How to Keep Bacon From Curling in an Air Fryer

Cooking bacon in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make crispy, delicious bacon without the mess and splatter of frying it in a pan. However, one common issue people run into is that the bacon curls up while cooking in the air fryer basket. Curled bacon is frustrating and can lead to uneven cooking. Fortunately, with a few simple tricks, you can keep your bacon flat while air frying. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share my top tips for preventing bacon from curling in an air fryer so you can enjoy perfectly cooked bacon every time.

Why Bacon Curls in the Air Fryer

Before diving into solutions, it helps to understand what causes bacon to curl during air frying in the first place. There are two main reasons:

• Shrinkage – As the fat renders and the bacon cooks, it shrinks up and contracts, causing curling at the edges.

• Air Circulation – The constant air flow in the air fryer basket pushes and flips the bacon, encouraging it to curl.

Thinner sliced bacon tends to curl more than thick-cut bacon because it shrinks and cooks faster. The level of curling can also depend on the type of air fryer, as some models circulate air more aggressively.

Choose Thicker Bacon

One of the easiest ways to minimize bacon curling is to choose a thicker cut I recommend selecting bacon slices that are medium or thick-cut The thicker the bacon, the less it will curl up when air frying. Thinner bacon shrinks and crisps faster, making it more prone to curling.

I’ve found bacon slices around 1/8 inch thick perform the best in the air fryer High quality, artisanal bacon brands often offer ultra-thick slices that are perfect for air frying Local butcher shops may also have excellent thick-cut bacon options.

Layer Bacon Correctly

In addition to using thicker bacon, paying attention to how you arrange the bacon in the air fryer basket makes a big difference. Follow these tips for best results:

• Lay bacon strips in a single layer without overlapping. Overlapping causes uneven cooking.

• Weave bacon slices in a grid pattern to maximize flat surface area.

• Air fry bacon in batches to avoid overcrowding the basket.

• Place bacon on air fryer racks or silicone mats to allow air flow underneath.

Properly layering the bacon gives more structure and support to prevent curling. It also ensures the bacon cooks evenly on both sides.

Preheat Air Fryer

Preheating your air fryer for 3-5 minutes before adding the bacon helps prevent curling. The preheated basket sears the bacon a bit, setting it in place before the curling can start.

I recommend preheating your air fryer to at least 375°F when cooking bacon. Just be sure to use caution when adding bacon to a hot air fryer basket.

Use a Bacon Press

Weighing down the bacon strips is an effective way to keep them from buckling upward. One easy tool for this is a bacon press or other small weighted plate.

Look for a bacon press that fits inside your air fryer basket. Ceramic and cast iron presses work well. Simply place the press directly on top of the bacon while it air fries.

You could also use a heat-safe dish or small pan weighed down with a can or kitchen tool. Anything heavy that can flatten down the bacon layers will work.

Flip Bacon Halfway

Flipping the bacon halfway through cooking time is another helpful trick. Using tongs, gently turn each strip over. This helps prevent the underside from curling as it cooks.

Aim to flip the bacon around the 4-5 minute mark when air frying at 400°F. You may need to adjust the timing based on thickness. Flipping later can set any curling that’s already occurred.

Brush with Oil

Lightly brushing the bacon with oil before cooking can minimize curling. Use just enough to lightly coat the strips—a teaspoon or less should suffice for 8-12 pieces of bacon.

I recommend avocado, coconut, grapeseed, or olive oil. The thin layer helps conduct heat more evenly across the bacon as it air fries, reducing contraction and curling.

Use Wax Paper

You can create a non-stick barrier between the bacon and air fryer basket using wax paper. Simply cut sheets according to your basket dimensions and place in the bottom.

Arrange bacon slices on the wax paper, then replace it between batches if needed. The slick surface allows the bacon to move a bit without actually curling.

Cook at Lower Temp

Cooking the bacon at a slightly lower temperature (around 375°F) means it will crisp up more slowly. This reduces drastic shrinking and curling.

Be sure to add 1-2 minutes to the cook time to account for the temp difference. I don’t recommend going below 350°F, as the bacon won’t get crispy.

Straighten and Reset

Despite your best efforts, some bacon curling may still occur. In this case, take a brief pause mid-cook to straighten and reset the bacon strips.

Use tongs to gently flatten any ruffled edges or ends. Quickly reset bacon pieces into an even single layer. This helps reset their form before curling gets severe.

Let Bacon Rest

After air frying, give the bacon 1-2 minutes to rest before eating. As it cools slightly, any residual curling and contractions will settle.

Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate or wire rack to rest. The short rest prevents the bacon from developing tighter curls or becoming stiff in an arched shape.

Cook Bacon 90% Then Finish In Oven

If you’re still struggling with stubborn curling, try par-cooking the bacon in the air fryer then finishing it in the oven. Air fry for 4-5 minutes at 400°F, then transfer to a baking sheet and bake at 375°F for 2-3 minutes until desired crispness. This hybrid method gives you the speed of the air fryer then uses the dry oven heat to set the bacon flat.

Troubleshooting Extreme Curling

For rare cases of severe bacon curling, it likely means your air fryer runs extra hot or circulates air very aggressively. Here are some other steps to try:

• Use oven-safe wire racks to elevate the bacon and allow more airflow.

• Brush bacon with a thicker layer of oil so it fries instead of bakes.

• Partially freeze the bacon before air frying to reduce shrinking.

• Cook bacon at 350°F instead of a higher temp.

• Weigh down bacon with foil packets filled with rice or beans if needed.

• If bacon won’t flatten at all, finish baking in oven at 300°F instead.

Best Practices for Air Frying Bacon

While this guide focused specifically on preventing curling, here are some other air fryer bacon tips for the best results:

• Pat bacon dry before air frying to prevent splattering.

• Rotate air fryer basket halfway through cook time.

• Pour out excess bacon grease between batches.

• Use foil or parchment paper to line the basket for easier cleanup.

• Adjust cook times based on your bacon thickness and air fryer model.

• For soft bacon, reduce the temperature to 325°F.

• For extra crisp bacon, preheat at 400°F then cook at 380°F.