Bacon in the air fryer
Bacon takes 6 to 8 minutes at 425°F (220°C) in an air fryer, shaken or turned at 4 minutes.
What to know about air frying bacon
Bacon is the entry in this index that breaks the conversion rule outright, and where our sources disagree most sharply. Ninja's UK guide sets the air fryer to 220°C against an oven's 200°C — hotter than the oven, not 25 degrees cooler — and cuts the time to 6 to 8 minutes. Cosori's chart says 385°F for 5 to 8, some forty degrees cooler. Both work, because bacon is a race between rendering the fat and burning the lean: hot and fast gives you brittle, shattering rashers, moderate gives you chewier ones with more margin. Thick-cut bacon should take Cosori's gentler figure and 6 to 10 minutes.
The mistake people make
Ignoring the fat that collects underneath. Six rashers can render a surprising amount into the drawer, where it sits directly over the element on many models and starts to smoke. Pour it off between batches, or put a slice of bread under the basket to soak it up.
How to tell when it's done
Bacon carries on crisping for about a minute after it leaves the basket, so pull it while the lean is still slightly flexible rather than rigid. If you wait until it looks finished in the drawer, it will be brittle on the plate.
At a glance
| Air fryer temperature | 425°F |
|---|---|
| Time | 6–8 minutes |
| Shake or flip | At 4 minutes |
| Preheat | Yes |
| Single layer | Yes — do not stack |
| Oil | none |
| From | Raw |
Questions people ask
How long does bacon take in an air fryer?
6 to 8 minutes at 425°F, shaking or turning at 4 minutes. That figure comes from Ninja (SharkNinja UK) and Cosori. Cook times shift with the size and power of your machine, so treat the lower end as the point to start checking.
What temperature should I air fry bacon at?
425°F, or about 220°C. That sits above the 350–400°F band the USDA describes as typical, because browning rather than cooking through is the limiting factor here.
Can you air fry bacon?
Yes. No oil is needed. Keep it to a single layer — crowding the basket blocks the air circulation the machine depends on, which the USDA specifically warns about. Preheat the machine first.
How do you know when bacon is done in an air fryer?
Bacon carries on crisping for about a minute after it leaves the basket, so pull it while the lean is still slightly flexible rather than rigid. If you wait until it looks finished in the drawer, it will be brittle on the plate.
What is the most common mistake when air frying bacon?
Ignoring the fat that collects underneath. Six rashers can render a surprising amount into the drawer, where it sits directly over the element on many models and starts to smoke. Pour it off between batches, or put a slice of bread under the basket to soak it up.
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Sources
- Air Fryer Cooking Time Guide — Ninja (SharkNinja UK). Checked 2026-08-06.
- Air Fryer Cooking Times Chart — Cosori. Checked 2026-08-06.
Times are a starting point, not a guarantee. Every air fryer differs in wattage and basket size, so check early and trust a thermometer over a timer. Written and checked by Christian Weber. Please read the disclaimer.