How to Cook Crispy Air Fryer Bacon
Learn how to make air fryer bacon. It’s an easy and splatter free way to cook bacon that comes out perfect. Use your air fryer to make the perfect crispy bacon any way you like it. You’ll love the results, and clean up is simple! It’s our new favorite way to make crispy air fryer bacon.

Did you know you could use an air fryer to make the most amazing bacon? You totally can and it’s very worth it!
Love using your air fryer as much as we do? Try these Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts, Air Fryer Cinnamon Spice Donut Drops or these Air Fryer Intense Garlic Chicken Wings. You can also find more Air Fryer Recipes here.
Why You’ll Love This Crispy Air Fryer Bacon Recipe
Air Fryer Bacon can be made to your favorite amount of doneness. If you enjoy super crispy bacon, you can simply keep it in a little longer. If you want it to be softer, keep it in less time.
However you want it, it comes out perfect every single time.
And it’s all contained inside the air fryer, not all over your countertops, stovetop and inside the oven. (or microwave)
Ingredients
- Bacon. Just Bacon. However you can use turkey bacon, thick cut bacon or any other type with this air fryer bacon recipe, and it will come out perfect every single time.

Can I season my air fryer bacon?
Yes! We have done this several times. Here are some ideas.
Simple & Classic:
- Black pepper: A classic for a reason. Adds a little heat and depth.
- Garlic powder: Adds a savory, aromatic touch.
- Onion powder: Similar to garlic powder, but with a slightly sweeter flavor.
- Paprika: Sweet or smoked paprika adds color and a subtle smoky sweetness.
Adding Some Heat:
- Red pepper flakes: For a kick of spice. Start with a small amount and add more to taste.
- Cayenne pepper: If you want some serious heat. Use sparingly!
- Chili powder: Adds a smoky, slightly spicy flavor.
Sweet & Savory:
- Brown sugar: Creates a caramelized, sweet and savory crust.
- Maple syrup: A drizzle before cooking adds a touch of sweetness and helps with caramelization.
- Everything bagel seasoning: Adds a delicious blend of savory and slightly sweet flavors.
Smoky & Savory:
- Smoked salt: Adds a deep, smoky flavor.
- Liquid smoke: A few drops can add a strong smoky flavor (use sparingly).
Herbs & Spices:
- Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme.
- Rosemary: Adds a fragrant, piney flavor.
- Thyme: A subtle, earthy flavor.
Other Ideas:
- Lemon pepper: Adds a citrusy zest.
- Cajun seasoning: For a spicy and flavorful kick.
- Coffee rub: For a unique, rich flavor with hints of coffee and chocolate. (Use sparingly)
Tips for Seasoning:
- Season before cooking: Apply your seasonings before placing the bacon in the air fryer.
- Don’t overdo it: Start with a small amount of seasoning and add more if needed after cooking. You can always add more, but you can’t take it away!
- Consider the fat: The bacon fat will help the seasonings adhere.
- Experiment: Don’t be afraid to try different combinations to find your favorite!
No matter what you choose, seasoning your bacon can elevate it to a whole new level of deliciousness!
My only recommendation is to watch the time and check on it occasionally to be sure it’s not overcooking. Add a few minutes if it needs more time.
But, you can play with seasonings, herbs, spices, rubs and marinades, making your bacon flavor choices, endless.

Why use an air fryer?
Well, there are a couple of reasons.
- Fast – It cooks your bacon up faster than any other method, in less time.
- Less Mess – Okay look, any other way you make bacon, you’re going to wind up with grease splatter everywhere.
Oven, microwave, stovetop – all of those methods create a bit of a mess and are a pain to clean up. The air fryer keeps everything contained so when it’s time for clean up, it’s simple and easy. No bacon grease and no paper towels needed. - Perfect – In my humble opinion, it makes the perfect bacon every time. It’s incredibly delicious, unlike bacon cooked any other way. And it’s so easy that why wouldn’t I want that? I don’t have to stand there and watch it, I can go about getting other food together while I am frying up the bacon in my air fryer.

What can I use air fryer bacon for?
I realize the obvious answer is… eating.
But after you air fry bacon, it can be used any way you would use cooked bacon. We put it on sandwiches, crumble it in pasta and salads.
Here are a few suggestions to get you started:
- Burgers and Sandwiches like a BLT
- Pasta and blt pasta salad
- Fresh Garden Salads
- Baked Potatoes and potato skins
- Dressings, dips and other condiments
- Soups, stews and even chili
- Pizza
- Garnish or on top of finished dishes

An air fryer is so versatile and will cook nearly anything that can be fried the traditional way, without the mess.
AND it cooks a lot of things you wouldn’t think it would cook either, which I will be sharing over the next several months.
Our temperatures are warming up, so I’m using our air fryer more and more.


Air Fryer Bacon
Suggested Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 strips bacon We only do 6 strips at a time so they aren't overlapping for best results
- pinch black pepper or coat with syrup, bbq sauce or anything else to make it your own flavor!
Instructions
- Place 6 slices bacon in your air fryer basket. I have heard for best results, don't let the bacon touch, but that was NOT my experience at all. You just don't want to pile it all in. I simply lay each piece side by side in a single layer with a tiny bit overlapping. (see photo above) It worked perfectly.
- Set your air fryer at 400 degrees and set the timer to 8 minutes.
- At about the halfway mark, I opened the basket to be sure everything looked stellar. It did and so I popped it back in. If bacon has moved or adjusted from the air, use tongs and readjust.
- Continue cooking. When the timer goes off, check the bacon. If you'd like it a little crispier, cook an additional 2 minutes and check again. Keep in mind what you are using it for. If if it is going in a salad, you might not want it too crisp, if you're putting it on a sandwich, maybe a bit crispier is your desire.
- Do this in 1-2 minute increments until you have it cooked the way you like it.
- Remove the bacon and serve.
Nutrition Facts
Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings

Do you pre heat they fryer?
I can’t find any place where it says to cover the bacon while air-frying,
I would think it’ll splatter uncovered,
I have fried bacon in my air-fryer and it splattered all over
I think it’s a known fact when you use an airfryer for most foods, you’re going to have to clean the inside of the air fryer. When referencing “splatter free” we are speaking more about the mess that more traditional methods create on the counter or stove or even inside your oven.
I wouldn’t cover bacon anywhere because it will cause it to cook unevenly but even more so if you cook it in an air fryer covered. An air fryer is designed to “blow” around the item inside and covering it would mean you weren’t getting the desired results.
I hope that helps clear up any confusion.
I pre-heated the air-fryer and it really splattered
I am not sure what kind of air fryer you are using but the more traditional air fryers are closed and wouldn’t splatter anywhere but inside the unit, which would be expected since that’s kind of how it all works. We use our air fryer daily for multiple purposes and there are very few foods that keep the inside in a condition that it could be used again without cleaning.
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