How to Cook Bacon in the Oven

Name: How to Cook Bacon in the Oven
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Ingredients: 10 slices bacon; pinch cayenne pepper; sprig fresh rosemary (chopped)

By FoodfaithfitnessFeb 26, 2024Jump to Recipe

Cook Bacon in the Oven—get large batches of crispy, juicy bacon every time and say goodbye to the grease splashes that come with using a frying pan.

Table of Contents

You know how to cook bacon, right? I’ve covered it numerous times on the site. Really, it comes down to convenience. Do you have time to nurse the strips as they cook in their grease atop a stove? Do you have the ointment on hand to apply to your arms when they inevitably take a shot of grease? Do you have the focus necessary to constantly change up the bacon and put a new batch on? And do this enough times to feed the small army you have coming over for brunch? Do you want to spend an inordinate amount of time cleaning your pan afterwards?

If you answered yes to all these questions, you are more a master of the kitchen than I.

For the rest of us mere mortals, I suggest doing the bacon in the oven. No errant splats of grease, no “helicopter cooking” (Is that a term?), and enough space to accommodate large batches at once. And yes, the bacon will taste just as good as any other method you may have adopted. Got brunch? Get bakin’ that bacon!

Is Bacon Healthy?

Wellllllll, not exactly. Bacon is high in sodium and saturated fat, so those watching their intake of both may want to limit the amount of bacon consumed or avoid it altogether. For others, they may like to know that bacon contains protein and is relatively low in calories. It can also be enjoyed as part of gluten-free, low-carb, paleo, keto, and whole30 diets.

INGREDIENTS

10 slices bacon
pinch of cayenne pepper
sprig of fresh rosemary, chopped

INSTRUCTIONS

Prep

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.

Season

Arrange the bacon slices on the parchment paper. Season with cayenne pepper and chopped rosemary.

Cook

Cook the bacon for 10–15 minutes in the oven, until browned and crispy. Remove the tray from the oven and transfer the bacon to a cooling rack.

DEVOUR!

Tips & Tricks to Making Perfect Bacon In The Oven

Spread the bacon out on the tray (i.e., no overlapping) to ensure even cooking and a crispy finish.
Use a wire rack if you have one. This way, the heat will have access to the bacon from all angles.
If you don’t have parchment paper, you can use aluminum foil instead (just give it a touch of nonstick spray).
Dab the cooked bacon with a paper towel to remove any excess grease. This will also keep it crispy.
Don’t forget to store the grease after you let it cool. It will come in handy, I’m sure.

FAQs

how many slices of bacon should i do at a time?

It really depends on the size of your baking pan, but I am usually able to fit 12 slices comfortably. If I need more, I grab another pan and fit the pair beside each other on the rack.

what else can i do to ensure crispy bacon?

Aside from the tips I’ve imparted, one other thing you can do is put the bacon in a cold oven then turn up the heat. Heating the bacon gradually “melts” the fat and leaves it crispy.

can i do this with chicken/turkey bacon?

Yep. Pretty much any kind of bacon can be cooked this way. The thickness of the bacon will influence the cooking times so bear that in mind.

do i need to flip the bacon at any point?

No. As long as you don’t overcrowd the pan, the bacon should cook sufficiently without your interference. If you have a wire rack, using it will take the stress out of whether your bacon is getting the heat it needs.

Serving Suggestions

Though bacon can be served as part of sandwiches, salads, and pizzas, just to name a few, I still consider it primarily a breakfast dish. With that in mind, you can serve any number of morning meals alongside it, like Blueberry Oatmeal with Cheesecake Swirl, a healthy dish with a slight sweetness and a great way to start your day. You can also layer the bacon strips between Cottage-Cheese Pancakes—what a protein boost! And, of course, you have eggs as an option—be they served over-easy, over-medium, scrambled, or as part of a Shakshuka.

How to Prep and Store Oven-Baked Bacon

Bacon can totally be made ahead of time, which will come as a relief for those expecting lots of guests for brunch. Just cook them up, let them cool, wrap them in paper towel, then store them in an airtight container (a resealable bag will do nicely). When you’re ready, just keep them wrapped in the paper towel and microwave them for 15 seconds at a time. Use the fridge-stored bacon within 4 days. You can also freeze the bacon. Lay the strips out on a cooking tray then place it all in the freezer. Once the strips have stiffened, remove the tray and put the bacon in freezer-safe bags or an airtight container. You can then let them thaw overnight in the fridge or microwave the frozen bacon for 30-second intervals.

Recipe