It is very simple to make bacon in an air fryer. You can enjoy perfectly cooked bacon in less than 10 minutes with very little mess.
We love Air Fryer Recipes like Air Fryer Chicken Wings because they cook faster and get extra crispy with almost no extra oil. If you crave crispy bacon, then this recipe is for you!.
Making food in an air fryer is so much easier than cooking on the stove or in the oven. It’s quick, less messy, and you don’t have to heat the oven up first. You can make that epic BLT Sandwich in half the time.
Bacon is a breakfast staple in many households. There’s just something irresistible about the smell of sizzling bacon in the morning. While pan-frying is the traditional way to cook bacon, using an air fryer is a healthier and easier alternative with less mess.
One of the most popular air fryers on the market is the Cosori. It’s great for making bacon crispy with little to no oil. There are several easy steps you can follow in this article to cook delicious bacon in a Cosori air fryer.
Benefits of Cooking Bacon in an Air Fryer
Cooking bacon in an air fryer has several advantages over stove-top frying:
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Less fat and calories: air frying cooks food without oil by moving air quickly around it. This significantly reduces the amount of fat and calories compared to pan-frying.
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Even cooking The circulating hot air evenly cooks the bacon all over unlike pan-frying where some areas get more browned than others.
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Less splattering With no hot oil splattering air frying bacon is far less messy.
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Easier cleanup: With minimal oil, cleanup is as easy as wiping out the fryer basket. No more dealing with greasy pans and stovetops.
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Faster cooking: The intense heat of an air fryer cooks food quicker than conventional ovens.
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More consistent results: The controlled temperature of an air fryer takes the guesswork out of cooking.
How to Choose Bacon for Air Frying
You can air fry any type of bacon from thick-cut bacon to turkey bacon. However, thinner sliced bacon tends to cook more evenly in an air fryer. Thick-cut bacon may need a few extra minutes to fully cook through.
Some good bacon options for air frying include:
- Pork breakfast bacon
- Turkey bacon
- Center-cut bacon
- Canadian bacon
Avoid extra-thick bacon slices as they may not crisp up well in an air fryer.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Air Frying Bacon
Cooking bacon in the Cosori air fryer takes just 5 simple steps:
1. Mix Together Seasonings
Start by mixing together any seasonings you want to coat the bacon with. Good seasoning options include:
- Brown sugar
- Cayenne pepper
- Chili powder
- Cinnamon
- Maple syrup
- Pepper
- Salt
Mix about 1 teaspoon of seasoning per 1 pound of bacon until well combined.
2. Dredge the Bacon in the Seasonings
Take each bacon slice and dredge it in the seasoning mixture until fully coated on all sides. Gently shake off any excess seasoning.
3. Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheat your Cosori air fryer to 320°F. This high heat will make the bacon extra crispy.
4. Place the Bacon into the Air Fryer
Arrange the seasoned bacon slices in a single layer on the air fryer basket. Work in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding.
5. Air Fry for 9-13 Minutes
Air fry the bacon for 9-13 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crisped to your liking. Thinner bacon will cook faster than thick-cut bacon.
Tips for Air Frying Bacon
Follow these tips for perfect air fried bacon every time:
- Pat the bacon dry before seasoning for better adhesion.
- Cut bacon slices in half for quicker, more even cooking.
- Arrange bacon slices in a single layer without overlapping.
- Flip bacon halfway through cooking.
- Use tongs instead of forks to flip bacon and avoid puncturing.
- Add 30 seconds to 1 minute more for thick-cut bacon.
- Let bacon cool for 1-2 minutes before eating as it will continue crisping.
- Line the basket with foil or parchment for easier cleanup.
How Long to Air Fry Bacon
Bacon cook times can vary based on the thickness, whether it’s cut in half, and personal preference for crispness. As a general guide:
- Thin sliced bacon: 9-11 minutes
- Regular sliced bacon: 10-12 minutes
- Thick cut bacon: 11-13 minutes
Air fry for 5-6 minutes, flip, then air fry for 4-7 minutes more until desired crispness. Always keep an eye on it near the end as air fryers can quickly overcook food.
Cooking Thicker Bacon Cuts
Thick-cut bacon may need some modifications for even cooking:
- Trim excess fat from edges to prevent curling.
- Cut slices in half crosswise.
- Add 1-2 minutes to the cook time.
- Cook at a lower temp like 280°F to allow interior to fully cook before exterior gets too browned.
Rotate thick bacon slices partway through cooking for the most consistent results.
Best Temperature for Air Frying Bacon
The ideal air fryer temperature for cooking bacon is between 300°F and 360°F. Higher heat above 375°F can quickly result in overbrowning before the bacon is fully cooked.
For thin bacon, 320°F produces optimal crisping. Thicker cuts do better around 280-300°F to allow the interior time to cook through.
Adjust the time up or down if you prefer your bacon lightly golden or extra well-done.
Cleaning Your Air Fryer After Cooking Bacon
While air frying minimizes splatters, the fryer basket will still need a quick cleanup after cooking bacon.
Here’s how to easily clean your Cosori air fryer:
- Carefully remove the basket and wash with hot soapy water.
- Rinse and dry thoroughly.
- Wipe down the fryer drawer and exterior with a damp cloth.
- For stubborn grease stains, use a degreasing cleaner.
- Empty and clean the drip tray.
To simplify cleanup, you can also line the air fryer basket with parchment paper or aluminum foil before cooking.
Best Air Fryer Bacon Recipes
The basic air fried bacon method above is just the start. There are endless ways to flavor and dress up your bacon:
Maple Bacon
- Toss bacon slices with maple syrup before air frying.
Spicy Brown Sugar Bacon
- Dredge bacon in a mixture of brown sugar, cayenne, chili powder, and black pepper.
Candied Bacon
- Coat bacon with brown sugar then sprinkle with a spice like cinnamon.
BLT Air Fried Bacon
- Make crunchy bacon for topping BLT sandwiches.
Bacon Wrapped Foods
- Wrap bacon slices around cheese, potatoes, jalapenos, or other goodies before air frying.
Loaded Bacon Fries
- Top crispy fries with bacon crumbles, cheese, and ranch.
With an air fryer, you can now have bacon for breakfast, snacks, sandwiches, salads, and more! Ditch the frying pans and enjoy grease-free bacon recipes with your Cosori.
Frequently Asked Questions About Air Frying Bacon
What kind of bacon works best in an air fryer?
Thinner sliced bacon tends to cook most evenly in an air fryer. Look for center-cut, breakfast, or turkey bacon around 1/16 inch thick. Avoid extra-thick bacon.
Can you air fry bacon from frozen?
It’s best not to air fry frozen bacon. Thaw it completely in the refrigerator overnight before seasoning and air frying.
Why is my air fried bacon chewy?
If your air fried bacon is chewy, it likely needed more time to fully crisp up. Try cooking it 1-2 minutes longer and use a higher temp like 340°F.
Does air fried bacon splatter like pan frying?
Very minimal. The circulating air heat of an air fryer means almost no messy splatters like from hot grease in a pan.
Is reheating leftover bacon in an air fryer rubbery?
Yes, reheating previously cooked bacon can make it rubbery. For best results, cook bacon from raw in the air fryer.
Can you make bacon jerky in an air fryer?
Yes, an air fryer works great for making crispy bacon jerky. Slice bacon thinly, marinate in a flavorful sauce, then air fry low and slow until dried.
Get Crispy, Flavorful Bacon From Your Cosori Air Fryer
Air frying makes it easy to achieve perfectly cooked bacon right from your own kitchen with minimal oil and effort.
The Cosori air fryer uses rapid air circulation technology to create crispy browned bacon without all the splattering and cleanup of deep frying.
Simply toss the bacon slices in seasonings, arrange in the fryer basket, set the time and temperature, and in minutes you’ll have deliciously crispy bacon ready to enjoy.
So ditch the frying pans, pop bacon in your Cosori, and look forward to grease-free breakfasts and guilt-free snacking anytime!
Which Air Fryer is Best?
We have two air fryers, so we can test air fryer recipes well. But it depends on what you need. Learn about your air fryer, check on your food to see how it’s doing, and change the cooking times as needed because not all air fryers are the same.
- Basket Style Air Fryer – we have the 5. We like the 8-quart Cosori air fryer because it takes up a little less counter space, works well for our family of four, and is easy to clean because both the basket and liner can go in the dishwasher.
- This type of air fryer takes up a little more room, but it’s great for big families and can cook most recipes all at once. Depending on your particular model, it can cook faster. It took 8 minutes to cook the bacon in a toaster oven, but 9 minutes in a basket oven.
Yes, if you want to use turkey bacon, this recipe works great. Just cook the turkey bacon as you would regular bacon with no changes.
This depends on your air fryer. Some air fryers recommend preheating, but it is not necessary for bacon.
Since the bacon will give off grease, you don’t need to spray it or the air fryer tray with cooking spray.
Since bacon fat has a smoke point of 400˺F, we air fry at 350˚F to keep the bacon from getting smoky. Once you’re done cooking, make sure to wipe down the drip pan with a paper towel and drain any oil that’s left in it.
You’ll love cooking bacon in the Air Fryer after just one try. It’s perfectly crisp every time and since the air circulates, there’s no need to flip the bacon halfway.
How Long to Cook Bacon in the Air Fryer
This recipe’s cook time can change based on how done your bacon is, how thick your bacon is, and the type of air fryer you have. Also, we do not preheat the air fryer for bacon.
- If you want soft bacon, air fry it at 350˺F for 7 minutes. If you want crispy bacon, cook it for 8 to 9 minutes.
- If you want soft bacon, air fry it at 350˺F for 9–10 minutes. If you want crispy bacon, cook it for 10–12 minutes.
