The humble bacon slice meets its match: an air fryer. Forget greasy stovetops and slow ovens—the fastest, cleanest path to crispy bacon runs through this countertop convection oven. CNET tested multiple methods and found that air-frying bacon delivers perfectly crunchy strips in under 10 minutes with virtually no mess, solving the age-old breakfast dilemma of splattering grease.
The breakthrough isn't a secret recipe; it's a technique. While many home cooks rely on a skillet, oven, or microwave, the air fryer circulates hot air at high speed, rendering fat quickly while leaving the meat crisp. The key: placing bacon in a single layer in the basket, cooking at 400°F for 8–10 minutes (depending on thickness), and discarding the collected grease with a paper towel. No flipping required.
Why this matters now: air fryers have become a staple appliance in millions of kitchens, especially after pandemic-era cooking boosts. Yet many owners underutilise them for breakfast staples. CNET's discovery repurposes a device already sitting on counters, maximising its utility. The test compared stovetop (10+ minutes, splatter mess), oven (15–20 minutes, preheating time), microwave (soggy results), and air fryer (8 minutes, crisp, clean). The air fryer won on speed, texture, and cleanup—a rare trifecta.
Specifically, the method calls for standard-cut bacon (not thick or thin), no oil needed, and a brief rest on paper towels post-cook. The grease collects in the bottom drawer, easily wiped after cooling. CNET's test used a Philips Premium Airfryer XXL, but any model with a basket works. Results: bacon that rivals restaurant-quality, with less than a minute of active prep.
Analysts note that this technique aligns with broader trends toward healthier, efficient cooking. The air fryer reduces fat consumption (most drips away) and eliminates stovetop smoke. Professional chefs have long advocated for convection cooking; this democratises it for home cooks. The only drawback: batch size—larger families may need multiple rounds.
Looking ahead, expect more air fryer hacks for traditionally messy foods. As Americans seek convenience without sacrificing quality, appliances that bridge that gap will define kitchen innovation. For now, bacon lovers have a clear winner.
Technology
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I Found the Fastest, Cleanest Way to Make Bacon (It's Not the Stove, Oven or Microwave)
My bacon routine got a serious upgrade when I started making it in this versatile kitchen appliance.
David Watsky
CNET
2 min read
2/10
Key Takeaways
- CNET’s test found air fryer bacon cooks in 8–10 minutes at 400°F, compared to 10+ minutes stovetop or 15–20 minutes oven.
- Cleanup requires only a paper towel wipe of the grease drawer—no stovetop splatter or oven rack scrubbing.
- Standard-cut bacon works best; thick-cut may need 12 minutes, thin-cut risks burning at the same temperature.
- Air fryer bacon contains less residual grease than stovetop-fried bacon, reducing fat content by an estimated 30–40%.
- The method works across air fryer brands (tested on Philips Premium XXL but replicable on Cosori, Ninja, etc.).
How to Make Crispy Air Fryer Bacon
A step-by-step guide using an air fryer to cook bacon faster and cleaner than any other method.
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1
Prepare the Bacon
Lay strips of standard-cut bacon in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overlap. No oil or spray is needed—the bacon will render its own fat.
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2
Set Air Fryer Temperature and Time
Set the air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Cook for 8 minutes for chewy bacon or 10 minutes for crispy bacon. Thick-cut bacon may require up to 12 minutes.
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3
Cook Without Flipping
Unlike stovetop or oven methods, the air fryer’s circulating hot air cooks both sides evenly. No flipping is required during cooking.
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4
Remove and Drain
Use tongs to transfer the cooked bacon to a plate lined with paper towels. The paper towels will absorb any residual grease.
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5
Clean the Air Fryer
Once the air fryer has cooled (about 5 minutes), remove the basket and bottom drawer. Wipe out the grease with a paper towel. The drawer can also be washed with warm soapy water.
Frequently Asked Questions
The air fryer is the fastest method, cooking standard-cut bacon in 8–10 minutes at 400°F, compared to 10+ minutes on a stovetop and 15–20 minutes in an oven.
Place bacon strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 400°F for 8–10 minutes. The grease drips into the bottom drawer for easy disposal with a paper towel after cooling.
Yes, because excess fat drips away during cooking, reducing overall fat and calorie content by about 30–40% compared to pan-frying where bacon sits in its own grease.
Set the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) with no preheating needed for most models. Cook standard bacon for 8 minutes for chewy or 10 minutes for crispy. Thick-cut may need 12 minutes.
Yes, any basket-style air fryer works. The method was tested on a Philips Premium XXL but applies to Cosori, Ninja, Instant Pot Vortex, and similar brands.
Air fryer bacon tastes crispier and less greasy than stovetop bacon, with a more even texture. It avoids the smoky, burnt edges that can occur in a skillet.
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www.cnet.com
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