I wasn’t sure how it would turn out, but making air fryer fried bacon is now my new favorite way to make bacon. It’s fast, easy, and with no messy cleanup. You’re going to love it!

I had a light bulb moment one day when talking with my sister about our favorite ways to cook bacon. I didn’t actually have a preferred method. Until now.
Making brown sugar air fryer fried bacon is a probably the fastest, cleanest, most delicious way I’ve ever made bacon, and now since I’ve done it, I don’t think I’ll ever go back to the oven or stovetop method. And you can quote me on that!
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Below is the full-length YouTube video where I give you all the tips and tricks for making air fryer fried bacon. Check it out!
**Please Note – The printable recipe card with detailed instructions, complete ingredient measurements, and nutritional information for making brown sugar air fryer fried bacon is available at the end of this post.
The ingredient list for making brown sugar air fryer bacon;
**Note – The following list of ingredients contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience.
- Thick Cut Bacon
- Black Pepper
- Smoked Paprika
- Brown Sugar
What kitchen tools and equipment are needed?
- An Air Fryer
- A Cutting Board
- Chef’s Knife
- Tongs
- Paper Towels
What are the benefits of making bacon in an air fryer?
- It’s fast!
- It’s easy!
- It’s less cleanup!
- It’s delicious!
- No Splatters!
- No flying bacon grease to burn and stain!
- It’s safe!
- You don’t have to babysit it!
- Anyone can do it!
Do I have to use the brown sugar and smoked paprika this recipe calls for?
No.
If you like you can make the bacon without adding any seasoning. It’s completely your call.
I do urge you to try the brown sugar and smoked paprika additions. They’ll take your boring bacon from frumpy to fabulous in no time at all!
What is the proper time and temperature for making bacon in an air fryer?
I always like to have my air fryer set at 400-degrees. This particular air fryer bacon recipe took me approximately 10 minutes.
However, air fryers will vary in temperature the same as ovens.
The first time you make bacon in your air fryer, check on it often to ensure it’s not overcooked, or undercooked, and make note of the time so you’ll have your own perfectly cooked air fryer bacon, time after time.
Will I need to flip the bacon at any time during the cooking process?
Yes! I believe that is the easiest way to get the most evenly cooked bacon.
Use tongs to flip the bacon halfway through the cooking process.
Be cautious not to overcook the bacon. As you’ll see from watching the full-length YouTube video, the bacon will firm up and become crisp once it is removed from the fryer, and allowed to cool slightly.

Now that we have a fast and easy method for making bacon in the air fryer, what are some ways you’ll choose to use your air fryer bacon?
Recipes that feature bacon!
Looking for ways to use your air fryer bacon? Here are some delicious recipes that feature bacon in all it's glory. Enjoy!
Bacon Wrapped Broccoli Stalk Appetizers - Waste Not, Want Not
The idea for these Bacon Wrapped Broccoli Stalk Appetizers came to me one night as I was preparing broccoli for dinner. I’m not normally a broccoli stalk eater, but disposing of them is awfully wasteful. That’s when my light bulb moment hit, and the results are utterly delicious!
Creamy Tomato Bacon Pasta with Mascarpone
Creamy Tomato Bacon Pasta with Mascarpone is tiny shells of pasta that are bathed in a smooth, creamy mascarpone tomato sauce and the slightest hint of bacon. It’s wonderfully comforting, and super delicious!
Fried Corn With Bacon And Peppers
I’m actually hedging with this one a little bit because this fried corn isn’t actually “fried”. What it is is deeply sauteed in olive oil and butter. Is it so wrong?!! LOL
Alsatian Cheese and Bacon Tart
Puff pastry, crispy bacon and loads of cheese. How can you go wrong with a combination like this?
Unexpectedly Delicious Bacon Root Beer Bundt Cake
The unexpected flavors of bacon and root beer pair deliciously well in this surprising Bacon Root Beer Bundt Cake. It’s the perfect cake for any Autumn celebration.
The Best Avocado Toast with Bacon and Egg
Avocado toast gets an upgrade with the addition of bacon, egg, and hot sauce for an extra kick of flavor. Avocado Toast with Bacon and Egg is the perfect sandwich for any time of day!
Loaded Potato Chip Cookies with Bacon and White Chocolate
It may seem like an odd combination for a cookie, but it works, and it works well. Trust me!
Fork-Tender Dill Pickle Pork Chops with Bacon & Onion Low Carb Recipe
These fork-tender Dill Pickle Pork Chops with Bacon & Onion are infused with flavor from the pickle juice brine, the browned bacon, and sauteed onions. This fast and easy low-carb recipe will soon become a family favorite!
Sauteéd Brussels Sprouts with Sweet & Spicy Candied Bacon
If you’ve never been a fresh Brussels sprouts fan before this recipe for Sauteed Brussels Sprouts with Sweet & Spicy Candied Bacon just may change your mind!
Bacon Cheeseburger Soup
Who doesn’t love a big bowl of hot and hearty soup when the weather is cold and dreary outside? This recipe for Bacon Cheeseburger Soup is easy to prepare, loaded with all the flavors you love on a cheeseburger (did someone say bacon), and is stick to your ribs, hearty!
Chicken, Bacon and Avocado Calzones
All you need is one hand to hold and eat one of these delicious Chicken, Bacon & Avocado Calzones. However, you’ll need both hands to give the round of applause you’ll be happy to give after you had your first bite.
Crispy Cheese and Bacon Potatoes
From: Barefeet in the Kitchen
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Below is the printable recipe card for today’s Brown Sugar Air Fryer Bacon.
If you’ve enjoyed this recipe and look forward to making it (or have already made it), I’d appreciate if you’d take a moment to give it some feedback by way of stars near the comment section at the end of this post. Thank you so much!

This easy and delicious way to make bacon in the air fryer will soon become your new favorite!
- 1 pound thick cut bacon trimmed to fit the air fryer, if needed
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper or to your tastes
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika or to your tastes
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Lay the bacon strips in an even layer in the air fryer basket. **Note - you may need to work in batches depending on how much bacon you need to make.
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Sprinkle the bacon evenly with brown sugar, pepper, and smoked paprika.
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Set the air fryer temperature to 400° and start the fryer.
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Check on the bacon every few minutes because all air fryers will vary in cooking times.
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After approximately 5 minutes, flip the bacon and continue cooking on the other side for an additional 3 - 4 minutes depending on how you like your bacon cooked.
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Once removed from the fryer, the bacon will crisp up as it cools.
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Continue the same process with the remaining bacon strips and the trimmed ends, if needed.
I sincerely hope you’ve enjoyed today’s recipe for brown sugar bacon made in the air fryer as much as I’ve enjoyed bringing it to you!
Should you have any questions or comments regarding this recipe or anything else you’ve seen on my site, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly or leave me a comment in the comment section below. It is always my distinct pleasure to get back to you with a reply just as soon as I possibly can!
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Kudos Kitchen by Renée ~ Cooking up artistically delicious family-friendly dishes from my Kudos Kitchen to yours!
Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!
**Note – The post above includes affiliate links. As always, I truly thank you for your support!
Bacon in the Air Fryer is awesome!
I had no idea that it was already a thing. I shouldn’t be surprised. Thanks, Jennifer.
Well, I had no idea that you could make bacon in the air fryer! That may be worth buying one. YUMMY!!!
Almost that alone should be the reason for getting one. However, there are SO many other reasons. It’s my new favorite kitchen appliance.
Thank you for this . I was so wanting to cook the bacon this way but was afraid to . I thought maybe the splatters would cause a fire. Now I will try it. Will the grease puddle in the bottom so I can reuse it? I love it on my popcorn instead of butter sometimes.
I’m sure you’ll be able to reuse the grease, Bessie! GREAT idea to use it on popcorn! YUM!!!! 🙂