The short answer: Air fryer bacon comes out evenly crisp in about 10 minutes, with no splatter on the stove. Lay the strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook regular-cut bacon at 350°F for 8 to 12 minutes, or thick-cut bacon for 12 to 15 minutes, flipping halfway. Bacon is done when it's browned and crisp the way you like it.
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Below are a time chart by thickness and model, step-by-step directions, tips for less smoke and easy cleanup, turkey bacon times and how to store leftovers.
Making bacon in the air fryer is one of those small kitchen changes that saves the cleanup on a busy morning.
Air fryer bacon time chart
Times are for an air fryer that has been preheated for 3 minutes. Cook in a single layer, and start checking at the low end of the range.
| Bacon type | Temperature | Chewy | Crisp | Extra crispy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular-cut pork bacon | 350°F | 7 to 8 minutes | 9 to 10 minutes | 11 to 12 minutes |
| Thick-cut pork bacon | 350°F | 10 to 11 minutes | 12 to 13 minutes | 14 to 15 minutes |
| Center-cut or thin bacon | 350°F | 6 minutes | 7 to 8 minutes | 9 minutes |
| Turkey bacon | 360°F | 6 to 7 minutes | 8 to 10 minutes | 10 to 11 minutes |
| Bacon from frozen (separated strips) | 350°F | Add 2 to 3 minutes | Add 2 to 3 minutes | Add 3 to 4 minutes |
Basket-style air fryers usually cook a little faster than oven-style models with racks. A higher temperature like 400°F works, but the fat is more likely to smoke.
How to cook bacon in the air fryer
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F for about 3 minutes.
- Arrange the strips in a single layer. They can touch, but shouldn't overlap. Cut long strips in half to fit a small basket.
- Cook for half the time, then open the basket and flip the strips with tongs.
- Finish cooking until the bacon is as crisp as you like. Strips at the edges brown faster, so move them toward the center if needed.
- Drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Bacon keeps crisping for a minute as it cools.
- Pour off the fat between batches so it doesn't smoke or burn.
Tips for less smoke and easier cleanup
- Keep the temperature at 350°F. It renders the fat without reaching the point where it smokes.
- Add 2 tablespoons of water to the drawer under the basket (in basket-style models), which helps keep dripping fat from smoking.
- Don't use loose parchment while preheating. It can blow into the heating element. If you use a liner, make sure the bacon weighs it down and that it's made for air fryers.
- Empty the grease between batches. Let it cool, then pour it into a jar or a can. Never pour bacon grease down the sink.
- Clean the basket while it's warm with hot, soapy water; the fat comes off far more easily before it sets.
Air fryer vs. oven vs. skillet bacon
| Method | Time | Batch size | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air fryer | 8 to 15 minutes | 4 to 8 strips | Small households, even crispness, less splatter |
| Oven on a sheet pan | 15 to 20 minutes at 400°F | A full pound | Crowds, brunch and meal prep |
| Skillet | 8 to 12 minutes | 4 to 6 strips | Saving the fat for cooking eggs or greens |
When you're feeding a crowd on a holiday morning, the oven is often easier because a full pound fits on one sheet pan. Pair it with our Christmas breakfast ideas or a Christmas breakfast casserole. See our guide to how to cook bacon in the oven.
Is air fryer bacon safe and fully cooked?
Bacon is fully cooked when it's browned and crisp all the way across. Raw bacon is raw pork, so cook it completely rather than eating it limp. If you're cooking turkey bacon, remember it's a poultry product. FoodSafety.gov's safe minimum internal temperatures chart gives the targets for pork and poultry; for thin strips, color and crispness are the practical guide.
Storing and reheating cooked bacon
Refrigerate leftover bacon within 2 hours in a covered container or a zip-top bag lined with a paper towel. The USDA's leftovers and food safety guide says leftovers keep 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator, and they can be frozen for longer storage. To reheat, air fry cooked bacon at 350°F for 1 to 2 minutes until it sizzles again.
Ways to use a batch of air fryer bacon
- Breakfast sandwiches and biscuits
- BLTs and club sandwiches
- Crumbled over a Cobb salad, baked potatoes or mac and cheese
- Stirred into scrambled eggs or an egg casserole
- Wrapped around green beans or dates for an easy holiday appetizer
- Chopped into potato soup, chowder or green beans
Plan breakfast for the week
Bacon is one of the items that disappears fastest from the grocery budget, so planning which mornings it shows up helps a package go further.
- Meal Planner & Grocery List, $3.99. Plan the week's breakfasts and dinners and keep the shopping list on the same page.
- Family Recipe Binder, $6.99. Save your air fryer times and the family's favorite breakfast recipes in one place.
- Holiday Season Bundle, $15.99 (regularly $25.94 for the six items bought separately). The meal planner plus the Christmas Budget & Gift Planner and savings trackers for holiday mornings and the busy season.
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Need a fast lunch next? Air fryer hot dogs take about 5 minutes at 400°F.
Using the air fryer for lunch too? Make a crispy air fryer quesadilla in about 8 minutes.
New to your air fryer? Start with our air fryer recipes for beginners and the cooking times chart.
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Frequently asked questions
How long do you cook bacon in the air fryer? Cook regular-cut bacon in the air fryer at 350°F for 8 to 12 minutes and thick-cut bacon for 12 to 15 minutes, flipping halfway. Start checking at the low end, since air fryer models vary.
What temperature do you air fry bacon at? Air fry bacon at 350°F. It's hot enough to crisp the strips evenly but low enough to keep the dripping fat from smoking, which is a common problem at 400°F.
Do you need to flip bacon in the air fryer? Yes, flip bacon once halfway through cooking in the air fryer. Flipping helps both sides brown evenly and lets you move faster-cooking edge strips to the center.
Do you preheat the air fryer for bacon? Preheating the air fryer for about 3 minutes gives the most even, predictable results for bacon. You can start in a cold air fryer, but add 1 to 2 minutes to the cook time.
Why is my air fryer smoking when I cook bacon? Your air fryer smokes when bacon fat drips onto a hot surface and burns. Cook at 350°F, add 2 tablespoons of water to the drawer under the basket, and empty the grease between batches.
Can you put parchment paper in the air fryer for bacon? Yes, you can use air fryer parchment for bacon, but only with food on top of it so it can't blow into the heating element. Never preheat the air fryer with loose parchment inside.
How do you cook thick-cut bacon in an air fryer? Cook thick-cut bacon in the air fryer at 350°F for 12 to 15 minutes, flipping halfway. Give it the full time for crisp edges and a tender center, and drain it on paper towels.
How long do you air fry turkey bacon? Air fry turkey bacon at 360°F for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping halfway. Turkey bacon has less fat than pork bacon, so it crisps faster and doesn't smoke as much.
Can you cook frozen bacon in the air fryer? Yes, you can cook frozen bacon in the air fryer once the strips are separated. Cook at 350°F, separate the slices after 3 to 4 minutes, and add 2 to 4 minutes to the usual time.
How many slices of bacon fit in an air fryer? Most basket air fryers hold 4 to 8 slices of bacon in a single layer, depending on size. Cut long strips in half to fit more, and cook in batches rather than overlapping them.
How do you reheat bacon in the air fryer? Reheat cooked bacon in the air fryer at 350°F for 1 to 2 minutes, until it sizzles and crisps again. It's the fastest way to bring back the crunch without drying it out.
How can I keep breakfast planned for a busy week? Plan two or three hot breakfasts and fill the other days with make-ahead options. The Meal Planner & Grocery List from HomeBase Paper Co. ($3.99) puts every meal and the shopping list on one printable page, so the bacon and eggs are bought once for the whole week.
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Sources
- FoodSafety.gov: Safe minimum internal temperatures foodsafety.gov
- USDA FSIS: Leftovers and food safety fsis.usda.gov