Baked Bacon
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Forget the stovetop mess; we’re talking oven-baked bacon that’s crispy, delicious, and hassle-free. Perfect for breakfast or leveling up your BLT, this method is the ultimate bacon hack you didn’t know you needed.
Try adding bacon to my quick Breakfast Sandwiches, Freezer Friendly Breakfast Burritos, and even as a topping to Soups, baked potatoes, and Pastas!
Recipe Features
- It is fast.
- You don’t have to watch it too closely.
- Large batches can be made at once.
- Every piece cooks evenly.
- There is almost no clean up.
I have been using this recipe for years. It has had many many changes, but I have finally found the perfect way to make bacon in the oven. Why would you want to make bacon in the oven? Oh, so many reasons. But my favorite reason? It frees up so much time for me to focus on other items like eggs or toast.
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Like I mentioned above, I have been working on this method for cooking bacon for years. Below is a walk through of how I manage to get perfect bacon every single time, and how you can too!
What You Need
- Bacon: All of the magic starts with the type of bacon you pick. For this tutorial, and because it happens to be my sons favorite, I decided to use the Kirkland Signature bacon from Costco.
- Foil or Parchment Paper: Keep the bacon from sticking to the pan with the use of either foil or parchment paper. It also makes for super easy cleanup!
- Baking Tray:
Thick Bacon vs Thin Sliced
For this tutorial I am using thin bacon. Not extra thin. Just the basic bacon you find at most grocery stores. This takes approximately 16 to 20 minutes to bake and does not require flipping.
If you decide to use thick cut bacon, you will need to flip them halfway through and add an additional 5 to 10 minutes to the cook time. I suggest checking around 13 minutes, flipping, and continuing to cook to your desired crispness.
The Best Way To Cook Bacon
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking tray with foil, for easy clean up, and lightly mist with cooking spray.
- Layer the uncooked bacon onto your prepared tray in a single layer.
- Cook 12 to 15 minutes, or until the bacon is crisp.
- Optional, flip the bacon halfway through.
Note: I like to check on mine around 13 minutes and adjust my cooking time from there.
Tips for this recipe:
- Use foil or parchment paper to line your baking tray. The foil catches the grease. Let it cool, and the grease solidify, then wrap up and toss in the trash. This helps cut down on clean up.
- Flip the bacon halfway through if desired, or use an oven safe rack in the tray.
- When you remove the bacon, place it on a paper towel to soak up some of the grease before serving.
- This bacon is good for soooo many different things. One of our faves? Burgers.
Recipe Notes:
The sweet spot for oven-baking bacon is usually around 400°F (200°C). This temperature ensures your bacon gets crispy without burning, and it cooks relatively quickly—usually in about 15-20 minutes. In a hurry? You can increase that temperature to 450 and your bacon will be crisp in around 10 minutes.
Nah, starting with a cold oven is more of a myth than a must-do. Preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C) is generally the way to go for bacon that’s crispy and evenly cooked. A cold oven might result in unevenly cooked bacon, and let’s be real, nobody’s got time for that.
Foil: Great for crispy bacon and easier clean-up. Just be careful; it can stick if you don’t use a non-stick spray.
Parchment Paper: Less stick, but might not give you that ultra-crispy texture.
So, if you’re Team Crispy, foil might be your MVP. But if you’re all about that easy-peasy clean-up and avoiding stickage, parchment paper is your go-to.
Oh, you betcha! Freezing bacon is like a life hack for your breakfast game. Just wrap individual portions in plastic wrap, toss ’em in a zip-top bag, and freeze. When the bacon craving strikes—and let’s be real, it always does—just thaw what you need. It’s good for up to 6 months in the freezer.
Absolutely, you can freeze thick-sliced bacon just like its thinner counterpart. The only catch? Thicker slices might take a tad longer to thaw and cook. But hey, good things come to those who wait, right?
Recipes that use bacon:
More Breakfast Recipes:
- Southwest Scramble
- Breakfast Casserole
- Sausage, Egg, and Cheese Breakfast Burritos
- Microwaved Omelette
How to Make Bacon in the Oven
Ingredients
- 1 package bacon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Line a baking tray with foil, for easy clean up, and lightly mist with cooking spray.
- Layer the uncooked bacon onto your prepared tray in a single layer.
- Cook 10 to 15 minutes, or until the bacon is crisp. I suggest checking at 10 minutes, and adding additional time from there.
- Optional, flip the bacon halfway through.
Notes
- Use foil to line your baking tray. The foil catches the grease. Let it cool, and the grease solidify, then wrap up and toss in the trash. This helps cut down on clean up.
- Flip the bacon halfway through if desired, or use an oven safe rack in the tray.
- When you remove the bacon, place it on a paper towel to soak up some of the grease before serving.
Equipment
The nutrition facts provided are calculated using a third-party tool and are estimates only. Actual nutritional content may vary based on the ingredients and brands you use, as well as portion sizes. For accurate results, please consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist.
We use a broiler rack, which drains the grease away from the bacon while cooking.
Hi Rosie, that’s a great tip!
My husband loves bacon but it’s so messy to cook. Now I I’ll make it any time he wants it. He can’t tell it’s cooked in the oven & using your method cleanup is a breeze. I plan to use the bacon grease to make my dog some treats (another recipe from Pinterest). Nothing goes to waste. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe!
Hi Tammy, I’m so glad you like this recipe as much as we do! I am going to have to try the dog treat idea! What a smart way to utilize the grease. You can also try adding it to homemade tortillas or refried beans!