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Air-Fryer Bacon
Breakfast

Air-Fryer Bacon

A carefully crafted dish that blends traditional and modern cooking techniques to deliver comforting flavors for every occasion.

⏱️

Cook Time

30 min

🔥

Difficulty

Medium

📂

Category

Breakfast

Recipe Details

Air-Fryer Bacon

Updated Jan. 4, 2023

Basic Information

  • Total Time: 15 minutes

  • Rating: 4/5 (320 ratings)

  • Comments: 47 comments

Recipe Overview

Air-fryer bacon cooks significantly faster than traditional stovetop or oven methods, making it ideal for rapid solo breakfasts, small-batch preparations, or when only a few slices are needed. The cooking process naturally drains excess bacon fat, resulting in intensely crispy strips without additional fat removal steps. The quantity of bacon can be adjusted to fit the size of your air fryer basket—no adjustments to time or temperature are required. Notably, this method works seamlessly with frozen bacon, eliminating the need for thawing.

Ingredients

  • 2–4 slices of bacon (adjust based on air fryer basket capacity and personal appetite; thicker-cut bacon (1/4-inch) is recommended for maximum crispiness).

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Air Fryer: Set the air fryer to 180°C (350°F) and preheat for 2–3 minutes to ensure even cooking.

  2. Prepare the Bacon:

  3. If using frozen bacon, proceed directly to step 3 (no thawing required).

  4. If using refrigerated bacon, pat dry with paper towels to remove surface moisture (optional but recommended to enhance fat drainage).

  5. Arrange bacon slices in a single, non-overlapping layer in the air fryer basket. Overcrowding will prevent proper fat drainage and result in uneven crispiness.

  6. Cook the Bacon:

  7. Place the basket in the preheated air fryer. Set the temperature to 180°C (350°F) and cook for 10–15 minutes.

  8. For extra crispy results, extend cooking by 1–2 minutes (check at 12 minutes to avoid burning, as timing varies by air fryer model and bacon thickness).

  9. Drain and Rest:

  10. Use oven mitts to carefully remove the hot basket from the air fryer. Transfer bacon to a plate lined with paper towels or a wire rack to drain excess fat.

  11. Allow the bacon to cool for 1–2 minutes before serving to ensure safety and optimal crispiness.

Tips & Tricks

  • Cleanup Efficiency: Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper or a silicone mat to catch drippings and simplify post-cooking cleanup.

  • Frozen Bacon Mastery: Preheat the air fryer thoroughly before adding frozen bacon—consistent heat ensures uniform cooking without time adjustments.

  • Texture Customization: Thicker-cut bacon may require 1–2 minutes longer; thin-cut bacon (1/8-inch) typically finishes in 10–12 minutes.

  • Storage & Reheating: Store leftover bacon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For a crisp finish, reheat in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5–7 minutes or in a toaster oven.

  • Pairing Suggestions: Enjoy with eggs, avocado toast, or as a savory addition to salads and soups.

Note: The recipe’s core parameters (temperature and time) remain consistent regardless of bacon quantity, as long as slices are arranged in a single layer. This adaptability ensures flexibility for both small and moderate portions.