Yes, you can absolutely air fry bacon—it's a game-changer for crispy results with minimal mess and splatter compared to stovetop frying. This method has surged in popularity since air fryers became household staples around 2020, and as of early 2026, it's still a top trending hack on cooking forums like Reddit's r/AirFryer_Recipes.

Why Air Fry Bacon?

Air frying bacon leverages hot air circulation for even crisping without added oil, rendering fat efficiently into the drip tray. Home cooks rave about the cleanup ease—no greasy pans—and consistent texture, whether you're after chewy or ultra-crisp strips.

It's faster than oven-baking (under 15 minutes total) and avoids smoke alarms that plague skillet methods. Recent forum buzz highlights thick-cut varieties shining brightest, with users tweaking times for perfection.

Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these for foolproof results, drawn from tested recipes across top sites:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F for 3-5 minutes (optional but boosts crispiness).
  1. Arrange bacon in a single layer in the basket—touching is fine, but avoid overlapping. Cut strips in half if needed to fit more.
  1. Air fry regular bacon 7-9 minutes; thick-cut 10-12 minutes. Flip halfway for even cooking, and check at the 7-minute mark to avoid overdoing it.
  1. Drain on paper towels to soak up grease. Discard drip tray fat between batches.

Pro Tip : No parchment needed—direct contact maximizes crispiness.

Cooking Time Chart

Bacon Type| Temp| Time| Notes 13
---|---|---|---
Thin/Regular| 350°F| 7-9 min| Flip at 4 min
Thick-Cut| 350°F| 10-12 min| Check for chewiness
Very Crispy| 400°F| 6-8 min| Single layer only

Multiple Viewpoints from Forums

  • Yes Enthusiasts : "This blew our minds! Only way now—no smoke alarms!" Others love energy savings, skipping preheat.
  • Cautions : Preheat wastes energy for some; back bacon may curl (snip fat to fix).
  • Trending Twist : Pair with air-fried eggs for full breakfasts, a 2025-2026 staple in viral TikTok demos.

"Air fryer bacon is the best method... crispy and crunchy with easy cleanup."

Once upon a busy morning, I imagined a harried parent discovering this: Bacon emerges golden, house grease-free, kids delighted—storytelling gold for weeknights.

TL;DR : Yes—350°F, 7-12 min single layer. Crispiest, cleanest bacon ever.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.