If you have ever wished for perfectly crispy, evenly cooked bacon without the mess and fuss of frying, then I cannot wait to share this simple and foolproof Oven Baked Bacon Recipe with you. This method gives you beautifully cooked bacon slices every single time, with less grease splatter and minimal cleanup, making it an absolute game changer for breakfast, brunch, or even a savory snack. Trust me, once you try oven baked bacon, your stovetop will never feel quite the same.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Oven Baked Bacon Recipe lies in its simplicity. With just a few basic ingredients, you get that rich, salty, crispy bacon flavor and texture that makes every meal better. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in achieving that perfect balance of crunch and chew, while the simplicity means anyone can master this technique in minutes.
- Bacon (12 oz regular sliced or 16 oz thick sliced): Choose your favorite cut to control the crispiness and thickness for your personal taste, whether it’s the traditional regular cut or a heartier thick slice.
- Parchment paper: This is your cleanup superhero—lining the baking sheet prevents sticking and makes cleanup faster and easier by catching all the grease.
How to Make Oven Baked Bacon Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Begin by heating your oven to a sizzling 400˚F. This temperature is just right to coax the bacon into crisping beautifully without burning. While the oven warms, line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper, ensuring the bacon won’t stick and that you won’t have to scrub later. This step saves you time and trouble yet makes a big difference.
Step 2: Arrange the Bacon
Lay out your bacon slices on the prepared baking sheet. Position the slices so they are touching but not overlapping, allowing the heat to circulate around each strip for even cooking. This arrangement helps the bacon cook uniformly, preventing undercooked spots or burnt edges, so you can enjoy perfect strips throughout.
Step 3: Bake to Crispy Perfection
Place the baking sheet in the oven and let the magic happen. Regular cut bacon cooks comfortably in 15 to 20 minutes, while thick-cut slices need a bit more time—around 20 to 28 minutes. Remember, the exact timing depends on your bacon’s fat content and how crispy you want it. If you’re baking two sheets at once, swap their positions halfway through to ensure even baking on both racks. This patience rewards you with bacon that is crisp but still tender in the center.
Step 4: Drain and Serve
When your oven baked bacon reaches the ideal level of crispiness, carefully use tongs to transfer each strip to a plate lined with paper towels. This drains excess grease, keeping the bacon perfectly crisp. Serve your bacon right away or use it to elevate other dishes, because it’s simply that versatile.
How to Serve Oven Baked Bacon Recipe
Garnishes
Oven baked bacon pairs wonderfully with a sprinkle of fresh cracked black pepper or a dash of smoked paprika if you want to add a little kick and smoky depth. For a sweeter balance, try drizzling a touch of maple syrup or honey just before serving to tie in the salty and sweet harmony.
Side Dishes
This bacon is the perfect companion for a fluffy stack of pancakes, scrambled eggs, or a fresh garden salad to add savory crunch. It also elevates breakfast sandwiches or can be tossed into a warm pasta dish or baked potato for that irresistible umami boost.
Creative Ways to Present
For a playful twist, wrap your oven baked bacon around asparagus spears or jalapeño poppers before baking to introduce smoky aroma and delightful textures. You can also crumble it over avocado toast or blend it into deviled eggs for an irresistible flavor punch. The possibilities with this bacon are endless!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftover oven baked bacon, simply place the cooled strips in an airtight container lined with paper towels to absorb moisture. Stored in the refrigerator, they will stay tasty and crisp enough for 4 to 5 days, making it easy to enjoy bacon throughout the week without re-cooking.
Freezing
Want to keep your bacon even longer? Lay individual cooled bacon slices on a parchment-lined tray and freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe zip-top bag for easy portioning. Frozen oven baked bacon retains its vibrant flavor for up to a month and thaws quickly when you’re ready for it.
Reheating
To bring your leftover bacon back to life, warm it gently in a skillet over medium-low heat or pop it in the oven for a few minutes at 350ËšF until it crisps back up. Avoid microwaving if possible, as that can make the bacon chewy. This helps retain that irresistible crunch and savory aroma just like freshly baked.
FAQs
Can I use turkey bacon for the Oven Baked Bacon Recipe?
Absolutely! Turkey bacon can be baked using this method, but keep in mind it usually cooks faster and may require less time in the oven due to its lower fat content. Watch closely towards the end to prevent drying out.
Is parchment paper absolutely necessary?
While not mandatory, parchment paper makes your life so much easier by preventing sticking and catching grease, saving you from a messy cleanup. If you don’t have parchment, a wire rack on the baking sheet can work, but expect more splatter.
What if I want really crispy bacon?
If crispy is your goal, extend the baking time by a few minutes and keep a close eye on the bacon to make sure it does not burn. Thick-cut bacon might take longer to reach maximum crunch, so patience is key.
Can I bake bacon at a lower temperature?
You can bake bacon at lower temperatures, but it will take longer and might not crisp as well. 400ËšF hits the sweet spot for evenly cooked, crispy bacon with a great texture.
How many slices of bacon does one batch make?
This recipe calls for 12 oz of regular sliced bacon, which usually yields about 12 slices, enough for 6 to 6 people depending on serving size and appetite. Multiply the ingredients for bigger groups to keep everyone happy.
Final Thoughts
Now that you’ve got the lowdown on this amazing Oven Baked Bacon Recipe, I hope you’re as excited as I am to get that bacon sizzling in your own kitchen. It’s a simple, hands-off way to achieve perfect bacon every time without the mess or stress. Whether it’s for breakfast, layering on salads, or sneaking bites by itself, oven baked bacon is sure to become a staple in your cooking routine. Give it a try and enjoy all the crispy, savory goodness that only bacon can bring!
Print
Oven Baked Bacon Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Oven Baked Bacon Recipe delivers perfectly crispy bacon with minimal mess and effort. Baking bacon in the oven allows for even cooking and easy cleanup, producing consistently delicious results whether you prefer regular sliced or thick-cut bacon. This straightforward method is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or anytime you crave crispy, savory bacon.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 12 oz regular sliced bacon (or 16 oz thick-sliced bacon)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400ËšF (204ËšC) and line a half sheet rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and facilitate easy cleanup.
- Arrange the Bacon: Lay the bacon slices on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer so they are touching but not overlapping to ensure even cooking.
- Bake the Bacon: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake regular sliced bacon for 15-20 minutes or thick-cut bacon for 20-28 minutes. Cooking times will vary based on the bacon’s fat content and your preferred level of crispiness. If cooking two sheets at once, rotate them halfway through baking for even heat distribution.
- Drain and Serve: Once the bacon reaches your desired crispiness, use tongs to transfer the slices to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess grease. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Use parchment paper or a wire rack on the baking sheet for easier cleanup.
- Watch the bacon closely near the end of baking time to avoid burning.
- Thicker bacon requires longer baking times than regular sliced bacon.
- Rotating baking sheets halfway when cooking multiple sheets ensures uniform cooking.
- Drain bacon well on paper towels to remove extra grease for crispier texture.
