on in short bursts until they are done exactly how you like them.
The air fryer takes all the guesswork out, leaving you with bacon that is spot-on. And once you have nailed your favourite type, it is time to explore all the delicious ways you can enjoy it.
What to eat with your air fryer bacon?
The real question is, what can you not eat with bacon? A classic breakfast with scrambled eggs and toast practically screams for bacon. If you are craving something more decadent, stack it onto a buttery croissant with avocado and a sunny-side-up egg. It is the ultimate brunch treat.
But bacon also goes way beyond the morning plate. Toss it into a fresh green salad to add a smoky, savoury crunch, or use it as a pizza topping where its salty bite complements gooey cheese and tangy tomato sauce. And of course, you can never go wrong with a BLT sandwich. Basically, if it works with bacon, which most things do, you are in for a win.
To test out more air fryer recipes, check out our bacon-wrapped asparagus from the air fryer, air-fried Hasselback potatoes, air fryer duck, and air fryer smashed potatoes.
Add more flavour
Here is a little secret for you. We sometimes like to add a bit of extra flavour to our bacon. The quick cooking time means any glaze or sprinkle you add has the chance to stick and caramelise, giving you crispy rashers with a delicious surprise.
For example, dust your bacon with a little brown sugar before it goes in the air fryer. As it cooks, the sugar melts into a glossy glaze that clings to the salty slices and adds just the right amount of sweetness. Maple syrup works beautifully too, giving you a classic sweet-and-salty combo.
If you like a bit of heat, brush the rashers with sriracha or hot honey before cooking. The air fryer intensifies the flavour, leaving you with smoky, spicy rashers that sure know how to pack a punch. A pinch of chilli flakes or cayenne pepper does the trick as well.
For a little gourmet treat, try brushing the rashers with soy sauce and a drizzle of sesame oil. It gives the bacon a rich umami flavour that pairs perfectly with rice bowls, salads, or even a fried egg on toast.
