How to Air Fry Bacon

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: October 8, 2019

An air fryer is a machine that suspends food, such as bacon, in a wire basket and cycles hot air over and around it. This produce effects similar to baking, grilling, or frying. Further, much less oil is necessary compared to other cooking methods, and your bacon will drip away excess fat while air frying. Ultimately, air frying your salty meat strips will make your morning indulgence potentially healthier and just as delicious as the pan-fried bacon you know and love.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Cooking Bacon in an Air Fryer

1
Preheat the air fryer before adding the bacon. Your air fryer requires a two to three minute preheating period. This allows the machine time to achieve the temperature necessary to begin cooking your bacon. For most models, simply set the air fryer to the desired temperature and wait at least two minutes before adding your bacon to the air fryer’s cooking basket.^{[1]
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- Operate your air fryer only on level, heat-resistant surfaces. Further, ensure that there is at least a hand’s length worth of open space behind the air fryer’s exhaust.
2
Spray oil onto the bacon. You’ll need to apply a thin coat of oil directly to the bacon you place in the air fryer’s cooking basket. The best way to do so is by using a spray bottle filled with your favored cooking oil. Spray the bottom of the cooking basket as well, to reduce sticking, and spray. For crispy bacon, spray on only a single thin layer of oil.^{[2]
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- Opt for a hand-pumped plastic spray bottle and fill it with liquid oil, such as olive oil.
- While you can buy spray-able oil, the aerosol can break down some of the non-stick surfaces you use in your kitchen (including the one on your air fryer basket).
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3
Space the bacon out in the basket. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer’s cooking basket by limiting the amount you put in. Since basket sizes differ, there is no standard amount that is ideal. The important thing is that air is allowed to circulate around the bacon and come into contact with almost all of the bacon’s surface. As such, avoid piles of bacon that cause some pieces to be covered up.^{[3]
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- Proper air circulation shortens cooking time and ensures optimal cooking results, particularly in terms of crispiness.
4
Shake the basket during cooking. While the air fryer is cooking your bacon, pause it once to twice to remove the basket and shake it. This will adjust the bacon’s position in the basket, and help ensure that it is evenly cooked. To ensure that each piece if adequately adjusted during cooking, you can also use tongs to simply flip individual slices of bacon.^{[4]
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5
Follow the directions that came with your air fryer. Length of cook time and recommend cooking temperature will vary from model to model. As such, use the chart of other information source that came with your air fryer to determine the proper cook time and temperature.^{[5]
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- One of the benefits of an air fryer is that you can remove the cooking basket whenever you like to check on your food.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Managing Your Air Fryer

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Add water to the drip tray. Since bacon is naturally fatty, grease will likely drip off of the bacon and onto the tray beneath the cooking basket. To prevent the grease from burning and making smoke, add a bit of water to the tray. This will help the grease cool.^{[6]
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- To minimize the amount of fat that drips from your bacon during cooking, dab individual pieces with paper towel before placing them in the cooking basket.
- Smoke from fat and grease is white. If there is ever black smoke coming from your air fryer, turn it off. Once the machine has cooled, look inside the heating element compartment and clear any food that has gotten into it.
2
Allow the air fryer to cool. Once you’re finished with the air fryer, turn it off. The machine may have a shut down process that allows the fan to continue running as it cools down. As such, don’t be alarmed if it’s still making noise, just check to ensure it is turned off. The fan will likely turn off after 20 to 30 seconds.^{[7]
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- Do not handle the air fryer until it has cooled down. Unplug the machine and remove the cooking basket and drawer.
3
Wash the components of the fryer with hot, soapy water. Be sure to wash the basket, the drawer that holds the basket, and the drip tray beneath the basket. Use a sponge or soft brush to avoid damaging the non-stick coating of the basket. Soaking these pieces in soapy water may make cleaning easier. These items are also likely top-rack dishwasher safe.^{[8]
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- Wipe down the surface of the machine with a damp clean cloth and spot clean any particular locations that need it.
4
Turn the air fryer back on to dry it. After cleaning and rinsing, plug the machine back in. Turn it on for two or three minutes. This will dry all of the components of the machine better than you could by hand. Don't forget to turn it off and unplug it after it has dried.^{[9]
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- Always store your air fryer in a clean, dry area.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Making Bacon Dishes in Your Air Fryer

1
Make bacon-topped meatloaf. To make a meal that will yield several servings, first gather one pound of ground beef, ⅔ of a cup of bread crumbs, ¼ of a cup of ketchup, one teaspoon each of salt and pepper, one tablespoon of dried onion, one beaten egg, two strips of thin bacon, and barbecue sauce. Combine everything but the bacon and sauce in a mixing bowl and fashion into a loaf about as long as a dollar bill.^{[10]
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- After pre-heating, cooking the loaf for 20 minutes at 350ºF (177ºC). Remove the basket with the meatloaf still in it.
- Cut the bacon into shorter strips and position them on top of the meatloaf. Brush barbecue sauce onto each and place everything back in the air fryer for 15 more minutes.
- Ensure the meatloaf is finished before turning off the air fryer. If not, cook for five more minutes at a time until the meatloaf is fully cooked.
2
Cook bacon-wrapped shrimp. For four servings, gather 16 pieces of peeled and deveined tiger shrimp and 16 slices of thinly sliced bacon. With the bacon at air temp, wrap each slice around its own piece of shrimp. Start at the head of the shrimp and wrap towards the tail. Refrigerate your beautiful meat sculptures for 20 minutes. Preheat your air fryer to 390°F (199°C) and cook your bacon-wrapped shrimp for 5-7 minutes.^{[11]
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- Allow your creations to cool and drain excess fluid on a paper towel before serving.
3
Bake cheesy bacon croquettes. For six servings, gather a pound of sharp cheddar, a pound of thinly sliced bacon, 4 tablespoons olive oil, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 2 beaten eggs, and 1 cup breadcrumbs. Cut the cheese into six portions and wrap each in two slices of bacon. The bacon should fully enclose the cheese.^{[12]
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- Place your creations in the freezer for five minutes to firm them up, but take care not to forget about them.
- Preheat the air fryer to 390°F (199°C). Meanwhile, mix the breadcrumbs with the oil until even blended. Dip each cheesy bacon block into flour, then eggs, then the breadcrumb mixture, pressing to ensure adhesion.
- Double dip, if you so desire, into the eggs and then the breadcrumbs. This will help prevent the cheese from escaping.
- Cook the croquettes in the air fryer for 7-8 minutes or until they begin to brown.

Community Q&A

Question

What temp do I cook the bacon, and for how long?

Community Answer

The picture above the first step shows to heat the machine to 370 degrees Fahrenheit. You'll need to check your machine's manual for cooking time, though it depends on how crispy you like your bacon.
Question

How many minutes will it take to cook bacon this way?

Community Answer

It depends on how well-done you like your bacon. The crispier you like your bacon, the longer you will have to cook it.

Warnings

Do not attempt to disassemble and service your air fryer. Contact the place of purchase or the manufacturer about what to do if your air fryer is broken.

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