How Long to Cook Bacon in an Air Fryer (UK Times by Brand)
- TEMP
- 160-220°C
- TIME
- 5-12 MIN
- CORE
- 75°C
75°C for 30 seconds is one of the FSA’s safe core combinations (standard: 70°C for 2 minutes).
Manufacturer charts for bacon range from 160 to 220°C for 5 to 12 minutes, the widest temperature spread of any food on this site, because streaky and back bacon are cooked differently even within the same brand. The Fryer Guide lists every brand's exact figure below.
Based on 6 manufacturer sources. Figures last checked 27 September 2026. See the full list of manuals and articles used on this site on the about and methodology page.
What each brand's guide says
| Brand | Temp | Time | Shake | Amount | Model | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ninja | 220°C | 6 min | Yes | 4 rashers | AF400UK (Foodi MAX Dual Zone) | Ninja Quick start guide, p.11 |
| Ninja | 220°C | 6-8 min | not stated | not given | AF400UK / AF100UK | Ninja Brand chart |
| Tower | 180°C | 12 min | Yes | 80-120g | T17151 (Vortx Vizion 8 Litre Dual Basket) | Tower Manual, p.15 |
| Salter | 180°C | 8-10 min | not stated | 4 strips, cut in half | AeroGrill Pro EK5106 | Salter Recipe booklet, p.5 |
| Instant | 180°C | 8-10 min | not stated | not given | Instant Vortex range (UK, brand-level chart) | Instant Brand chart |
| Instant | 205°C | 5-7 min | not stated | not given | Instant Vortex range (UK, brand-level chart) | Instant Brand chart |
| Cosori | 160°C | 8 min | not stated | not given | Pro LE / CAF-L501-KUS (US variant) | Cosori Manual, p.11 |
What each source actually says
- Ninja (AF400UK (Foodi MAX Dual Zone)): Chart row, page 11: Bacon 4 rashers 220°C 6 mins source
- Ninja (AF400UK / AF100UK): Chart row: Bacon 200°C oven 10-15 min vs Ninja Air Fryer 220°C 6-8 min source
- Tower (T17151 (Vortx Vizion 8 Litre Dual Basket)): Chart row, page 15: BACON 12 180 80-120 Shake source
- Salter (AeroGrill Pro EK5106): Chart row, page 5: Bacon 4 strips, cut in half 180°C 8-10 mins source
- Instant (Instant Vortex range (UK, brand-level chart)): Chart row: Back Bacon 180°C 8-10 mins Air Fry source
- Instant (Instant Vortex range (UK, brand-level chart)): Chart row: Streaky Bacon 205°C 5-7 mins Grill source
- Cosori (Pro LE / CAF-L501-KUS (US variant)): Chart row, page 11: Bacon 320°F/160°C 8 minutes source
Fresh vs frozen
None of the manuals used on this page give a frozen bacon time; all figures above are for fresh bacon.
Size and thickness adjustments
Instant's own chart gives two figures depending on cut: 180°C for 8 to 10 minutes for back bacon (Air Fry function), against 205°C for 5 to 7 minutes for streaky bacon (Grill function). Ninja's chart is based on four rashers at 220°C for 6 minutes; Tower's single bacon figure, the only one found across five opened manuals, is 180°C for 12 minutes for 80 to 120g, with the basket shaken.
Browning and doneness
Bacon is pork, so the FSA's guidance that pork needs to be cooked all the way through applies. This site shows 75°C on the readout panel, the FSA's 75°C for 30 seconds figure, equivalent to its main 70°C for 2 minutes standard.
Where brands disagree
Ninja's 220°C for 6 minutes and Cosori's 160°C for 8 minutes are the two extremes on this page for a similar quantity of rashers. Instant's split between back bacon and streaky bacon shows that cut affects the figure as much as brand does.
From the oven instead?
If you have an oven time and temperature and want the air fryer equivalent, use the oven to air fryer converter.
Frequently asked questions
- What temperature should bacon be cooked at in an air fryer?
- Sourced manuals range from 160°C (Cosori) to 220°C (Ninja); Instant gives two figures depending on whether it's back bacon or streaky bacon.
- Does streaky bacon cook faster than back bacon?
- Per Instant's manual, yes: streaky bacon uses a hotter, shorter setting (205°C, 5 to 7 minutes) than back bacon (180°C, 8 to 10 minutes).
- Should I shake the basket for bacon?
- Ninja's AF400UK chart carries a general note to shake or toss food often for best results. Tower's manual also says to shake; the other bacon sources don't mention it.
- How long does frozen bacon take?
- Not covered by any manual used on this page.
Also see: Sausages