Air fryer cooking guide
Air Fryer Bacon
How long to cook bacon in an air fryer — times for streaky and back bacon, the right temperature, and how to get it crispy without a smoky kitchen.
190°C / 374°F
7–11 min
How long to cook bacon in an air fryer?
Air fry bacon at 190°C (375°F) for 7–11 minutes, depending on thickness and how crispy you like it. Thin streaky bacon is done in about 7–8 minutes; thick-cut takes 10–11. No flipping needed — just pour off the fat between batches.
Air fryer bacon is a revelation: no spitting pan, no babysitting, and the fat drains away so it comes out crisp and flat. It's the hands-off way to cook a whole batch while you get the rest of breakfast going.
Time & temperature chart
| Size / cut | Temp | Time | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thin streaky, chewy | 190°C | 6–7 min | Check early |
| Thin streaky, crispy | 190°C | 8–9 min | No flip needed |
| Thick-cut | 190°C | 10–11 min | Drain fat halfway |
| Back bacon / rashers | 190°C | 7–9 min | Single layer |
Times are a guide — air fryers vary by 10–20%. Always cook to the safe internal temperature, not just the timer.
How to air fry bacon
- 1
Lay the bacon in a single layer in the basket; a little overlap is fine, it shrinks as it cooks.
- 2
Set the air fryer to 190°C (375°F) — no preheat needed.
- 3
Cook until it reaches your preferred crispness, checking from 6 minutes.
- 4
For big batches, pour off the rendered fat halfway so it doesn't smoke.
- 5
Drain on paper towel for a minute — it crisps further as it cools.
Pro tips
- Add a slice of bread or a little water under the basket to catch fat and cut down on smoke.
- Bacon goes from perfect to burnt fast — start checking a couple of minutes early.
- Save the rendered bacon fat in a jar; it's gold for roasting potatoes and veg.
Frequently asked questions
What temperature do you cook bacon in an air fryer?
190°C (375°F) renders the fat and crisps the bacon evenly. Lower temperatures leave it limp; higher risks burning the edges.
How long does bacon take in the air fryer?
Thin streaky bacon takes 7–9 minutes and thick-cut takes 10–11 minutes at 190°C. There's no need to flip it.
How do you stop air fryer bacon from smoking?
Smoke comes from hot bacon fat. Pour off the fat between batches, or add a little water or a slice of bread beneath the basket to catch the drips.
Do you need to flip bacon in an air fryer?
No. The circulating hot air crisps both sides, so a single layer cooks evenly without flipping.
Bacon recipes to try
BreakfastAir Fryer Bacon & Eggs Breakfast
Crispy bacon and perfectly set eggs cooked together in the air fryer — a hands-off hot breakfast in 12 minutes.
PorkSticky Air Fryer Honey Mustard Pork Tenderloin
A juicy air-fryer pork tenderloin with smoky seasoning and a sticky Dijon honey mustard glaze brushed on near the end so it browns without burning.
PorkSticky Honey Garlic Air Fryer Pork Chops
Juicy pork chops get a glossy honey garlic glaze with soy, lemon, and a pinch of chilli. The air fryer browns them fast without a sticky pan.
PorkHow Long to Air Fry Sausages: Pork, Chipolatas and Frozen Links
Air fry sausages at 180°C in a single layer: chipolatas take 8–11 minutes, standard pork sausages 11–15, and frozen links 15–20.