How long to cook bacon in an air fryer

At-a-glance cooking parameters

Temperature

400 °F

204 °C

Total time

9 min

per single layer

Flip at

5 min

flip once

Internal temp

—

use visual cue

Air fryer bacon at 400 °F (204 °C) for about 9 minutes is the cleanest way to cook bacon at home — no stovetop splatter, no oven sheet pan to scrub. Flip at the 5-minute mark. Drain the drip tray between batches so the rendered fat does not start smoking.

Per serving

Approximate values for a single portion of bacon (USDA baseline, cooked, includes light air-fryer oil spray).

Calories

87 kcal

Protein

6 g

Fat

7 g

Carbs

0 g

Bacon in popular air fryer brands

Adjusted for how each brand actually heats. Tap a brand name to see every food we calibrate for it.

Cooking bacon differently?

Times and technique change when starting from frozen or reheating leftovers. Open the matching guide for the right temp, time and brand notes.

• Reheat leftoverReheat Bacon in an Air Fryer325 °F · 3 min · no flipRestore-the-crisp technique

How to tell it’s done

Strips are deep mahogany with crisp, slightly curled edges. Drag a strip across the basket — a crisp strip stays rigid.

Step-by-step method

1. 1

   Prep

   Bring ingredients close to room temperature. None — bacon renders its own fat (a lot of it).

2. 2

   Season

   No seasoning needed — flavour is built in.

3. 3

   Load

   Arrange 4–6 strips of regular-cut bacon in a single layer for best convection airflow.

4. 4

   Cook

   Set the air fryer to 400 °F (204 °C) and cook for 9 minutes total, flipping once at 5 minutes.

5. 5

   Check & rest

   Check the visual doneness cue and serve immediately for best texture.

6. 6

   Store

   Refrigerate cooked bacon up to 5 days. Crumble cold into salads or reheat in the air fryer at 380 °F for 2 minutes.

Watch out for

• !Drain the basket between batches — accumulated fat will start smoking after 12 minutes and may flash above 400 °F.
• !Thick-cut bacon needs 11–13 minutes total. Reduce time by 1–2 minutes for crispy-but-chewy.
• !Place a slice of bread under the basket (in the drip tray) to absorb fat and prevent smoking.

FAQ about bacon in an air fryer

What temperature should I cook bacon at in an air fryer?

Cook bacon at 400 °F (204 °C). The convection air at this temperature browns the exterior quickly without drying the centre.

How long does bacon take in an air fryer?

Bacon takes 9 minutes total at 400 °F (204 °C). Flip the food once at 5 minutes so both sides cook evenly.

Do you need to flip bacon in an air fryer?

Yes — flip bacon once at 5 minutes. The side touching the basket grate develops a darker, more crusted surface; flipping evens out the cook so both sides match.

Do you need to preheat the air fryer for bacon?

Preheating is optional for bacon — most modern air fryers reach temperature in under 2 minutes and the food's total cook time already accounts for the ramp-up. If you do preheat, reduce the total time by 1–2 minutes and check earlier than usual.

Can I reheat leftover bacon in an air fryer?

Yes. Reheat at 325 °F (163 °C) for 3 minutes. The reheat guide covers the full restore-the-crisp technique. Open the leftover bacon strips reheat guide →