Air Fryer Crispy Bacon
There is something wildly satisfying about bacon that crackles when you bite it and leaves a buttery, smoky finish on the plate. Air fryer crispy bacon delivers that texture with far less cleanup and no splattering stove-top grease – the hot circulating air renders fat quickly and crisps the edges while keeping the meat supple. This method highlights the pork’s natural smokiness and achieves an even crisp without flipping more than once. Whether you use streaky or thick-cut bacon, the air fryer makes it faster and more consistent than pan-frying. Readers will love the hands-off convenience, predictable results, and the ability to cook as little or as much as you need, making this a reliable technique for breakfast, sandwiches, garnishes, and anything that benefits from a salty, crunchy hit.
Perfect Texture Every Time
Achieving perfectly crispy bacon in an air fryer is about temperature, timing, and a little patience. Start with room-temperature strips laid in a single layer for even airflow – crowding leads to uneven cooking. The air fryer renders fat quickly at 190C (375F), producing crackly edges and a slightly chewy center that many people love. Thicker cuts will take a bit longer and develop a meatier chew, while thin streaky bacon crisps in minutes. Flip once halfway to expose both sides to the direct hot air, and use a small sprinkle of brown sugar if you want a subtle caramelized glaze. Because the rendered fat drops away, the finished bacon has a cleaner flavor and crispness that holds up on sandwiches and salads without getting soggy.
Quick Crisp and Serving Ideas
One of the best things about air fryer bacon is how quickly it goes from raw to ready, freeing you to focus on the rest of the meal. Cook a batch while you scramble eggs or toast bread – the bacon stays crisp for several minutes, making it ideal for layering on breakfast sandwiches, crumbling over a kale salad, or adding to baked potatoes. For variation, try black pepper for a savory bite, a light brush of maple or honey for sweetness, or a sprinkle of smoked paprika to deepen the smoky notes. Store leftovers in the fridge and re-crisp in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes at 160C (320F) to refresh the texture without overcooking.
Air Fryer Crispy Bacon
Course: Main Course6
servings8
minutes12
minutes273
kcalIngredients
- Main Ingredients
300 g streaky bacon (10.6 oz, about 10-12 slices)
1 tsp brown sugar (4 g) – optional, for light glaze
- Seasonings
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper (optional)
Optional garnish – chopped parsley or cracked black pepper to finish
Directions
- Preheat the air fryer to 190C (375F) for 3 minutes – preheating ensures even cooking and predictable crisping.
- Arrange bacon strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket with a little space between each piece – do not overlap. If needed, cook in batches.
- Sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the bacon if using, and add a light grind of black pepper. Slide the basket into the air fryer.
- Cook at 190C (375F) for 12 minutes, flipping the bacon once at 6 minutes with tongs to ensure both sides brown evenly. Thicker slices may need the full 12 minutes; thin slices will be crisp at this time.
- When the bacon reaches your preferred crispness, transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat and rest for 1 minute – it will crisp up slightly as it cools.
- Serve immediately or cool completely and refrigerate leftovers in a sealed container. To re-crisp, warm in the air fryer at 160C (320F) for 1-2 minutes.
