Air Fryer Bacon

by KetoFocus.com
5 Stars (6 Reviews) 8 Comments

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5 Ingredients or LessAir FryerCarnivoreEasy

Air fryer bacon makes for a delicious, easy keto breakfast! Learn how to cook bacon in the air fryer with this recipe to make crispy, juicy, perfect looking bacon within minutes and without the mess or the smoke!

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Nutrition Facts

6

Servings

40

Calories

3.5g

Fat

3g

Protein

0g

Net Carb

0g

Total Carbs

Cooking bacon in the air fryer is an easy way to enjoy bacon in the morning as it is easy to make and only requires minimal clean up after.

The benefit of following these instructions for cooking bacon in the air fryer is that you will get minimal smoke. We fry the bacon at a lower temperature in order to avoid going over the smoke point of bacon grease. The great thing about a keto diet is that you don’t have to cut out bacon from your meals!

In fact, crispy bacon is actually encouraged on a keto diet as it is zero carbs and high in fat.

Simple keto breakfast

This air fryer bacon makes for the perfect breakfast, but it can also be served for other meals or even as a snack on its own if you wish!

You can also serve eggs with this air fryer bacon to make an extremely satisfying meal! You can easily make this for the whole family on a weekend, as who’s going to say no to bacon for breakfast?

Bacon with any meal

This air fryer bacon can also be used in salads, soups and with lower carb sides such as roasted mushrooms, green beans and mixed grilled vegetables. These can all quickly be made while the bacon is cooking in the air fryer, so you would have a full meal ready in less than 15 minutes!

Air fried bacon will only take around 10 minutes to cook. However, thick cut bacon will take a few minutes longer. With our method, the bacon becomes perfectly crispy all over, yet still juicy!

a plate of bacon, eggs and low carb toast next to fresh strawberries

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How to cook bacon in the air fryer

Cooking bacon in the air fryer is very simple and quick.

All you need to do is

  1. Place your bacon in the air fryer tray or basket
  2. Set it to 365 degrees for 6-10 minutes
  3. You might need to place the cooked bacon pieces on a paper towel after and blot them to drain off any excess grease

See the full recipe below for full instructions.

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Air Fryer Bacon Ingredients

Air Fryer Bacon Directions

  • STEP
    1

    Preheat air fryer

    If you air fryer does not preheat on it's own, you will need to preheat it. Preheat at 360 degrees for 5 minutes.

    an instant pot air fryer set to 8 minutes and 360 degrees
  • STEP
    2

    Add bacon in the air fryer basket

    Add bacon to your air fryer basket or tray. It's okay to cut your bacon or lay the bacon strips on top of each other in order to fit more into the air fryer basket.

    four slices of uncooked bacon on an air fryer tray
  • STEP
    3

    Air fryer instructions

    Air fry the bacon at 360 degrees for 6-8 minutes. For chewy bacon, air fry for 6 minutes. For perfect bacon, air fry for 8 minutes. For crispy bacon, air fry for 9-10 minutes. For thick cut bacon, add an additional 2 minutes.

    an air fryer tray with four slices of cooked bacon on it
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juicy cooked bacon sitting in an air fryer basket

How long to cook bacon in the air fryer?

Bacon in the air fryer should be cooked for around 6-10 minutes. If you prefer the bacon to be more done, you may want to leave it a bit longer than this. The brand and thickness of the bacon you’re using may also make a difference to the time so only use the 6 minute mark as a starter, and check whether your bacon is done every few minutes.

Thicker slices of bacon might need more than 10 minutes. You can overlap a few slices of bacon but try to arrange them well and to not overfill the tray or basket as they might take longer to cook and they might cook unevenly. The best way to fit in more slices of bacon is to cut the width of the strips in half.

raw thick cut bacon layers on a cutting board

What temperature to cook bacon in the air fryer?

The best temperature to cook Bacon in the Air Fryer is 360 F.

This low temperature prevents smoking and makes the bacon crispy! If you use a temperature over 374 F, the bacon will start smoking, so better to keep this in mind while setting the temperature.

Prevent air fryer smoking

Since bacon has a high-fat content, it can cause smoke. However, there are a few easy ways to prevent this from happening.

We recommend lowering the temperature. If your temperature is set too high, your air fryer will start to produce white smoke.

Be sure to also remove the fat that is collected in the tray at the bottom of the air fryer after each batch so that the fat does not oxidize and starts to produce smoke. It would also be best if you have proper ventilation in your kitchen.

To do this you only need to either open a window or turn on an exhaust fan.

Cleaning your air fryer after cooking

Cleaning your air fryer after cooking bacon is actually easier than you would think.

The best way to clean your air fryer is by getting bacon grease splatter out of your air fryer and out of the bottom catch tray. You can either discard of this or save to use for another time when you are cooking. This is best done before the bacon grease cools down as it is much easier to clean that way.

Once the air fryer cools down completely, wipe the sides down with a damp paper towel. This will prevent any grease going down your drain. You can then clean your tray or basket as you normally would, either by hand washing or by placing in the dish washer.

Most trays and baskets are dishwasher safe, but check if yours is before placing in the dishwasher, just to be safe.

Tips for perfectly cooked bacon

  1. Cook your bacon longer for thicker cut bacon or if you want it extra crispy
  2. Cut your bacon into smaller pieces in order to fit more bacon in the air fryer.
  3. Cook at a lower temperature like 360 degrees to prevent smoking.
  4. Each air fryer is different. Consult your manual to see suggestions specifically for your air fryer. They can all vary when it comes to cooking temperatures and times.
  5. Watch you bacon cook the first time and adjust as needed.

Is bacon keto?

Yes, bacon is keto friendly!

Bacon is high in fat and protein, while being low in carbs, making it the perfect food to be eating on a keto diet.

We suggest you always check the labels when buying packaged bacon as some can be cured in sugar, but for the majority, bacon is very low in carbs. It’s best to stick with uncured bacon. Typically bacon has zero carbs. For the same amount of 2 medium slices of bacon, they will typically contain around 6.7g of Fat and 5.9g of Protein.

Air Fryer Bacon: FAQS

Can I use turkey bacon instead of regular bacon?

Yes, you can use turkey bacon in the air fryer! Just keep an eye on the cooking time, as turkey bacon may cook faster or slower depending on the thickness.

How do I store leftover bacon?

You can store leftover bacon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Just reheat it in the air fryer for a few minutes to get it crispy again!

What temperature should I set my air fryer to for bacon?

For crispy bacon, set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). This temperature ensures the bacon cooks evenly and gets nice and crispy!

Can I cook more than 6 slices at once?

Yes, you can cook more bacon slices, but make sure not to overcrowd the basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches for the best results.

Is air fryer bacon healthier than pan-fried bacon?

Air fryer bacon can be healthier since it allows excess fat to drip away during cooking, resulting in lower fat content. Plus, it’s mess-free and doesn’t require additional oil!

Nutritional information & Macros

Nutrition Information

Air Fryer Bacon

Servings: 6

Amount Per Serving
Calories 40
Fat 3.5g
Protein 3g
Total Carbs 0g
Net Carbs 0g

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8 Comments

  1. This was my first time trying bacon in the air fryer and I was surprised by how evenly it cooked. The cleanup was unbelievably quick which is a huge plus when I’m in a rush. I’m also really happy that it fits perfectly into my low carb routine without any fuss.

    Reply

  2. I made this last night and it turned out amazing! The chicken was super juicy and the creamy garlic sauce was perfection. I loved how rich and flavorful it was without being too heavy. It’s perfect for my keto lifestyle. Definitely keeping this on my dinner rotation!

    Reply

  3. Tried this in my new air fryer and it turned out great. The bacon came out just right at 8 minutes. So much easier than using the stovetop.

    Reply

  4. This recipe turned out amazing! The flavors were rich and satisfying and I loved how moist the final result was. As someone following a keto lifestyle I really appreciated how low carb this meal is without sacrificing taste. Will definitely make again!

    Reply

    1. I love the bacon by Pederson Farms, but I can only find it on line – it is sugar free. I usually get Costco bacon, but I will also just use Smithfield too.

      Reply

  6. Annie, I am new to your keto cooking?was recently was diagnosed with prediabetes. Your recipes make it so easy to stay off carbs and mostly sugar. I am enjoying your easy recipes and I love how you explain everything so well and where to buy the products you use. Just wanted to let you know?thanks for all of your hard work, I know how busy you are?

    Reply

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