# Bacon cooking times

How long to cook bacon: **2–3 min per side pan-fried, 3–4 min per side under the grill, 12–15 min in the oven at 200°C (180°C fan) and 8–10 min in an air fryer at 180°C**. Every way to cook it is below, with the temperature and how to tell it’s done.

Source: https://feastflow.co.uk/bacon-cooking-times (FeastFlow free cooking-time guides). Last checked 11 November 2026.

## How long to cook bacon

Times are for 4–8 rashers.

Bacon: cooking times by method:

| Method | Time | Heat | How |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Pan-fry](https://feastflow.co.uk/pan-frying-times) | 2–3 min per side | over a medium heat | Back bacon in a little oil. Streaky bacon can start in a cold pan to render its fat. |
| [Grill](https://feastflow.co.uk/grilling-times) | 3–4 min per side | under a hot grill | – |
| [Oven](https://feastflow.co.uk/oven-cooking-times) | 12–15 min | 200°C (180°C fan), 400°F, gas 6 | On a lined tray, no need to turn. Great for a crowd. |
| [Air fryer](https://feastflow.co.uk/air-fryer-cooking-times) | 8–10 min | 180°C (350°F) | Back bacon; streaky takes 6–8 minutes. Don’t overlap. |
| [Microwave](https://feastflow.co.uk/microwave-cooking-times) | 3–4 min | on full power | 4 rashers between sheets of kitchen paper on a plate. |

## Before you start

Back bacon is the UK’s usual cut; streaky bacon is what Americans call bacon and crisps more.

## How to tell it’s done

Cooked to your liking: back bacon tender with golden fat, streaky bacon crisp.

## Questions

### How long to pan-fry bacon?

2–3 min per side over a medium heat. Back bacon in a little oil. Streaky bacon can start in a cold pan to render its fat.

### How long to grill bacon?

3–4 min per side under a hot grill.

### How long to cook bacon in the oven?

12–15 min at 200°C (180°C fan), 400°F, gas 6. On a lined tray, no need to turn. Great for a crowd.

### How long to cook bacon in an air fryer?

8–10 min at 180°C (350°F). Back bacon; streaky takes 6–8 minutes. Don’t overlap.

### How long to microwave bacon?

3–4 min on full power. 4 rashers between sheets of kitchen paper on a plate.

---

Times are a guide for typical home portions: ovens, air fryers, microwaves and sizes vary. Check meat, poultry and fish with a thermometer. Safe temperatures follow USDA and UK Food Standards Agency guidance.

FeastFlow also plans a whole meal backwards from serving time, with every dish timed and oven temperatures that don’t clash: https://feastflow.co.uk/