How to Bake Crispy, Delicious Bacon Easily in the Oven

Cooking Bacon in the Oven for Perfectly Crispy Results

Baking bacon in the oven is one of the best ways to cook up a tasty batch with minimal mess and perfect results every time. Oven-baked bacon comes out flat, crisp, and evenly cooked - no more underdone fatty pieces or overdone burnt bits. All it takes is a rimmed baking sheet, parchment paper, some patience, and a few simple tips to enjoy diner-style bacon made right at home.

Benefits of Cooking Bacon in the Oven

There are several advantages to cooking bacon in the oven rather than the stovetop:

• More even cooking - No need to constantly flip and watch the bacon. The heat circulates around each slice in the oven for uniform cooking.
• Less splattering - Baking bacon on a lined pan cuts down on grease splatters around the kitchen.
• Flat shape - Oven heat flattens and straightens the bacon into tidy strips.
• Crispiness control - Adjust bake time to reach desired crispness, from pliable to super crunchy.
• High volume - Fit more bacon in the oven than skillet. Great for feeding a crowd.
• Hands-free - Just set the timer and wait for perfectly cooked bacon every time.

Choosing the Right Bacon for Oven Cooking

Look for a good thick-cut artisanal bacon at the supermarket. Standard thin bacon tends to overcook and burn quickly in the oven. Aim for the following for best oven-baked results:

• Thick cut - about 1/8-inch is ideal
• Slab bacon or sliced - buy it in a slab to cut yourself or opt for pre-sliced packs
• Wood smoked or uncured - comes down to preference
• Avoid thin or extra-thin slices - they burn too fast

How to Bake Bacon in the Oven

Follow these simple steps for perfect oven-baked bacon every time:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Arrange oven rack in middle position.
2. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Make sure pan has at least a small lip to catch grease.
3. Arrange bacon slices in a single layer on pan, making sure none are overlapping. Leave a little space between each.
4. Bake for 15 minutes, until bacon is sizzling and fatty parts look rendered. Rotate pan if any areas are cooking faster.
5. Remove from oven and use tongs to transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and crisp up.
6. Pour bacon grease into heat-proof container. Discard parchment. Clean pan right away for easy cleanup.

Oven Bacon Cooking Times

Bacon cook times can vary based on thickness, whether sliced or in slabs, and desired crispness. Use these general guidelines for timing:

• Thick sliced bacon - 18-22 minutes
• Thick slab bacon, cut in 1/2-inch slices - 15-18 minutes
• Thicker slab bacon, cut in 1/4-inch slices - 12-15 minutes
• Thinner sliced bacon - 10-12 minutes

For chewier texture, shave 2-3 minutes off. For super crisp bacon, let cook 2-3 minutes longer. Keep an eye on it towards the end to prevent burning.

Tips for Crispy Oven Bacon

Follow these helpful tips for getting the crispiest oven bacon results:

• Pat bacon dry before baking - excess moisture leads to less crispness
• Use foil-lined pan - the foil reflects heat for an extra crispy bottom
• Elevate bacon on a rack - bacon sitting directly on pan steams instead of crisping
• Sprinkle brown sugar before baking - it caramelizes for candied texture
• Turn broiler on briefly at end - crisps bacon right at the end

Flavor Boosts for Oven-Baked Bacon

Before popping it in the oven, add extra flavor to your bacon with these delicious ingredients:

• Brown sugar, maple syrup, or honey - brush with a sticky-sweet glaze
• Spice rub - coat with smoked paprika, chili powder, cayenne, etc
• Black pepper - freshly cracked pepper adds bite
• Chopped roasted garlic - surprisingly tasty flavor
• Fresh rosemary - arrange sprigs on top while baking

Serving and Storing Oven-Baked Bacon

Ideas for enjoying your perfectly oven-baked bacon:

• BLTs - crispy bacon is made for classic sandwiches
• Eggs Benedict - top poached eggs and English muffins
• Salads and Brussels sprouts - crumble for a tasty topping
• Roasted potatoes - sprinkle over top just before serving
• Mac and cheese - mix in for smoky bacon flavor

Store leftover uncooked bacon in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 7 days. Wrap extra cooked bacon in paper towels, store in a zip-top bag and freeze up to 2 months.

Tips for Delicious Oven-Baked Bacon Every Time

Cooking bacon in the oven is a nearly foolproof method that yields delicious results. Armed with the right techniques, you'll enjoy restaurant-worthy bacon any time right at home. Pick a good thick-cut bacon, line a baking sheet with parchment, preheat the oven, and bake away. In less than 30 minutes, you'll have piles of perfectly cooked, crispy bacon ready to top anything from sandwiches to salads. With minimal splatters and less hassle than stovetop, oven-baked bacon is sure to be a go-to recipe.

Summary: Cooking bacon in the oven on a lined baking sheet results in crispy, evenly cooked strips with less mess and hassle than the stovetop. Choosing a thick-cut bacon, preheating the oven, and using the right bake time ensures delicious diner-worthy bacon every time.

FAQs

Why bake bacon in the oven?

Baking bacon in the oven allows for more even cooking and less splattering compared to pan frying. It also yields flat, crispy strips perfect for sandwiches and toppings.

What temperature should I bake bacon?

400°F is the ideal oven temperature for baking bacon. This high heat crisps up the bacon nicely without overcooking it.

How long do you bake bacon in the oven?

Thick-cut bacon takes 15-20 minutes in the oven. Thinner slices bake in 10-15 minutes. Adjust time up or down a few minutes for desired crispness.

Should bacon be arranged in single layer?

Yes, lay bacon slices in a single layer on the baking sheet, making sure none overlap. This allows the bacon to cook evenly.

Does baking bacon splatter less?

Cooking bacon in the oven produces minimal splatter compared to the stovetop. The lined pan contains grease drippings for easy cleanup.