The Ultimate Guide to Making Perfect Bacon in the Oven

If you’re looking for an easy and delicious way to cook bacon, then look no further than your oven! Cooking bacon in the oven is a simple and hassle-free method that produces crispy, savory bacon without the mess of stove-top frying.

To get started, preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with foil. Place your bacon strips on the foil, making sure they do not overlap. Pop the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy. You can adjust the cooking time to your liking – if you prefer your bacon a little chewier, take it out a few minutes earlier. Once it’s done, simply remove it from the oven, transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate to drain, and enjoy your delicious bacon!

10 Steps to Make Bacon in the Oven

Step 1: Select the Right Bacon

Choosing the right bacon is the first and the foremost step to make delicious bacon in the oven. Select bacon that is neither too thin nor too thick. Thin bacon will get crispy too quickly and thick bacon will take too long to cook. Look for bacon slices that have consistent thickness.

Step 2: Preheat the Oven

Before you start preparing your bacon, preheat your oven to 400°F. This will ensure that your bacon is evenly cooked and crispy.

Step 3: Line a Baking Sheet with Foil

Cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Make sure to cover the entire baking sheet and leave no gaps. This will prevent the bacon from sticking to the tray and make the cleaning process easier.

Step 4: Place the Bacon Strips on the Baking Sheet

Lay the bacon strips on the prepared baking sheet. Make sure the bacon slices are not overlapping. Overlapping the bacon strips will result in unevenly cooked bacon.

Step 5: Add Flavor with Seasonings

Add some extra flavor to your bacon by sprinkling on some seasoning. A combination of black pepper and brown sugar works wonders, or experiment with your own favorite seasoning.

Step 6: Bake the Bacon

Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the bacon for around 15-20 minutes. Keep an eye on the bacon, as cooking times may vary depending on the thickness of your bacon.

Step 7: Check on Your Bacon and Drain the Grease

Check on your bacon halfway through the cooking time. Use a pair of tongs to turn over any bacon slices that are not cooking evenly. Once the bacon is cooked, remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the bacon drain on a paper towel to remove the excess grease.

Step 8: Let Your Bacon Cool

It’s important to let your bacon cool down a bit before serving. This will help it to become crispier. So, let your bacon rest on a paper towel for a few minutes before serving.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy!

Finally, it’s time to serve and enjoy! You can serve your bacon with eggs, toast, and whatever else you like. The possibilities are endless!

Step 10: Store any Leftover Bacon

If you have any leftover bacon, you can store it in a resealable plastic bag in the fridge. To reheat, simply pop it in the oven for a few minutes or microwave it for 15-20 seconds. Voila! Perfectly cooked bacon again.

Preparation for Bacon in Oven

Bacon is perhaps one of the easiest dishes to cook, but it requires a certain level of attention to detail to make sure it comes out perfectly. Here are ten preparation tips to help you achieve the best bacon in the oven:

1. Choose the Right Bacon

Choose bacon that is uniform in thickness and has enough fat content. It is the fat in the bacon that gives it that delicious, crispy texture. Buy thick-cut bacon that is about 1/4 inch thick and has a good percentage of fat-to-meat ratio.

2. Prepare the Oven and the Baking Sheet

Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This will prevent the bacon from sticking to the pan. Make sure to lay the bacon in a single layer on the baking sheet, leaving a little space between each strip.

3. Use a Wire Rack

Using a wire rack will raise the bacon off the baking sheet and allow air to circulate around it. This will help to reduce the greasiness of the bacon while cooking and prevent it from becoming overly greasy.

4. Season the Bacon

Seasoning your bacon is not a must, but it does add flavor to it. You can add a sprinkle of black pepper or brown sugar depending on your preference.

5. Cover the Bacon with Foil

Covering the bacon with foil for the first 10 to 15 minutes of cooking will help to contain the mess and prevent the bacon from burning or drying out.

6. Monitor the Bacon to Prevent Burning

Check on the bacon every 5-7 minutes. If it’s starting to brown too quickly, you may need to reduce your oven temperature or move it to a lower rack.

7. Drain the Grease

Once the bacon is cooked to your liking, remove it from the oven and use tongs to transfer it to a lined plate. Allow the bacon to drain on the plate for 1-2 minutes to remove any excess grease.

8. Save the Bacon Grease

Bacon grease can be a valuable kitchen ingredient that can be used for cooking and flavoring many dishes. Once the grease has cooled down, pour it into a jar and store it in your refrigerator.

9. Clean Up the Baking Sheet

Before washing the baking sheet, allow it to cool for a few minutes. Once it’s cool enough to handle, remove the parchment paper, and dispose of it in the trash. You can then wash the baking sheet as usual.

10. Serve and Enjoy!

Once the bacon has cooled and drained, it’s time to serve and enjoy. The possibilities for using bacon are endless. You can add it to your breakfast sandwich or burger, crumble it on top of a salad, or simply enjoy it as a snack. The choice is yours!

Section 3: Tips and Tricks for Perfectly Cooked Oven Bacon

1. Choosing the Right Bacon

When it comes to selecting the bacon for oven baking, the choices are vast. From thick cut to thin, applewood smoked to maple flavored, it can be overwhelming. Most importantly, choose a bacon that is fresh and free of excess moisture. Excess moisture can lead to bacon that cooks unevenly and doesn’t crisp up properly. In terms of thickness, medium to thick-cut bacon works best for oven cooking. Thinly sliced bacon can overcook and become burnt in the oven.

2. Prepping the Bacon for the Oven

Before placing the bacon in the oven, there are a few steps to take. Firstly, preheat the oven to 400° F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil, which makes the cleaning process easier. Arrange the bacon on the baking sheet without overlapping to ensure even cooking. It’s also important to pat the bacon with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture and sprinkle with black pepper or dried herbs for added flavor.

3. Positioning the Oven Rack

The position of the oven rack plays a crucial role in getting perfectly cooked oven bacon. Position the rack in the center of the oven, so the heat is evenly distributed and the bacon cooks uniformly. Placing the rack at too low or too high level can lead to either undercooked or burnt bacon, respectively.

4. Checking the Bacon Frequently

It’s important to keep an eye on the bacon while it’s in the oven to prevent burning or overcooking. Check the bacon after about 10 minutes of cooking and turn it over to cook the other side. Depending on the thickness of the bacon, it may take anywhere from 15-25 minutes to cook in the oven. Once the bacon is golden brown and crispy, remove it from the oven and transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate to remove excess grease.

5. Storing and Reheating Leftover Bacon

If you’ve made extra bacon, it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat leftover bacon, place it on a microwave-safe plate and heat in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or until warm. Alternatively, you can reheat the bacon in the oven at 350° F for 5-7 minutes or until heated through. Avoid reheating bacon in the toaster or toaster oven, as it can cause a fire hazard.

In summary, oven bacon is a hassle-free and delicious way to enjoy crispy and flavorful bacon. By selecting the right bacon, prepping it properly, positioning the oven rack, checking the bacon frequently, and reheating leftover bacon correctly, you can achieve a perfect result every time. With these tips and tricks, you can make your bacon dreams come true in the oven.

That’s How You Make Bacon in Oven!

Now you know how to make delicious crispy bacon without the mess and hassle on the stove-top. The next time you are planning a breakfast or brunch menu, remember this easy trick. The best part is that you can make a large batch at one time and store it in the refrigerator for quick and easy breakfasts during the week. Thank you for reading and come back for more kitchen tips and tricks from us! Happy cooking!