Cooking bacon on the stovetop can be messy and time-consuming. If you’ve been looking for a way to get crispy, evenly cooked bacon without the grease splatters and constant monitoring, cooking bacon in the oven might just be your new go-to method. It’s straightforward, requires less attention, and delivers perfectly crispy bacon every time.
Why Cook Bacon in the Oven?
- Easy Prep: Just place the bacon on a baking sheet and pop it in the oven. No need to stand over the stove, so you can focus on other things.
- Even Cooking: The oven cooks the bacon evenly, so no more half-burnt, half-raw pieces like you sometimes get with stovetop cooking.
- Hands-Free: Once it’s in the oven, you can do other tasks or relax. No constant checking or flipping needed.
- Less Mess: Oven-cooking keeps the grease contained, so you won’t be dodging grease splatters or dealing with a messy stove (This is the main reason I make my bacon in the oven. I HATE cleaning up).
- Cook More at Once: The oven has more space, so it’s easier to cook a large batch—perfect for meal prepping or serving guests.
How to Cook Bacon in the Oven: Step-by-Step Instructions
Ready to try this method? Follow these simple steps to get perfect bacon every time.
What You’ll Need:
- Bacon (any type: thin, regular, or thick-cut)
- Baking sheet
- Aluminum foil or parchment paper
- Optional: A wire rack (for extra crispy bacon)
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F. This temperature works well for most types of bacon, whether you’re using thin, regular, or thick-cut slices.
- Prepare the Baking Sheet
Line your baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper. This helps with easy cleanup and prevents the bacon from sticking to the pan. If you like extra crispy bacon, you can place a wire rack on top of the lined baking sheet and arrange the bacon on the rack. The rack allows the heat to circulate around the bacon, ensuring that it cooks evenly and gets crispy on all sides.
- Arrange the Bacon
Lay the bacon slices out in a single layer on the baking sheet (or on the wire rack if you’re using one). Make sure the strips don’t overlap, as this can lead to uneven cooking. If you’re cooking a lot of bacon, you can use two baking sheets, but be sure to rotate them halfway through the cooking process for even results.
- Bake the Bacon
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the thickness of your bacon and how crispy you like it. Thin bacon will usually take about 10 to 12 minutes, while thick-cut bacon can take closer to 20 minutes. Keep an eye on the bacon during the last few minutes of cooking to prevent burning.
- Drain the Bacon
Once the bacon is cooked to your liking, remove the baking sheet from the oven. Use tongs to transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to drain off any excess grease.
- Save the Bacon Grease (Optional)
If you want to save the bacon grease for future cooking, allow it to cool slightly, then carefully pour it into a heat-safe container or jar. Store it in the fridge for up to a month, and use it in place of oil or butter for added flavor in various dishes.
Tips for Perfect Oven-Baked Bacon
- Start in a Cold Oven for a Different Texture: If you want to experiment with a different texture, try starting your bacon in a cold oven. Place the bacon in the oven before turning it on, and set the temperature to 425°F. As the oven heats up, the bacon will cook slowly and evenly, resulting in a slightly chewier texture with crisp edges.
- For Extra Crispiness, use a Wire Rack: If you prefer your bacon extra crispy, place a wire rack on top of the foil-lined baking sheet. The bacon will cook more evenly, and the fat will drip away, leaving you with perfectly crispy bacon. Just be sure to coat the rack with a bit of non-stick spray to prevent the bacon from sticking. (lin
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- Watch the Cooking Time: Bacon can go from perfectly crispy to burnt quickly, so it’s important to keep an eye on it during the last few minutes of cooking. Start checking your bacon at the 10-minute mark, especially if you’re using thin slices. Remember, bacon will continue to crisp up slightly after it’s removed from the oven, so it’s okay to take it out when it looks just under your desired crispiness level.
- Batch Cooking: If you’re cooking a lot of bacon at once, use multiple baking sheets and rotate them halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking. This is great for meal prepping or hosting a big breakfast gathering.
How to Add Flavor to Your Bacon
If you want to switch things up and add a little extra flavor to your bacon, here are a few simple ideas:
- Maple-Glazed Bacon: Brush your bacon slices with a bit of maple syrup before baking for a sweet, caramelized finish.
- Peppered Bacon: Sprinkle freshly cracked black pepper over the bacon before baking for a bold, savory kick.
- Spicy Bacon: If you like a bit of heat, sprinkle cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes on the bacon before cooking. This will give your bacon a nice spicy edge.
- Garlic-Parmesan Bacon: Add a sprinkle of garlic powder and grated Parmesan cheese to the bacon slices before baking for a delicious savory twist.
These flavor variations are easy to do and can add a whole new dimension to your bacon. Try experimenting with different spices and seasonings to find your perfect bacon flavor.
Save Bacon Grease!
After you’ve cooked your bacon, don’t let that delicious bacon grease go to waste! Bacon grease is a flavorful and versatile cooking fat that can be used in a variety of dishes. Here’s why you should save it and how to store it properly.
Why Save Bacon Grease?
Bacon grease adds a rich, smoky flavor to dishes. You can use it in place of butter or oil for frying eggs, sautéing vegetables, or roasting potatoes. It’s also great for adding a depth of flavor to soups, stews, and sauces. Using bacon grease is also an economical way to reduce waste and make the most out of your bacon.
How to Save Bacon Grease:
- After cooking your bacon, let the grease cool slightly but not so much that it solidifies.
- Carefully pour the grease into a heat-safe container or jar. A glass jar with a lid works well for this.
- Store the grease in the refrigerator. It will solidify and can be scooped out as needed. Bacon grease can be stored in the fridge for up to a month.
Cooking with Bacon Grease:
- Fried Eggs: Cook your eggs in bacon grease for a smoky, savory flavor that’s perfect for breakfast.
- Roasted Vegetables: Toss vegetables like Brussels sprouts or potatoes in melted bacon grease before roasting for added flavor.
- Cornbread: Add a spoonful of bacon grease to your cornbread batter for a richer, more flavorful result.
- Gravy: Use bacon grease as the fat in your gravy recipe for a delicious, smoky twist on the classic dish.
Storing and Reheating Bacon
If you have leftover bacon or you want to make a big batch to use throughout the week, here’s how to store and reheat it.
Storing Cooked Bacon:
- Allow the bacon to cool completely before storing it.
- Store cooked bacon in an airtight container or zip-top bag in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- For longer storage, cooked bacon can be frozen. Place the bacon slices in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze them until solid. Then transfer the frozen slices to a freezer-safe bag or container. Bacon can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Reheating Bacon:
- In the Microwave: Place bacon slices on a paper towel-lined plate and microwave for 20-30 seconds until heated through.
- In the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and place bacon slices on a baking sheet. Heat for 5-10 minutes until warmed and crispy.
- In the Skillet: Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the bacon for a minute or two on each side until heated through.
Enjoy!!!
Check another “How to” post: How to Boil a Perfect Egg – Step by step.