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Oven-Baked Bacon
Oven-baked bacon is one of the easiest ways to cook perfectly crispy bacon with minimal mess and no standing over the stove. Baking bacon in the oven allows the slices to cook evenly while the fat slowly renders, giving you crispy, flavorful bacon every time. It’s ideal for feeding a crowd, meal prepping, or making bacon for breakfast sandwiches, salads, and recipes.
Baking bacon creates less grease splatter, and you can cook large batches at once. Oven baking also helps bacon cook more evenly than stovetop frying.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy hands-off cooking method
- Crispy bacon every time
- Less mess than frying on the stove
- Perfect for cooking large batches
- Great for meal prep and breakfast recipes
Ingredients
- 1 package bacon
How to Cook Bacon in the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil, parchment paper, or a Silpat mat for easier cleanup.
- Arrange the bacon slices in a single layer on the baking sheet. Make sure the slices do not overlap.
- Bake for 15–30 minutes, depending on the thickness of the bacon and how crispy you like it.
- Carefully remove the pan from the oven and transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease.
- Serve immediately and enjoy.
Most recipes recommend baking bacon at 400°F for the best balance of crispy texture and even cooking. Thick-cut bacon may need a few extra minutes.
Tips for Perfect Oven-Baked Bacon
- Use a rimmed baking sheet to prevent grease spills.
- Line the pan with foil for quick cleanup.
- For extra crispy bacon, place the bacon on a wire rack set inside the baking sheet.
- Start checking the bacon around the 15-minute mark since cooking times vary by oven and bacon thickness.
- Bacon continues to crisp slightly after removing it from the oven.
Many cooks recommend using a wire rack because it allows the grease to drip away while the bacon cooks, helping it crisp evenly.
Variations
Chewy Bacon
Bake the bacon for slightly less time for a softer, chewier texture.
Extra Crispy Bacon
Cook a few minutes longer or use a wire rack for maximum crispiness.
Maple Bacon
Brush the bacon lightly with maple syrup during the last few minutes of baking.
Pepper Bacon
Sprinkle cracked black pepper over the bacon before baking.
Storage Tips
Store leftover bacon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To reheat, microwave for 10–15 seconds or warm in a skillet or air fryer until heated through.
Cooked bacon can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to flip bacon in the oven?
No. Oven-baked bacon cooks evenly without flipping, but you can flip it halfway through if you wish.
Is it better to bake bacon at 375°F or 400°F?
Both work well. Baking at 400°F is faster and produces crispier bacon, while 375°F cooks slightly slower and may create a chewier texture.
Can I save the bacon grease?
Yes. Carefully pour the cooled bacon grease into a sealed container and refrigerate it for cooking eggs, potatoes, vegetables, and more.
Why is my bacon not crispy?
The bacon may need more cooking time. Thick-cut bacon especially takes longer to crisp. Avoid overcrowding the pan so the bacon cooks evenly.
Oven Baked Bacon
Equipment
- Sided baking sheet
Ingredients
- 1 package bacon
Instructions
- Heat oven to 400°. Line a sided baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Lay the bacon on the sheet side by side. A little overlapping is fine, as they will shrink.
- Cook the bacon for 15-30 minutes. Cooking time depends on the thickness of your bacon. Start checking your bacon at around 10 minutes to ensure your bacon doesn’t burn.
- Once the bacon has reached your desired level of crispiness, remove it from the pan and immediately place it on paper towels to soak up excess bacon grease.
Nutrition
- SET OF 3 BAKING SHEETS: GoodCook’s Nonstick Cookie Sheet Set comes with a small 13” x 9”, medium 15” x 10” and large 17” x 11” baking sheet to provide the perfect options for any of your baking needs.
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- Mat measures 16-1/2" x 24-1/2"; Fits on full-size 18" x 26" sheet pan
- Temperature safe for use in the oven, microwave and freezer (-40° F to 500° F); Rinse with soapy hot water after use and lay flat or hang to dry; Lay flat or roll to store
