Ninja Foodi Dual Zone
A practical air fryer (7.6L, dual zone, 6 functions) that crisps food fast with little oil and costs less to run than an oven.
Can You Cook Bacon in an Air Fryer? (Times & Tips)
Bacon is one of the best things to cook in an air fryer - it crisps evenly, cooks in minutes and saves scrubbing a greasy pan. Here is how to get it right, plus how to keep smoke to a minimum.
Quick answer
Yes - air fryer bacon is quick and crisp. Lay the rashers in a single layer, cook at around 180-200C for 7-10 minutes, turning once, and check early as thickness varies. Empty the rendered fat between batches to reduce smoke.
How to cook it
1. Lay rashers in a single layer in the basket - a little overlap is fine as they shrink. 2. Cook at about 180-200C. Streaky bacon takes roughly 7-9 minutes; thicker back bacon 8-10. 3. Turn once halfway for even crisping. 4. Check early the first time, since air fryers and rasher thickness vary, then note the timing that suits you. No oil is needed - bacon renders its own fat.
Tips and reducing smoke
The rendered fat is what causes smoke. To reduce it, pour a tablespoon of water into the drawer beneath the crisper plate, or add a slice of bread to soak up grease. Cook in batches rather than overloading, and empty the fat between batches. Streaky bacon crisps more and faster; back bacon stays meatier. Save the rendered fat for roasting if you like.
Our top picks
#1
#2 
Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone
A practical air fryer (9.5L, dual zone, 6 functions) that crisps food fast with little oil and costs less to run than an oven.
#3 
Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone
A practical air fryer (9.5L, dual zone, 6 functions) that crisps food fast with little oil and costs less to run than an oven.
Frequently asked questions
How long does bacon take in an air fryer?
Around 7-10 minutes at 180-200C, depending on thickness and how crispy you like it. Streaky bacon is at the shorter end, thicker back bacon the longer end. Check early the first time.
Do you need to turn bacon in an air fryer?
Turning once halfway gives the most even crisping, though many people skip it for streaky bacon. Turning matters more for thicker rashers.
Why is my air fryer smoking when I cook bacon?
It is the hot rendered fat. Add a tablespoon of water or a slice of bread under the crisper plate to catch the grease, don't overload the basket, and empty the fat between batches.
Bottom line
Our top pick is the Ninja Foodi Dual Zone (our score 9.6/10) - A practical air fryer (7.6L, dual zone, 6 functions) that crisps food fast with little oil and costs less to run than an oven..