Bacon is one of life’s greatest pleasures, but cooking it can be a messy, time-consuming hassle. If you’ve been frying your bacon on the stovetop and dealing with grease splatters, flipping each piece, and struggling to get even crispiness, you’ve been doing it wrong! There’s a better, easier, and less messy way to cook bacon, and it involves none other than your oven.
This method ensures perfectly crispy, evenly cooked bacon with minimal cleanup. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or just want a few slices for breakfast, baking bacon in the oven is the hassle-free solution you’ve been looking for.
Why Oven-Baked Bacon is the Best
There are several reasons why baking bacon is the superior method:
- Even Cooking: The oven allows heat to circulate evenly, meaning every slice of bacon cooks uniformly without the need for flipping.
- Less Mess: No more standing over the stove with grease splattering everywhere. The oven keeps the mess contained.
- More Hands-Off: Once the bacon is in the oven, you can set a timer and forget about it until it’s done, giving you time to prepare the rest of your meal.
- Cook for a Crowd: The oven allows you to cook large batches of bacon at once, perfect for brunch or when feeding a group.
Now, let’s dive into the easiest way to cook bacon and some tips to make it even better.
The Best Way to Cook Bacon: Oven-Baked Method
What You’ll Need:
- Bacon: Thick-cut or regular slices, depending on your preference.
- Baking sheet: A rimmed baking sheet to contain the grease.
- Parchment paper or aluminum foil: For easy cleanup.
- Wire rack (optional): Helps with airflow for extra crispy bacon.
Instructions:
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This temperature ensures the bacon cooks evenly and crisps up without burning.
Step 2: Line Your Baking Sheet
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. This makes cleanup a breeze, as it catches all the grease.
- If you want extra crispy bacon, place a wire rack on top of the baking sheet. This allows the bacon to cook evenly from all sides as the fat drips down, but you can skip the rack if you prefer your bacon a bit chewier.
Step 3: Arrange the Bacon
- Lay the bacon slices in a single layer on the lined baking sheet. Make sure the slices aren’t overlapping, as this will help them cook more evenly.
Step 4: Bake the Bacon
- Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the bacon for 15-20 minutes. The exact time will depend on the thickness of your bacon and how crispy you like it.
- For regular-cut bacon: Check after 12-15 minutes.
- For thick-cut bacon: It may take up to 20 minutes.
Step 5: Drain and Serve
- Once the bacon is golden brown and crispy, remove it from the oven and transfer the slices to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess grease.
- Serve your perfectly cooked bacon immediately or store it for later use.
Tips for the Best Oven-Baked Bacon
- Start with a cold oven for chewier bacon: If you prefer chewier bacon, place the bacon in a cold oven and let it heat up with the oven. This will slow down the cooking process, resulting in softer bacon.
- Use a wire rack for crispiness: As mentioned earlier, using a wire rack ensures the bacon crisps up from all sides by allowing the fat to drip away. This method is ideal if you love extra crispy bacon.
- Save the bacon grease: Don’t toss that bacon grease! Once cooled, pour it into a jar and use it for cooking eggs, roasting vegetables, or adding flavor to other dishes.
- Season it up: For a fun twist, sprinkle your bacon with black pepper, brown sugar, or even a bit of maple syrup before baking for extra flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I cook bacon without parchment paper or foil?
Yes, you can cook bacon directly on the baking sheet. However, lining the sheet makes cleanup much easier, especially since bacon releases a lot of grease.
What temperature should I bake bacon at?
Baking at 400°F (200°C) is ideal for most ovens, providing the perfect balance between even cooking and crispiness. However, if you prefer slower cooking or have a particularly hot oven, you can reduce the temperature to 350°F (175°C)and bake a bit longer.
How do I store leftover bacon?
Store any leftover bacon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat it in the microwave or a skillet for a quick snack or addition to meals.
Can I freeze cooked bacon?
Absolutely! Freezing cooked bacon is a great way to have it on hand for quick meals. After baking, allow the bacon to cool completely, then place the slices in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze. Once frozen, transfer the bacon to a freezer-safe bag and store for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.
What should I do with the leftover bacon grease?
Bacon grease is liquid gold in the kitchen! Once the grease has cooled slightly, pour it into a heat-proof jar and store it in the refrigerator. Use it to fry eggs, sauté vegetables, or even add flavor to popcorn.
If you’ve been frying your bacon on the stovetop all these years, it’s time to switch to the oven-baked method. Not only does it give you perfectly crispy, evenly cooked bacon, but it also saves time, reduces mess, and allows you to cook large batches at once. Whether you’re making breakfast for the family, preparing a bacon-filled recipe, or meal prepping for the week, oven-baked bacon is the easiest, most hassle-free way to get the job done.
Give this method a try, and you’ll never go back to frying bacon on the stovetop again!
