If you’ve never made bacon in your air fryer, this Air Fryer BLT is about to change your whole lunch routine. The bacon comes out evenly crispy, the cleanup is almost nothing, and you can even toast the bread right in the basket. It’s the classic bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich — just faster, less greasy, and honestly better.
I make BLTs more often now than I ever did on the stovetop, and the air fryer is the reason why. No standing over a spattering pan, no soggy paper towels everywhere — just crisp, golden bacon and a sandwich that comes together in minutes. Below you’ll find the simple classic method, plus a few easy upgrades (think hard-boiled egg, avocado, and a quick homemade aioli) for when you want to turn it into a loaded BLT.
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer BLT
- Year-round. No grill or stovetop required, any season.
- Perfectly crispy bacon, every time. The air fryer cooks it evenly with no flipping and no babysitting.
- Way less mess. Most of the grease drips away, and there’s no spattered stovetop to scrub.
- It’s fast. The air fryer preheats quickly and the bacon is done in about 10 minutes.
- One appliance does it all. Cook the bacon, toast the bread — even make hard-boiled eggs in the air fryer if you want them.
- Totally customizable. Keep it classic or load it up (see the variations below).
Ingredients You’ll Need
For a classic Air Fryer BLT, you only need a handful of good ingredients:
- Bacon: The star of the show. Center-cut crisps beautifully, but use your favorite. If you want the full crispy-bacon walkthrough, here’s how to make crispy bacon in the air fryer.
- Bread: Sourdough, white, or whole grain, lightly toasted.
- Lettuce: Crisp iceberg or romaine for that essential crunch.
- Tomato: Ripe but firm, sliced thin.
- Mayonnaise: Adds creaminess and helps keep the bread from going soggy.
Optional upgrades to make it a loaded BLT:
- Hard-boiled eggs for extra protein
- Avocado for richness
- A quick homemade aioli: Mayo blended with garlic, Dijon, and lemon pepper
- A sweet-smoky bacon rub: Brown sugar, black pepper, and paprika
Full measurements and nutrition are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
How to Make a BLT in the Air Fryer
Step 1: Preheat the air fryer to 370°F. (Optional: rub the strips with a mix of brown sugar, black pepper, and paprika for a sweet-smoky edge.) Lay the bacon in a single layer and air fry for about 10 minutes, until crisp. Drain on a paper towel.
Step 2: Toast the bread. Lightly butter or oil the bread, then toast it in the air fryer at 370°F for 1–2 minutes until golden.
Step 3: (Optional) Add your upgrades. For eggs, air fry at 250°F for 15 minutes, then ice-bath, peel, and slice. For aioli, blend mayo, minced garlic, Dijon, and lemon pepper until smooth.
Step 4: Spread mayo (or aioli) on the toasted bread. Layer the lettuce first — it shields the bread from moisture — then tomato, then crispy bacon, plus egg and avocado if using. Season the tomato with a pinch of salt and pepper, top with the second slice, and serve right away.
Pro Tips for the Best Air Fryer BLT
- Lay the bacon in a single layer so it crisps evenly. Cut strips in half if needed to fit your basket.
- Stop the sog before it starts. Spread mayo on the bread and keep the lettuce against the bread as a moisture barrier.
- Use ripe-but-firm tomatoes, sliced thin, and season them with a little salt and pepper.
- Serve immediately for the best contrast of warm, crisp bacon against cool lettuce and tomato.
Tasty Variations
The classic is hard to beat, but the air fryer makes it easy to switch things up:
- Avocado BLT: Creamy avocado slices for a richer bite.
- Spicy BLT: Chipotle mayo or sliced jalapeños.
- BLT with a fried egg: Runny yolk turns it into a hearty breakfast sandwich.
- Turkey-bacon BLT: Lighter, still smoky.
- BLT wrap: Swap the bread for a tortilla.
- Cheesy BLT: Melt a slice of cheese over the bacon in the last minute, the same trick that makes an Air Fryer Patty Melt so good.
- BLT Sushi: For something completely different, try these fun Air Fryer BLT Sushi rolls.
Air Fryer BLT FAQs
How long does bacon take in the air fryer? Usually 7–10 minutes at 370–400°F, depending on thickness. Start checking around the 5-minute mark.
How do I stop the bacon from curling? Set a metal rack or trivet over the strips to keep them flat, or cut them in half.
How do I keep my BLT from getting soggy? Spread mayo on the toasted bread and layer the lettuce directly against the bread, before the tomato.
Can I make it healthier? Use turkey bacon, whole-grain bread, light mayo, and pile on veggies like avocado or spinach.
How do I store leftovers? BLTs are best fresh. Store the components separately and re-crisp the bacon in the air fryer before reassembling.
Can I make a vegetarian or vegan version? Yes — use plant-based bacon or crispy tempeh, plus vegan mayo.
What to Serve With a BLT
A BLT pairs with just about anything, but a few favorites round it into a full meal. Go classic with a creamy Instant Pot potato salad, or make it cozy with a bowl of homemade tomato soup. For something crunchy on the side, you can’t go wrong with air fryer zucchini fries, carrot chips, or homemade sweet potato chips.
More Easy Air Fryer Sandwiches
If this BLT wins you over, you’ll want to keep the air fryer going. A few more reader favorites:
- Air Fryer Reuben Sandwich
- Air Fryer Grilled Apple, Bacon & Cheddar Sandwiches
- Air Fryer French Onion Grilled Cheese
- Air Fryer Grilled Cheese Pizza Sandwiches
- Air Fryer Homemade Breakfast Sandwiches
- Air Fryer Fluffernutter Sandwich
Hungry for more? Browse all of my air fryer recipes or the full sandwiches collection.
Air Fryer BLT
Description
Ingredients
For the BLT
- 10 slices bacon, center-cut
- 10 slices sourdough bread
- 10 leaves iceberg lettuce
- 2 large beefsteak tomatoes, sliced
- ½ cup mayonnaise
Optional — bacon seasoning
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
Optional — loaded upgrades
- 6 large eggs, for hard-boiled
- 1 large avocado, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon lemon pepper
Instructions
- (Optional) Hard-boiled eggs: Preheat the air fryer to 250°F. Add the eggs and cook for 15 minutes. Transfer to an ice bath for 10 minutes, then peel and thinly slice.
- Season the bacon (optional): In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, black pepper, and paprika. Rub onto both sides of the bacon.
- Cook the bacon: Preheat the air fryer to 370°F. Add ¼ cup water to the drawer under the basket to reduce smoking. Arrange the bacon in a single layer and cook for about 10 minutes, until crisp. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Make the aioli (optional): In a blender or food processor, blend the mayonnaise, garlic, Dijon mustard, and lemon pepper until smooth.
- Toast the bread: Spread mayo or aioli on the bread slices. Place in the air fryer at 370°F and toast for about 1 minute, until golden.
- Assemble: Spread the toasted bread with mayo or aioli. Layer on the lettuce first (it keeps the bread from getting soggy), then tomato — seasoned with a pinch of salt and pepper — then crispy bacon. Add egg and avocado slices if using. Top with the second slice of bread.
- Serve immediately and enjoy.
Equipment
- Cooking Spray
- Parchment Paper, optional
Notes
- Keep it crispy: Spread mayo on the bread and place the lettuce against it to block moisture from the tomato.
- Stop bacon curling: Set a rack or trivet over the strips, or cut them in half to fit the basket.
- Make ahead: Cook the bacon in advance and re-crisp it in the air fryer right before assembling.
- Lighter version: Swap in turkey bacon, whole-grain bread, and light mayo.
- Vegetarian/vegan: Use plant-based bacon or crispy tempeh and vegan mayo.
Nutrition
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