Perfect Crispy Air Fryer Thick Cut Bacon Recipe
Savor the flavor of this crispy air fryer thick cut bacon recipe. Perfectly golden, irresistibly delicious, and ready in minutes!
I admit it. From the first time I used my air fryer, I was hooked. It has been a game changer for me, especially on busy mornings or weeknights.
I can make so many different things with it in a fraction of the time it would take for me to cook in the oven. Not only that, but it is so simple to use!
And once I discovered I could air fry bacon, it instantly became my new favorite way to cook it. No more scrubbing bacon grease off the stove top, no smoky kitchen, and no juggling pans before I’ve had my first cup of coffee.
The best part? In just 8–10 minutes, I can have crispy bacon ready for breakfast, a BLT, or even crumbled on top of salads and eggs. Plus, my teens magically appear in the kitchen the second they smell bacon cooking — it’s basically my secret weapon to wake them up on weekends.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe gives you all the flavor of pan-fried bacon without the hassle. Using the air fryer provides even cooking, while any excess grease drips away for less mess.
You’ll love that you can make just a few bacon slices for a sandwich or a whole batch for Sunday brunch. Plus, you can experiment with turkey bacon, maple syrup-glazed strips, or even brown sugar rubs for that perfect mix of sweet and smoky.
Bacon is such an easy breakfast food and a delicious addition to everything from sandwiches to pasta. But cooking it always seems to make such a mess!
Today’s air fryer method gives me perfectly crispy bacon every time, without all the cleanup afterwards.
More Tasty Air Fryer Recipes
Now that you have experienced just how simple an air fryer is to use, I have tons of other easy air fryer recipes for you.
- Air fryer broccoli
- Asparagus
- Sweet potato
- Air fryer burgers
- Traditional French fries
- BBQ chicken drumsticks
- Air fryer steak
- Steak bites
- Salmon
- Thick cut bacon
Serve this easy air fryer bacon recipe with breakfast potatoes and pancakes on the weekend or whip up a few strips of bacon for a BLT or to add to devilled eggs. You are going to love how quick and easy it is to enjoy delicious bacon!
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Supplies
- Ninja Air Fryer – This is a great all-around air fryer in my experience!
- Parchment paper – Awesome for lining the basket of the air fryer and making cleanup a breeze.
- Air fryer paper liners – These disposable air fryer liners work great too!
- Cutting board – For slicing and dicing ingredients.
- Knife – This is my go-to kitchen knife.
Air Fryer Thick Cut Bacon
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- Thick cut bacon – I prefer thicker bacon, but you can use any type of bacon that you like best.
Instructions
1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes.
2. While the air fryer is preheating, arrange the bacon slices in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, cook in batches if needed so the hot air can circulate.
3. Place the basket into the air fryer and cook the bacon for 8-10 minutes, or until it reaches your desired level of crispiness.
4. Halfway through cooking, flip the bacon strips using tongs to ensure even cooking on both sides.
5. Once cooked, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess grease.
6. Allow the bacon to cool for 1-2 minutes before serving to avoid any burns.
Note: Cooking times may vary depending on the thickness of your bacon and the type of air fryer you have. Adjust accordingly.
Tips and Tricks
- Adjust cooking times based on the thickness of the bacon and whether you like crispy bacon or softer bacon.
- Experiment with different types of bacon, like brown sugar or maple syrup flavored varieties, thick and thin bacon strips, or even turkey bacon, and see which you like best.
- It’s important to check the bacon periodically during cooking to prevent it from burning.
- Remember to clean the air fryer basket thoroughly after cooking bacon to remove any extra grease or residue.
- Store leftover bacon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
How to Get the Best Results from Your Air Fryer
- It’s important to preheat the air fryer to ensure even and consistent cooking.
- Make sure your food is in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the basket, as this may lead to uneven cooking. Cook in batches if needed to allow for adequate circulation of hot air.
- Save on cleanup by lining your air fryer basket with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
- Clean your air fryer! I recommend washing by hand, but check your manual.
Frequently Asked Questions
How exactly does an air fryer work?
An air fryer circulates hot air around food, cooking it evenly and quickly with little or no oil, giving you that fried texture without the mess.
Can I use frozen bacon in the air fryer?
Yes, but thawing is recommended. Frozen bacon won’t cook evenly, so let it defrost first for best results.
What’s the difference between cooking regular cut and thick cut bacon in the air fryer?
Thick cut bacon takes a little longer to cook and delivers a meatier bite, while regular cut bacon cooks faster and gets extra crispy. Both taste amazing — it just depends on your preference.
How do I keep bacon from smoking in the air fryer?
Add a little water to the bottom of the drawer or basket before cooking to prevent the bacon grease from smoking.
Can I freeze leftover bacon?
Absolutely! Place cooked bacon in a freezer-safe bag, separate with parchment sheets, and store in the freezer for up to 2 months.
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Air Fryer Thick Cut Bacon
Ingredients
- 1 pound of thick cut bacon
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes.
- While the air fryer is preheating, arrange the bacon slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. You may need to cook the bacon in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Place the basket into the air fryer and cook the bacon for 8-10 minutes, or until it reaches your desired level of crispiness.
- Halfway through cooking, flip the bacon strips using tongs to ensure even cooking on both sides.
- Once cooked, use tongs to carefully transfer the bacon onto a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess grease.
- Allow the bacon to cool for 1-2 minutes before serving to avoid any burns.
Notes
- Adjust cooking times based on the thickness of the bacon and whether you like crispy bacon or softer bacon.
- Experiment with different types of bacon, like brown sugar or maple syrup flavored varieties, thick and thin bacon strips, or even turkey bacon, and see which you like best.
- It’s important to check the bacon periodically during cooking to prevent it from burning.
- Remember to clean the air fryer basket thoroughly after cooking bacon to remove any extra grease or residue.
- Store leftover bacon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Directions for easy to follow and even answered some of my questions and using the parchment paper and found out that I can use foil. Simple and just what I needed.