10 Best Air Fryer Bacon Recipes: Crispy, Delicious, and Easy to Make

Who doesn’t love bacon? The salty, crispy, and savory strips of goodness that make any meal better. But let’s face it, cooking bacon can be a messy and time-consuming process. Flipping the strips, dealing with grease splatters, and cleaning up afterwards can be a hassle. That’s where the air fryer comes in – a kitchen appliance that has gained popularity for its ability to cook food quickly and evenly with minimal effort. And for bacon lovers, the air fryer offers a game-changing way to achieve that perfect crispy texture without the mess. In this article, we will delve into the world of air fryer bacon, exploring its benefits, techniques, variations, and the science behind its crispy perfection. Get ready to elevate your bacon game, as we present to you our top ten best air fryer bacon recipes.

Classic Air Fryer Bacon Recipe

Let’s start with the classic – plain and simple air fryer bacon. This recipe requires only two ingredients and minimal prep, making it a go-to for busy mornings or lazy weekend brunches.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of bacon
• Cooking spray (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
2. Line the bottom of the air fryer basket with a single layer of bacon strips. You may need to do this in batches if your air fryer is not large enough.
3. If desired, lightly spray the bacon with cooking spray to get an even crispier result.
4. Cook for 8-10 minutes, depending on your desired level of crispiness. For thicker slices of bacon, you may need to cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
5. Carefully remove the strips from the air fryer using tongs and place them on a paper towel to absorb any excess grease.
6. Serve and enjoy your perfectly crispy air fryer bacon!

Tips:

• To avoid overlapping of the bacon strips, you can cut them in half before placing them in the air fryer.
• If you don’t have cooking spray, you can brush a light layer of oil or melted butter onto the bacon for an extra crispy result.
• Keep an eye on the bacon towards the end of the cooking time, as it can quickly go from crispy to burnt.

Spicy Air Fryer Bacon

For those who like to add some heat to their breakfast, this spicy air fryer bacon recipe is for you. The combination of smoky, spicy, and sweet flavors will take your bacon to the next level.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of bacon
• 2 tablespoons of brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon of chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon of smoked paprika

Instructions:

1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, chili powder, cayenne pepper, and smoked paprika.
3. Lay the bacon strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
4. Sprinkle the spice mixture over the bacon, making sure to cover both sides.
5. Cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the bacon is crispy and caramelized.
6. Remove from the air fryer and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

Tips:

• You can adjust the amount of cayenne pepper based on your heat preference.
• If you want a spicier result, you can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the spice mixture.
• For an even smokier flavor, you can use smoked bacon instead of regular bacon.

Maple-Glazed Air Fryer Bacon

For a sweet and savory twist to your bacon, try this maple-glazed air fryer bacon recipe. The combination of maple syrup and bacon is a match made in heaven, and the air fryer ensures that each strip is perfectly glazed and crispy.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of bacon
• 1/4 cup of maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon of soy sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a small bowl, mix together the maple syrup, Dijon mustard, soy sauce, and black pepper.
3. Place the bacon strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
4. Brush the glaze mixture over the bacon, making sure to cover both sides.
5. Cook for 8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the bacon is crispy and caramelized.
6. Remove from the air fryer and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

Tips:

• You can use honey instead of maple syrup for a sweeter result.
• If your air fryer has a non-stick coating, you may want to line it with parchment paper before cooking the glazed bacon to avoid any unwanted sticking.

Peppered Air Fryer Bacon

If you like your bacon with a bit of a kick, this peppered air fryer bacon recipe is for you. With a simple cracked pepper seasoning, this bacon becomes a flavorful addition to any breakfast or brunch spread.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of bacon
• 1 tablespoon of coarsely ground black pepper
• Cooking spray (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
2. Line the bottom of the air fryer basket with a single layer of bacon strips.
3. If desired, lightly spray the bacon with cooking spray to get an even crispier result.
4. Sprinkle the coarsely ground black pepper over the bacon, making sure to cover both sides.
5. Cook for 8-10 minutes, depending on your desired level of crispiness. For thicker slices of bacon, you may need to cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
6. Remove from the air fryer and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

Tips:

• You can use any type of pepper you like, such as a mix of black, white, and red peppers for a more complex flavor.
• If you like a lot of pepper, you can also add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the seasoning.

Honey Sriracha Air Fryer Bacon

For an Asian-inspired twist to your bacon, try this honey sriracha air fryer bacon recipe. The combination of sweet and spicy flavors will leave your taste buds wanting more.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of bacon
• 1 tablespoon of honey
• 1 tablespoon of sriracha sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon of onion powder

Instructions:

1. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a small bowl, mix together the honey, sriracha sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder.
3. Place the bacon strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
4. Brush the honey sriracha mixture over the bacon, making sure to cover both sides.
5. Cook for 8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the bacon is crispy and caramelized.
6. Remove from the air fryer and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

Tips:

• You can adjust the amount of sriracha sauce based on your heat preference.
• For an extra kick, you can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the seasoning mixture.

Garlic Parmesan Air Fryer Bacon

For a bacon recipe that’s full of flavor and perfect for any time of day, try this garlic parmesan air fryer bacon. The combination of garlic and parmesan cheese will take your breakfast or snack game to the next level.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of bacon
• 2 cloves of minced garlic
• 1/4 cup of grated parmesan cheese
• Cooking spray (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
2. Line the bottom of the air fryer basket with a single layer of bacon strips.
3. If desired, lightly spray the bacon with cooking spray to get an even crispier result.
4. Sprinkle the minced garlic and grated parmesan cheese over the bacon, making sure to cover both sides.
5. Cook for 8-10 minutes, depending on your desired level of crispiness. For thicker slices of bacon, you may need to cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
6. Remove from the air fryer and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

Tips:

• You can add other seasonings such as dried herbs or red pepper flakes to the garlic parmesan mixture for added flavor.
• Grate your own parmesan cheese for a fresher and more flavorful result.

Other Variations of Air Fryer Bacon

Aside from the recipes above, there are endless possibilities when it comes to air fryer bacon. Here are a few other variations that you can try:

• Brown Sugar Bacon: Sprinkle brown sugar over the bacon before cooking for a sweet and caramelized result.
• Balsamic Glazed Bacon: Brush the bacon with a mixture of balsamic vinegar, honey, and Dijon mustard for a tangy and savory glaze.
• Everything Bagel Bacon: Mix together everything bagel seasoning and garlic powder, then sprinkle over the bacon before cooking for a flavorful and crunchy crust.
• BBQ Bacon: Brush the bacon with your favorite BBQ sauce for a smoky and tangy twist.

Conclusion

The air fryer has truly revolutionized the way we cook bacon. Not only does it eliminate the mess and hassle of traditional methods, but it also produces perfectly crispy results every time. From classic to spicy to sweet, there are endless possibilities when it comes to air fryer bacon recipes. So next time you’re craving some deliciously crispy bacon, try one of our top ten best air fryer bacon recipes and experience the game-changing taste for yourself. Happy air frying!