How To Cook Bacon In The Oven

Making Bacon in the Oven is simple and splatter-free!

There’s no need to stand over a splattering pan of bacon with this handy method. What’s even better is that this effortless method makes perfect crispy bacon every time.

Great for breakfast, BLT sandwiches, and adding crumbled bacon to recipes.

crispy bacon on a sheet pan to show How to Cook Bacon in the Oven

Oven Cooked Bacon

Much like air fryer bacon, this is one of the best and easiest ways to cook bacon.
Baking bacon in the oven means no splattering mess like pan-fried in a skillet.
There is no need to babysit or flip the bacon over. Simply bake.
Baking bacon in the oven is quick, and there’s still plenty of grease to save in the pan for baking other things.
This crispy bacon is good for sandwiches, crumbling into Caesar salad, sprinkling on mashed potatoes, and adding to a breakfast casserole.

Use Any Kind of Bacon

American Bacon is the most common type of bacon. This popular cut comes from the belly of the pig and tends to be a fatty cut of meat. Flavored bacon (like maple or peppered) is great oven-baked too.

Thick-cut bacon works well in the oven. This bacon is cut about 1/8″ thick so it will need a bit more time. If you check it at 20 minutes and it needs more time flip it over and pop it back into the oven for a bit.

Turkey bacon, which is a bit leaner, does work. It will require less cooking time in the oven at the same temperature to ensure it doesn’t dry out.

bacon on a baking sheet with parchment to show How To Cook Bacon In The Oven

Preparing the Pan

There is no need for a wire rack or cooling rack to cook bacon. The bacon slices can be cooked directly on the baking pan. It will crisp nicely baked in the fat.

Line the pan with foil and/or parchment for easy cleanup.

How to Cook Bacon in the Oven

Preheat oven to 400°F per the recipe below.
Place bacon on the prepared rimmed baking sheet.
Bake until bacon reaches the desired level of crispiness (no need to flip it), about 20 minutes.
Remove bacon from the pan & place on paper towels to drain the grease.

For turkey bacon: Arrange on a sheet and cook for 11-13 minutes.

For thick-cut bacon: Cook at the same temperature but for the full 20 minutes. Because the bacon is so thick it may need to be flipped and cooked a few minutes extra.

Tips for Crispy Oven Bacon

For easy cleanup, line a rimmed sheet pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper before adding the strips of bacon.
Ensure the bacon slices are in a single layer, overlapping pieces won’t crisp as well.
If you’re making larger batches of bacon, use two pans and switch the placement of the pans after about 10 minutes. You may need to add a few minutes of cooking time.
Preheat the oven before adding the bacon to the pan.

Save The Bacon Grease

cooked bacon on a plate to show How To Cook Bacon In The Oven

Storage

Leftover bacon can be kept in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or frozen for up to 2 months.

Use bacon right from frozen, it thaws in just a couple of minutes.

Uses for Cooked Bacon

Have you made this crispy oven bacon? Let us know your favorite tips for cooking bacon in the oven below!

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How To Cook Bacon In The Oven

Follow this easy recipe to cook perfectly golden-crispy bacon every time!

Cook Time 18 minutes

Total Time 18 minutes

Preheat oven to 400°F. If desired, line pan with foil and/or parchment paper for easy clean up.
Arrange bacon in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet.
Bake for 12 minutes. Check on the bacon and continue cooking for an additional 6 to 8 minutes* or as needed until the bacon is crisp. Thick cut bacon will need extra time.
Transfer to paper towel lined plate. If desired, allow bacon fat to cool 10 minutes and reserve in a jar for cooking.

*Be sure to check the bacon early. Cooking time can vary based on the pan used as well as the brand of bacon.
Store brand bacon is often cut very thin and can sometimes cook faster than national brands. Check it early!
For easy cleanup, line a rimmed sheet pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper before adding the strips of bacon. No baking rack is required.
Ensure the bacon slices are in a single layer, overlapping pieces won’t crisp as well.
If you’re making larger batches of bacon, use two pans and switch the placement of the pans after about 10 minutes. You may need to add a few minutes of cooking time.
Keep leftover bacon in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven, in the microwave, or the air fryer.

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Breakfast, Pork

Cuisine American

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