The air fryer bacon changes your life! It’s perfectly crispy and evenly cooked in less than 10 minutes, and it’s easy to clean up.
Air frying has transformed so many recipes, such as baked potatoes, cookies, chicken wings, and burgers. It makes everything quicker, cleaner, and delicious. Air fryer bacon is no exception!.
Before I show you how to use an air fryer to make bacon, let me answer some questions that people often have about them.
Cooking bacon can be a messy endeavor, with grease splattering all over your stovetop and bacon shrinking up into odd shapes. However, the Instant Vortex Air Fryer provides a splatter-free way to cook bacon so it comes out crispy and evenly cooked every time.
After testing different air fryer bacon recipes, I’ve found the perfect method for cooking thick-cut, thin-cut, and pre-cooked bacon in the Vortex so it turns out just right Read on for step-by-step instructions, timing guides, and pro tips for foolproof air fried bacon.
Why Cook Bacon in the Air Fryer?
There are a few reasons why the air fryer produces better bacon than the oven or stovetop
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No splatter. The air fryer contains grease drippings so there’s no mess.
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Even cooking. The hot air circulates around the bacon to cook it evenly on all sides.
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Crispy texture. The air fryer dries out the bacon so it gets crispy, not chewy.
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Quick cooking. The bacon cooks in just 8-15 minutes instead of 20-30 minutes in the oven.
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Versatile. You can cook any type of bacon in the air fryer with great results.
Air Fryer Bacon Cooking Times
Bacon type and thickness determine the cooking time. Here are air fryer cooking times for different cuts of bacon:
- Thick-cut bacon: 12-15 minutes
- Regular sliced bacon: 8-12 minutes
- Thin or pre-cooked bacon: 6-8 minutes
Thinner bacon pieces require less time in the air fryer. For thick-cut bacon, give it a few extra minutes. Check for doneness and increase time if needed for crispy results.
How to Cook Bacon in an Air Fryer Step-By-Step
Follow these simple steps for perfect air fryer bacon every time.
1. Preheat Air Fryer
Preheat your Instant Vortex Air Fryer to 400°F. This high temperature helps render fat and crisps the bacon.
2. Prepare Baking Sheet
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. The foil helps reflect heat for even crisping.
3. Arrange Bacon
Lay bacon slices in a single layer on the baking sheet without overlapping. Overlap can prevent even cooking.
4. Cook Bacon
Place baking sheet in air fryer basket. Cook for 8-15 minutes, flipping bacon halfway through. Check often to avoid burning.
5. Drain and Serve
Remove bacon from air fryer and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Blot to remove excess grease before serving.
Pro Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Bacon
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Use thick-cut bacon for the best texture – it shrinks less than thin bacon.
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Cut bacon strips in half to fit more in the air fryer basket.
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Flip halfway through cooking for even browning.
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Pat off excess grease with paper towels before serving.
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Add black pepper or other seasonings before air frying.
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Cook bacon until very crispy for BLTs and breakfast sandwiches.
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Start checking early to avoid overcooking.
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Fry bacon on its own, not with other foods that could affect cook times.
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For less splatter, use bacon strips versus chopped bacon.
Serve Air Fried Bacon 3 Ways
The air fryer makes bacon with a lightly crisped exterior and tender, meaty interior. Here are serving ideas:
BLTs
Crisp up bacon in the air fryer, then use it to top juicy tomatoes, lettuce, and mayo on toast for classic BLT sandwiches.
Breakfast Tacos
Chop air fried bacon and add to breakfast tacos with scrambled eggs, cheese, and potatoes.
Bacon Bits
Crumble cooled air fried bacon over salads, baked potatoes, mac and cheese, or casseroles as a tasty topping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should you preheat the air fryer to cook bacon?
Yes, preheating is key for crispy bacon. Set the air fryer to 400°F before cooking.
What temperature do you cook bacon in an air fryer?
400°F is the ideal air fryer temperature for rendering fat and achieving crispy bacon.
How long does it take to cook bacon in an air fryer?
Cooking times range from 6-15 minutes depending on bacon thickness. Thin bacon takes 6-8 minutes, regular cut takes 8-12 minutes, and thick-cut takes 12-15 minutes.
Do you flip bacon when cooking in an air fryer?
Yes, flip bacon halfway through cooking to ensure even browning and crisping on both sides.
Should you use a baking sheet to cook bacon in an air fryer?
Lining the air fryer basket with parchment or foil allows grease to drain off and makes cleanup easier.
The Takeaway
The Instant Vortex Air Fryer lets you cook restaurant-quality bacon at home with an evenly cooked, crispy texture and no splattering grease. Follow the step-by-step instructions for foolproof results. Adjust cook times as needed based on thickness. Then enjoy your perfect air fried bacon on its own or served on burgers, sandwiches, salads, and more.
Air Fryer Turkey Bacon
Many people use turkey bacon as a healthy alternative to regular pork bacon. Although it is still highly processed, it does contain less fat and calories. It’s a good option for certain diets or individuals who can’t eat pork.
Do I need to preheat my air fryer?
It isn’t always necessary to preheat the air fryer, but it depends on the recipe. Always check if the recipe calls for preheating the air fryer.
No, I don’t heat up my air fryer before putting bacon in it. Bacon tastes best when it starts out cold, whether it’s on the stove or in the air fryer. This is because bacon is mostly fat, and this will make the fat render down much better for crispy bacon.
If you want chewier bacon, put it in an air fryer that has already been heated and cook it until it’s the texture you want.
