How to Cook Bacon in an Air Fryer
If you’ve never cooked bacon in an air fryer before, you’re in for a treat.
It’s quick, easy and much less messy than frying it in a pan. The fat drains into the bottom of the drawer, there’s no oil splattering over the hob and you don’t need to stand there constantly turning it.
Whether you prefer back bacon or streaky bacon, the air fryer makes it really easy to get perfect results every time.
Air Fryer Bacon Cooking Times
Back Bacon 190°C 8–10 minutes
Streaky Bacon 190°C 7–8 minutes
These timings are based on average supermarket bacon. Thicker cuts may need an extra minute or two.
How to Cook Back Bacon in an Air Fryer
Lightly spray the top of the bacon with a little oil.
Arrange the rashers in a single layer in the air fryer drawer.
Cook at 190°C for 8–10 minutes.
Turn the bacon halfway through cooking if you want it to colour evenly.
Serve immediately.
How to Cook Streaky Bacon in an Air Fryer
Streaky bacon cooks slightly quicker because it’s thinner and contains more fat.
I cook mine at 190°C for 7–8 minutes, depending on how crispy I want it.
Just like back bacon, I still give it a light spray of oil before cooking. It isn’t essential, but I find it helps the bacon colour evenly and gives it an even crispier finish.
Should you use oil?
Bacon naturally contains plenty of fat, so technically it doesn’t need any extra oil.
That said, I still tend to give mine a light spray before cooking. I find it helps the bacon colour more evenly and gives it a lovely crispy finish.
A couple of sprays is all you need.
How crispy do you like your bacon?
One of the best things about cooking bacon in an air fryer is how easy it is to get it exactly how you like it.
Back bacon: 8 minutes for softer bacon, 10 minutes for crispier bacon.
Streaky bacon: 7 minutes for slightly chewy, 8 minutes or a little longer if you like it really crispy.
Every air fryer cooks slightly differently, so don’t be afraid to tweak the timings to suit your own model.
Do you need to turn bacon?
Not necessarily.
I usually turn mine halfway through because I like it to colour evenly on both sides, but it’ll still cook perfectly well if you leave it alone.
One of the biggest benefits of cooking bacon in an air fryer
The bacon cooks in its own fat, which drains into the bottom of the drawer, leaving the rashers beautifully crisp without covering your hob in grease.
Once I’ve finished cooking, I simply remove the crisper tray, wipe the oil with a piece of kitchen towel, fill the drawer with warm, soapy water and leave it to soak for 10 minutes. It makes cleaning up afterwards really easy.
Air Fryer Girl Tip 💡
Don’t get too hung up on exact cooking times.
I usually start checking my bacon a minute or two before it’s due to finish and then cook it in 30-second bursts until it’s exactly how I like it.
It’s one of those foods that’s really easy to tailor to your own taste.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need to preheat the air fryer?
I don’t.
I simply place the bacon into the drawer, set it to 190°C and start cooking.
Can you stack bacon in an air fryer?
For the best results, I recommend arranging the rashers in a single layer so the hot air can circulate properly.
Why does my bacon smoke in the air fryer?
Bacon releases quite a lot of fat as it cooks. If there’s old grease left in the drawer from previous cooks, it can start to smoke.
Cleaning your air fryer regularly helps prevent this.
Which is better, back bacon or streaky bacon?
That’s entirely down to personal preference.
Back bacon is thicker and meatier, while streaky bacon is thinner, fattier and crisps up more quickly.
🍳 Making a Full Cooked Breakfast?
If you’re cooking bacon, there’s a good chance you’re making a full cooked breakfast too.
The beauty of an air fryer is that you can cook almost everything in it.
Here are the timings I use most often:
🌭 Sausages 190°C | 14–16 minutes
🌭 Chipolatas 190°C | 10–12 minutes
🍄 Mushrooms (1cm slices) 180°C | 13–15 minutes
🍅 Cherry Tomatoes (halved) 180°C | 6–8 minutes
🍳 Poached Eggs – Lightly spray silicone muffin moulds with oil, then add around 1cm of boiling water to each mould. Crack your eggs into a ramekin first (to avoid any shell), then gently pour them into the moulds. Air fry at 190°C for 8 minutes for a soft yolk, or 9–10 minutes if you prefer them firmer. Carefully pour away the water before lifting the eggs out with a spoon.
The Bottom Line
Cooking bacon in an air fryer couldn’t be much easier.
I cook back bacon at 190°C for 8–10 minutes and streaky bacon at 190°C for 7–8 minutes, giving both a light spray of oil beforehand and turning them halfway through for even colouring.
Whether you’re making a bacon sandwich, adding bacon to a cooked breakfast or crisping it up for a salad, the air fryer makes it quick, easy and much less messy than frying in a pan.
