How to Cook Bacon in the Oven

How to Cook Bacon in the Oven

How to Cook Bacon in the Oven

The Best Way to Cook Bacon: Easy, Crispy, and No Mess

Are you tired of the mess and splatter when cooking bacon on the stovetop? Cooking bacon in the oven is the easiest and most efficient way to get crispy bacon every time—no flipping, no splatter, and no mess! This method allows you to cook large batches of bacon at once, making it perfect for breakfast, meal prep, or any occasion. Follow this simple guide and learn how to bake bacon the easy way—crispy, golden, and ready in minutes.

Why This Works So Well

Crispy & Even Every Time – Thanks to consistent oven heat, every strip of bacon comes out perfectly crispy, with no uneven cooking.
Big Batches – Cook a full tray of bacon in one go without worrying about crowding or batches.
Less Mess – Say goodbye to stovetop splatter. The oven keeps things clean!
Effortless – Just pop it in the oven and walk away. No need to monitor it constantly.
Perfect for Meal Prep – Bake a big batch and enjoy bacon all week long for quick breakfasts or salads.

Ingredients for Cooking Bacon in the Oven

1 lb of bacon – Thin, regular, or thick-cut
Optional: Aluminum foil or parchment paper for easier cleanup

Essential Equipment
Rimmed baking sheet – To catch the grease and prevent spills
Oven-safe wire rack – Optional, but highly recommended for crispier bacon

Optional Tools
Tongs & paper towels – For transferring and draining the cooked bacon

Instructions: How to Cook Bacon in the Oven

Step 1: Preheat Oven to 400°F
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This temperature is the sweet spot for crispy, golden bacon that’s cooked through without burning.

Step 2: Prepare Your Pan
Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup. If you’re using a wire rack, place it on top of the baking sheet. This allows the fat to drip off and helps the bacon crisp up even more.

Step 3: Arrange the Bacon
Lay the bacon strips in a single layer on the baking sheet or wire rack. The bacon can be close together, but don’t overlap the strips. If using a rack, the bacon will cook evenly without needing to flip.

Step 4: Bake the Bacon
Thin-cut bacon: Bake for 15–19 minutes
Regular-cut bacon: Bake for 18–23 minutes
Thick-cut bacon: Bake for 22–26 minutes
Keep an eye on the bacon as it bakes. When it’s browned and crispy, it’s done! No flipping necessary if using a rack.

Step 5: Drain & Cool
Once the bacon is cooked to your desired crispiness, transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate. Blot to remove excess grease. The bacon will crisp even more as it cools.

Pro Tips for Perfect Oven-Baked Bacon

Use a rack for best crispiness – The rack allows air to circulate around the bacon, helping it crisp up evenly and letting the fat drip off.
Crowded bacon? No problem! – You can nudge the bacon slices together before baking. Just spread them out halfway through for even cooking.
Don’t overcook! – Bacon continues to crisp as it cools, so pull it out just before it looks “done.”
Smoke-sensitive kitchen? – Add a tablespoon of water to the baking sheet (below the rack) to prevent smoke.
Save the grease – Pour hot bacon grease into a jar through a strainer and refrigerate it for up to 3 months. Use it for cooking or frying!

How to Store & Reheat Oven-Baked Bacon

Fridge: Store cooked bacon in a sealed container for up to 5 days.
Freezer: Place bacon in freezer bags for up to 3 months.
Reheat: To reheat, simply microwave bacon for 20–30 seconds or warm it in a skillet until crispy.

Ways to Use Oven-Cooked Bacon

Classic Breakfast: Serve with scrambled eggs, toast, and avocado for a hearty breakfast.
Salads: Crumble bacon over a Cobb, wedge, or Caesar salad for added flavor.
Soups: Stir into bacon cheeseburger soup or broccoli cheddar soup.
Casseroles: Add bacon to a chicken bacon ranch casserole or a cauliflower bake.
Side Dishes: Try it with Brussels sprouts or fried cabbage.
Appetizers: Serve with jalapeño poppers or deviled eggs.
Sandwiches: Use in a classic BLT or a club sandwich.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How long to cook bacon in the oven at 180°C (350°F)?
A: At 350°F (180°C), bacon takes 25–30 minutes to cook, depending on thickness. This is a lower temperature, but it works well for evenly crisp bacon.

Q: How long does it take to bake bacon at 400°F?
A: At 400°F, thin-cut bacon cooks in 15–19 minutes, regular-cut bacon takes 18–23 minutes, and thick-cut bacon takes 22–26 minutes.

Q: How do I cook bacon in the oven without splattering?
A: Using a wire rack keeps the bacon elevated and allows the fat to drip off, preventing splattering and creating extra-crispy bacon.

Q: What temperature to cook bacon in the oven?
A: For crispy, golden bacon, bake it at 400°F (200°C). This high heat ensures the bacon cooks evenly and crisps up perfectly.

Conclusion

The best way to cook bacon is actually the easiest: just pop it in the oven! With this simple method, you’ll get perfectly crispy bacon every time without the mess. Plus, it’s ideal for cooking large batches for meal prep or family breakfasts. Once you try this oven-baked bacon, you’ll never go back to frying on the stovetop again!