Air Fryer Bacon

How long to cook bacon in the air fryer

I cook regular bacon for 8 minutes at 360 degrees. That’s my sweet spot for crispy edges with a little chew in the middle. If you want it shatteringly crispy, go 9-10 minutes. I always start checking at 6 minutes because every air fryer runs a little different.

Thick-cut slices need 10-12 minutes in my experience. I buy the Costco thick-cut most weeks, and 11 minutes is where those land for me. You can overlap a few slices, but don’t pack the tray tight or the pieces in the center stay limp. My trick for fitting more: cut the strips in half widthwise. They crisp more evenly that way too.

What temperature to cook bacon in the air fryer

I always set mine to 360 degrees. This is the temperature I’ve landed on after testing everything from 320 to 400.

Above 374 degrees, bacon fat hits its smoke point and you’ll get white smoke pouring out. I learned this the hard way at 400 degrees (my kitchen smelled like a campfire for two days). 360 gives you crispy bacon without any smoke, which is the whole reason I switched to the air fryer in the first place.

Prevent air fryer smoking

Bacon’s fat content can cause smoke, but I’ve figured out a few fixes that work every time.

First, I keep the temperature at 360 degrees or below. Second, I dump the grease from the bottom tray between batches so it doesn’t oxidize and start smoking. The bread trick works too: lay a slice of white bread in the drip tray to absorb the grease. I do this when I’m cooking more than two batches back to back. And always have ventilation, either crack a window or turn on the exhaust fan.

Cleaning your air fryer after cooking bacon

I clean mine right after cooking while it’s still warm. The grease pours right out. I save it in a jar for cooking eggs later (seriously, eggs fried in bacon grease are incredible on keto).

Once the air fryer cools, I wipe the sides with a damp paper towel. This keeps grease from going down the drain and clogging anything up. Then I wash the basket by hand or toss it in the dishwasher. Most baskets are dishwasher safe, but check yours first. The whole process takes me about 30 seconds.

Tips for perfectly cooked bacon

1. Cook longer for thick-cut bacon or if you want it extra crispy. I add 2-3 minutes for thick-cut.
2. Cut your strips in half to fit more in the basket. I do this every time.
3. Keep it at 360 degrees to prevent smoking.
4. Every air fryer runs different. I check my bacon at 6 minutes the first time with a new brand.
5. Save the bacon grease. I use it for cooking eggs and roasting vegetables all week.

Is bacon keto friendly

Bacon is one of my go-to keto staples. High fat, solid protein, and virtually zero carbs. I eat it almost every day and it fits perfectly into my macros.

The one thing I watch for is sugar in the curing process. Some brands sneak it in, so I always check labels. I buy Pederson Farms when I can find it online (sugar-free) or the Costco brand for everyday cooking. Two medium slices give you about 6.7g of fat and 5.9g of protein with basically no carbs.