Want to know the best way to cook bacon in an air fryer? Unsure about timings, temperatures, or whether it will splatter and smoke? Whether you have back bacon, streaky bacon, or thick-cut rashers, this simple UK air fryer bacon guide will help you get crunchy, evenly cooked results every time. Read on for clear timings, top tips and step-by-step instructions.
Why you’ll love this recipe
Bacon is a breakfast favourite but can feel indulgent. Air frying makes it fast, easy and a little healthier because much of the fat drains away into the crisper plate. It’s a hands-off method that produces crisp, evenly cooked rashers with less mess than pan frying.
Struggling with air fryer timings and temperatures?
If you want a quick reference for temperatures and timings, a printable conversion chart is useful. It helps you match settings and timings to your particular air fryer and the food you’re cooking.
Why air fry Bacon?
Air frying is quicker and often cleaner than pan frying, and for small batches it uses less energy than heating a full oven. It’s very hands-off and typically yields consistent results. Many air fryers have good non-stick surfaces, which makes cleaning easier.
You can use air-fried bacon as a sandwich filling, a salad topping, or in a wide range of recipes where crisp bacon adds flavour and texture.
Ingredients
There’s really only one ingredient: bacon. But different types behave differently, so read these notes:
- Back bacon (also called Canadian bacon): works well smoked or unsmoked. Lay rashers in a single layer for even cooking.
- Streaky bacon has more fat and usually takes longer to crisp as the fat needs to render.
- Thick-cut bacon needs the same starting timings as back bacon but add extra 2-minute increments until it reaches your preferred crispness.
Emma’s top tips
These practical tips will help you avoid smoke, splatter and uneven cooking:
- Never set the air fryer higher than 180ºC (356ºF) for bacon. Higher temperatures can make the fat smoke and splatter.
- After each batch, remove excess fat from the drawer to prevent smoking and potential damage to the appliance. Absorb it with kitchen paper once the drawer has cooled slightly.
- Arrange rashers in a single layer. A little touching or slight overlap is okay because bacon shrinks as it cooks.
- Use silicone or plastic tongs rather than metal to protect non-stick coatings when handling cooked bacon.
- If you need to cook many rashers, consider cutting them to fit. Just remember this can change cooking time, so watch them closely.
Following these guidelines will help you build confidence with your air fryer and get consistent results.
Timings
Quick overview to help plan your cooking:
- Preheat the air fryer for about 3 minutes.
- Back bacon: 6–8 minutes at 180ºC, turning halfway.
- Streaky bacon: 9–11 minutes at 180ºC, turning halfway.
- Thick-cut or crowded baskets may need a few extra minutes; check often.
Times can vary by air fryer model, bacon thickness and how full the drawer is. Use these as a guide and adjust to your preference.
Air Fryer Bacon UK – Step by Step Picture Recipe
(Printer-friendly recipe card appears below)
This guide uses UK metric temperatures and includes common timing ranges.
Ingredients
- Bacon — quantity depends on your air fryer capacity; you may need to cook in batches.
Essential equipment
- Air fryer
- Non-scratch or silicone tongs
Back bacon instructions
Preheat air fryer to 180ºC (356ºF) for 3 minutes. Place back bacon in a single layer in the drawer. Slight touching is fine as bacon will shrink. Take care when handling the hot drawer.
Air fry for 6–8 minutes, turning halfway, until the fat is crisp and the rashers have reached your preferred crispness.
Streaky bacon instructions
Preheat air fryer to 180ºC (356ºF) for 3 minutes. Lay streaky bacon in a single layer. Turn midway through cooking.
Air fry for 9–11 minutes, turning halfway, until the fat is crisp and the bacon is cooked to your liking.
Batch cooking
When cooking multiple batches, remove excess fat between runs to prevent smoking. Use kitchen paper to absorb the fat once the drawer has cooled enough to touch safely.
How to store air fryer bacon
Bacon is best eaten freshly cooked but can be cooled completely and stored covered in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat gently to restore some crispness.
FAQs
Times vary by bacon type and air fryer model. Back bacon typically takes 6–8 minutes, streaky 9–11 minutes. Crowded baskets and thick-cut rashers will need longer—check frequently.
Lining is optional. It may make cleanup easier, but remember to remove excess fat between batches to avoid smoking. Many find unlined baskets easy to clean with a quick wipe.
Yes. Use the recommended temperature of 180ºC and monitor fat between batches to prevent smoking.
Do not exceed 180ºC (356ºF) for bacon to avoid fat smoking and splattering.
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Air Fryer Bacon Recipe (UK)
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Temperatures, timings and how to avoid smoke and splatter. Everything you need to make perfect air fryer bacon.
Ingredients
- Bacon *
Essential Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Non Scratch Tongs
Instructions
Back Bacon Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 180ºC (356ºF) for 3 minutes. Lay back bacon in a single layer; slight overlap is fine.
- Air fry 6–8 minutes, turning halfway, until the fat is crisp and rashers reach your preferred level of crispness.
Streaky Bacon Instructions
- Preheat to 180ºC (356ºF) for 3 minutes. Lay streaky bacon in a single layer.
- Air fry 9–11 minutes, turning halfway, until the fat is crisp and the bacon is done to your liking.
Notes
Batch cooking
Remove excess fat between batches to prevent smoking and spattering. Use kitchen paper to absorb fat when the drawer has cooled enough to handle safely.
Things you should know
*Quantity depends on bacon and air fryer size; you may need to work in batches.
Use these timings as a guide — air fryers and bacon vary. Check bacon regularly to avoid smoking or burning.
Tips
- Do not air fry bacon above 180ºC (356ºF).
- Remove excess fat between batches to avoid smoke.
- Place bacon in a single layer for best crisping.
- Use silicone tongs to protect non-stick surfaces.
- Crowded baskets need longer cook times — monitor closely.
Recommended Products
-
Silicone Kitchen Tongs -
Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone Air Fryer [AF400UK] 9.5L, 2 Drawers
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1
Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 161Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 34mgSodium: 581mgCarbohydrates: 1gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 12g
Nutritional information is a general guideline and not a substitute for professional advice. Always check product labels for allergens.
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If you like this air fryer bacon (uk) recipe…
…you might also like:
- Air fryer boiled eggs
- Air fryer cheese on toast
You can also serve this bacon in a sandwich or alongside soup for a satisfying meal.
Tasty recipes to use up your air fryer bacon
- Serve with coddled eggs
- Use in a healthier carbonara
- Add to a crustless spinach quiche
I want to see YOUR air frying!
Did you use this guide to make air fryer bacon? Tag the creator on social media or leave a comment to share how it turned out.