The Air Fryer Bacon Guide: Quick, Crispy, and Convenient

A few years ago, the air fryer trend took kitchens by storm, and I’ll admit, I was skeptical at first. But after hearing my family rave about theirs, we decided to give it a shot. Now, while I’ll always have a soft spot for my favorite cold oven bacon technique, the air fryer has earned a place in my kitchen arsenal. It’s perfect for cooking or reheating small batches of food. Including, for example, the four pieces of bacon you need for my grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup recipe or easy slow cooker potato soup. Here’s my guide to air fryer bacon.

Jump to:

• Getting Started
• Ingredient Recommendations
• Finishing Touches
• Pairings
• Leftovers
• Recipe

Getting Started

If you’re new to making bacon in an air fryer, here’s what you’ll need:

Air Fryer: I have one like this. Any model will work, but make sure it’s clean and ready to go.

Raw Meat Safety Practices: Always handle raw bacon with care. Wash your hands, utensils, and surfaces thoroughly to avoid cross-contamination.

For example, when I get the package of bacon out, I have the air fryer out and ready. When opening a new package of bacon I usually use dedicated food scissors (aka kitchen shears) to cut it open. I take out the bacon slices I need and place them in the basket. Then I wash the scissors and my hands with soap and hot water. Then I put the basket in the air fryer and start cooking the bacon. Then I put the open package of bacon in a Ziploc bag or container. Then, I wash my hands, again. Finally, I place the bacon in the fridge and wash and wipe up the counter where the bacon was.

Jar for Bacon Grease: After cooking, you’ll want a safe way to deal with the grease. I use a rinsed-out spaghetti sauce jar to collect hot oils and dispose of them. Or you can get a container like this especially if you want to save and reuse the grease. (I am not at that level yet.) Alternatively, you can let the grease cool in the air fryer tray and then wipe it out with a paper towel.

Air Fryer Bacon Ingredient Recommendations

Bacon

For the best results with this recipe, I recommend using regular-cut bacon rather than thick-cut or applewood-smoked varieties. I find that these cook more evenly and crisp up beautifully in the air fryer. Store-brand or name-brand is fine. Check the window on the back of the package to try to find bacon with the least amount of fat.

Air Fryer Bacon Finishing Touches

While the bacon cooks, I recommend setting up a little station next to the air fryer. You’ll need a hot pad, the jar with the lid off, and a plate lined with a paper towel. When the bacon is done, pull out the tray and set it on the hot pad. Then remove the basket from the tray and dump the bacon onto the paper towel on the plate. Separate the slices if they end up jumbled. The bacon will drain on the paper towel and crisp up. While it cools and crisps, clip the basket back in the tray and pour the hot bacon grease out of the tray into the jar. Put the tray, with the basket, back into the air fryer.

Air Fryer Bacon Pairings

Once the bacon is cooled a bit and crisped up, it’s ready to add to your favorite recipe like:

• Easy Slow Cooker Potato Soup
• Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup Recipe
• Breakfast

Leftovers

Since I usually make air fryer bacon with a specific purpose, leftovers are rare. But if you find yourself with extra:

• Cooked Bacon: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to a month. Reheat in the air fryer for a few minutes to restore crispness.
• Uncooked Bacon: Once opened, raw bacon can be stored in the fridge for up to 7 days. Be sure to keep it tightly sealed.

The air fryer might not replace all your bacon-cooking methods, but it’s a fantastic tool for quick, crispy results. Whether you’re preparing a cozy meal or adding the finishing touch to a dish, air fryer bacon is a simple and delicious option.

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