Crispy Air Bacon

Featured in Food That Makes People Think You've Got Life Figured Out.

Get crispy bacon easily in your air fryer, no splashing grease. Works for regular or thick slices, ready in 10.
Clare Recipes
Updated on Mon, 05 May 2025 19:28:30 GMT
Neatly arranged golden-brown bacon strips on a plate. Pin it
Neatly arranged golden-brown bacon strips on a plate. | recipesclare.com

Kicking off our weekend with Air Fryer Bacon makes our kitchen feel totally magical. What started as just a random Sunday try-out completely changed how our family does breakfast forever. The way each piece gets super crispy without making a mess pulls everyone to the kitchen before they've even had coffee. My teenage son who usually needs to be called three times shows up right away when that amazing bacon smell fills our house.

Easier Morning Routine

I spent years fighting with grease splashes and bacon cooking unevenly, but this way feels like such a treat. The air fryer makes perfectly crispy bacon every time without any messing around or turning. My daughter thinks watching bacon change through the basket window beats any morning TV show. Even my husband who's super picky about breakfast admits this beats his favorite cast iron pan method.

Basic Items

  • Quality Bacon: I grab mine from the neighborhood butcher who cuts it just the way I like.
  • Extra Flavors: Maybe a bit of maple syrup or black pepper.
  • Just Wait: Give the air fryer enough time to do its thing.

First Steps

Warming up the air fryer has become part of my calm morning routine. While it heats I set out the bacon strips and sometimes cut them to make sure they fit. This quiet time before the family wakes up feels kinda like meditation.

Arranging Just Right

Putting bacon in the basket is something I've gotten really good at after so many weekend breakfasts. Each piece needs room around it to get that perfect crunch. My kids take turns helping and say it's like working on a tasty puzzle.

A plate of crispy, cooked bacon strips is arranged neatly on a white dish. Pin it
A plate of crispy, cooked bacon strips is arranged neatly on a white dish. | recipesclare.com

Cooking Wonder

While it cooks, our kitchen fills with an amazing smell. We don't have to avoid hot grease or worry about getting burned anymore. Instead we hang out around the kitchen island making plans for the day while breakfast basically makes itself.

Tips From Experience

After making lots of batches, I've figured out the exact timing for how everyone likes their bacon. My husband wants his super crispy while my daughter likes hers a little chewy. The air fryer gives us perfectly custom bacon every time.

Together Time

Weekend bacon isn't just about eating breakfast. It's when we catch up, tell stories and begin our day as a family. Sometimes the easiest traditions make the strongest family connections.

Keeping The Drippings

We always save that special bacon grease. When it's strained and kept in a jar, it turns into something priceless for cooking later. My grandma showed me this trick and I'm teaching it to my kids now.

More Than Just Breakfast

We use this bacon in so many meals. We crumble it on top of salads, put it in sandwiches, or wrap it around veggies for dinner. One batch gives us tons of options.

A plate of crispy, cooked bacon strips arranged neatly on a white plate, with a blue cloth and a slice of orange in the background. Pin it
A plate of crispy, cooked bacon strips arranged neatly on a white plate, with a blue cloth and a slice of orange in the background. | recipesclare.com

Quick Tidy Up

Making cleanup super easy might be what I love most. No more greasy stove or splattered walls. Just wash the basket quick and we're done, giving us more time together as a family.

Make Ahead

I often cook extra bacon on Sundays and keep it for fast breakfasts and lunches through the week. A minute or two in the air fryer makes it crispy again.

Personal Touches

Everyone in the family adds their own spin. My son made up a maple pepper version that we all love now. Sometimes the tastiest recipes come from just playing around.

Spreading The Method

When friends come over for weekend brunch, they always ask what makes our bacon so good. Showing them this easy way has started an air fryer bacon trend all around our neighborhood.

Great Combinations

We eat our bacon with everything from fluffy scrambled eggs to thick Belgian waffles. That crispy, salty flavor makes any breakfast dish better and turns regular meals into something special.

A plate of crispy bacon strips is displayed alongside a red apple. Pin it
A plate of crispy bacon strips is displayed alongside a red apple. | recipesclare.com

Breakfast Moments

These weekend mornings have built so many wonderful memories. The laughing, sharing stories, and simple pleasure of perfectly cooked bacon brings our family closer.

Learning Chances

Showing my kids how to make air fryer bacon helps them learn about waiting and timing. They're picking up cooking skills while building their own kitchen confidence.

Changes With Seasons

Different times of year bring new bacon pairings. Summer means bacon in sandwiches with garden tomatoes while winter brings bacon wrapped dates during holiday parties.

Always Works Out

Even when we're in a hurry, this method gives perfect results. No more burned bacon or undercooked bits, just reliably tasty success every single time.

Little Pleasures

Air fryer bacon means more than just an easier way to cook. It's about making simple happy moments around our table, starting each day with something nice we can all enjoy together.

Crispy strips of cooked bacon are arranged in a black air fryer basket. Pin it
Crispy strips of cooked bacon are arranged in a black air fryer basket. | recipesclare.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What makes air frying bacon better?
Using an air fryer keeps things cleaner than frying on the stove. The hot air cooks the bacon evenly, giving it that perfect crispy edge.
→ Do I need to turn the bacon?
Nope, you don’t have to flip it. The air fryer does the work, cooking both sides evenly without you needing to stop halfway.
→ Can I keep leftover bacon?
Yep, let it cool and stash it in a sealed container. It'll keep fresh in the fridge for up to 5 days or the freezer for 6 months. Reheating in the air fryer works best.
→ Is thick bacon okay for air frying?
Definitely! Thicker cuts just need a bit more time, around 9-12 minutes. Adjust the time to your crispy preference.
→ What do I do with bacon grease?
Make sure to pour out the grease between batches so it doesn’t smoke. Feel free to keep it for cooking if you like!

Crispy Air Bacon

A no-mess, quick way to cook bacon in the air fryer. Say goodbye to splatters and hello to evenly crispy strips.

Prep Time
5 Minutes
Cook Time
10 Minutes
Total Time
15 Minutes

Category: Party & Snacks

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 4 Servings (4 strips)

Dietary: Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

01 4-5 strips of bacon.

Instructions

Step 01

Get the air fryer going at 350°F. Let it heat for about 3 minutes before starting.

Step 02

Lay the bacon in the fryer basket. If the strips are too long, slice them in half or fold the ends up the edges.

Step 03

Cook the bacon until crispy: regular strips take around 8 to 10 minutes, half strips 7 to 9 minutes, and thicker slices 9 to 12 minutes.

Step 04

Transfer the cooked bacon onto paper towels to soak up any leftover oil.

Notes

  1. No need to flip the bacon while cooking.
  2. Drain out grease between batches to keep the fryer from smoking.
  3. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days.
  4. Freeze it for as long as 6 months if needed.

Tools You'll Need

  • An air fryer.
  • Some paper towels.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 37
  • Total Fat: 3 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: ~
  • Protein: 3 g