Published 6/29/2023 • Updated 11/5/2024 Whether you like crispy bacon or thick and chewy bacon, cooking bacon in the oven is fool-proof and seriously the best way to cook bacon ever! Stovetop bacon is the first way I ever learned how to cook bacon. It’s a great method for quickly whipping up a few pieces (and also can be quite messy). If you’re hoping to for little-to-no clean-up and bacon for the masses, oven bacon is the way to go! Whenever we stay at the cabin with a bunch of people, we line a couple of baking sheets with bacon for baking so that we can use the stovetop for other things such as pancakes or scrambled eggs.
What You Need for Bacon in the Oven
Before we get started with the actual recipe, there are a few things you’re going to need to cook bacon in the oven. First and foremost…BACON. Hands-Off: There is no sautéing or flipping involved. Once you line your bacon on the wire rack, pop it in the oven until it’s done! Less of a Mess: No splatter means a super simple clean-up! When cooking bacon on the stove, bacon grease gets literally everywhere. By cooking it in the oven, the grease drips onto tin foil for super simple clean-up! Cook a Lot at Once: Instead of batch-cooking your bacon on the stove, you can cook up to 2 lbs. at once depending on the size of your oven. It truly is perfect for cooking for a crowd. Perfect Every Time: The bacon cooks super evenly and your bacon comes out literally perfect every time.
Bacon
Bacon is the only ingredient you need in order to make perfect baked bacon. Crazy, right? There are a lot of different kinds of bacon on the market and to be honest, it’s all about preference. Are you a thin and crunchy bacon kind of person or a thick and chewy bacon kind of person? Whatever kind you prefer, they all work! My one piece of advice is to spend a little extra money to buy high-quality bacon that is free of nitrates and additives.
Metal Baking Rack
A metal baking rack is an important part of this recipe, so don’t skip it! The low down on a metal baking rack is that it allows your bacon to cook more evenly because the fat falls off of the bacon onto the cookie sheet.
Thin: for ultra-quick cooking, crispy bacon Medium: for perfectly in-between bacon Thick: for a thicker, chewier bacon
If you can imagine bacon sizzling on the stovetop in its own grease. It bubbles, curls, and burns easier. By cooking bacon on a metal rack, the grease falls to the bottom and allows your bacon to cook more evenly. Do I have to use a metal baking rack? We’ve used this recipe without a metal baking rack and it still works. However, the bacon does not come out as evenly cooked and it is a bit of a mess because the bacon is sitting in bacon grease.
Baking Sheet (with Aluminum foil)
Whatever you do, DON’T FORGET TO THE BAKING SHEET WITH FOIL. The baking sheet is what’s going to catch all of that grease as it falls off the meat. If you forget the baking sheet, it’s going to drip all over your oven and that isn’t fun for anyone.
How to Bake Bacon
Who’s ready for the most perfect oven baked bacon on the planet? This is an easy, fool-proof tutorial for cooking bacon in the oven. Best part? Breakfast is served in less than 30 minutes!
Thin: 10-15 minutes Medium: 15-20 minutes Thick: 20-25 minutes
Once your bacon is at the desired texture, remove it from the oven and let rest for a few minutes to cool down. Then, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and use a few pieces more of paper towel to remove excess grease.
5 Tips for Cooking Bacon in the Oven PERFECTLY Every Time
Healthy Breakfast Pairings
Because every piece of bacon deserves to be served next to something delicious. Here are some easy breakfast pairings for you to eat your baked bacon with!
Protein Waffles Sweet Potato Hash Browns Sweet Potato Crust Quiche Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs How to Bake Eggs in the Oven Sheet Pan Sweet Potato Hash Perfect Scrambled Eggs Banana Pancakes
How to Store Cooked Bacon
Let bacon cool completely, then transfer it into an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3-5 days.
How to Reheat Cooked Bacon
The easiest way to reheat cooked bacon is in the microwave. Place bacon on a microwave-safe plate. Then place a piece of paper towel on top of it. Microwave on high for 60-90 seconds or until hot.
What to Do with Leftover Bacon
Make bacon bits and top your salad with it. Add it to your favorite breakfast sandwich. Make brussels sprouts with bacon. Cook our BLT pasta for dinner.
Can you freeze cooked bacon?
You can easily freeze cooked bacon. First, let it cool completely. Then, transfer it into a freezer-safe gallon-size bag and remove as much air as possible and seal. Will last in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Ways to Cook Bacon
Microwave Bacon Air Fryer Bacon Stovetop Bacon
Bacon Recipes
Bacon-Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Goat Cheese Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp Broccoli Salad with Bacon Bacon-Wrapped Egg Cups Cauliflower Mac n’ Chicken Casserole
