Bacon in the Oven- An Easy, Low Mess Option
Cooking bacon in the oven is a common technique used by restaurants world wide. They have been using this technique for eons because they can cook large beautifully even cooked batches of crispy bacon with relatively little mess and very little man power. We can reap the same benefits at home!
Also Read: Easy Immersion Blender Hollandaise, Dutch Oven Pancake, Strawberry Rhubarb Fruit Sauce
How To Make Bacon in the Oven
- Line a rimmed baking sheet (the rim is critical for catching drippings) with aluminum foil or parchment paper to make clean up super easy. You can absolutely do it without lining the baking sheet, see tips below for easy pan clean up.
- Place bacon strips on sheet making sure they don’t overlap (overlapping pieces will stick together and won’t get crispy).
- Insert into cold oven on middle rack. For big batches, use multiple racks – you may need to add a little more to baking time.
- Set oven to 400°F (205°C).
- Bake for 15-20 (time varies depending on your oven and the thickness of your bacon). Flipping is optional.
- Pro Tip: Add a little fresh cracked black pepper, maple syrup or brown sugar in the last few minutes of baking.
- Carefully remove pan(s) from the oven to avoid spilling any drippings (this is the trickiest part).
- Remove bacon immediately otherwise it will continue to cook in the hot oil.
- Place on paper towel lined plate to soak up grease.
- Pour grease from pan into a small heat-proof glass bowl. Store in fridge to use next time you’re frying up something delicious.
- Enjoy your bacon.
Benefits of Oven Baking
Oven bacon doesn’t necessarily taste any better than fried bacon, but it is
- quicker to cook large batches
- less messy
- more evenly cooked
- less scary – no nasty hot oil splatters landing on you or your clothing
- easy, hands off cooking so you can work on other things
We’ve been oven baking our bacon since 2014 and we haven looked back!
What to Serve With Bacon
You probably don’t need a list of things to eat with bacon! Use it wherever you need a little salty, crispy bite – on pizza, soups, sandwiches, pasta, salads etc.
If you’re looking for breakfast ideas, try these:
Apple Cranberry French Toast Bake
French Toast Fingers with Stewed Rhubarb
I hope you give it a try and are happy with the results. When you do try it, let me know how it goes either down below or on Instagram @getgettys.
Cook with the seasons, effortlessly! I’m Getty, a food educator and Professional Home Economist, helping you select, store, and serve seasonal ingredients in delicious, simple, everyday meals. Sign up for seasonal tips and recipes delivered straight to your inbox, and dive deeper with my books, guides, or YouTube content.