Easy Oven Bacon

Don't make soggy or overcooked bacon again. Instead, make this Easy Oven Bacon and have it perfectly cooked every time the craving for bacon strikes!

Raise your hand if you love bacon! I'm just going to assume that all the hands of those reading this are raised because I mean, hello, it's BACON!

For those that don't like bacon there are usually a few reasons for this.

1. You're using the wrong brand of bacon!

• This is why this is so important to make sure that you are using good quality bacon. I know, trust me, that the excellent bacon can be more expensive than the cheaper brands, but consider this, and you tell me if it's worth it to pick the right brands.
• My favorite brands are ButcherBox and Applegate. Ensure that you are using a good quality bacon that doesn't have added nitrates, gluten, or grains (usually as spices or preservatives) added. If I am buying any other brand locally, I always check for these things.

2. You're cooking it wrong!

• You are probably thinking, how do you cook bacon wrong? The most common way people cook bacon is in a pan on the stove. You have to sit there watching the bacon as it cooks and flipping it halfway. The bacon ends up sitting in the pan filled with grease, and splatters are everywhere. If you don't watch it, you can end up with half-burnt pieces with areas of soggy bacon. I mean, who likes soggy bacon? Not me!

The Right Way to Cook Bacon

The best way to cook bacon is in the oven. You read that right. I promise once you try this method, you won't cook bacon any other way. It's easy, less messy, and no babysitting the bacon leaving you ending up with soggy, half-burnt pieces anymore. Instead, you'll end up with perfect, evenly cooked bacon that is made the way you like it.

Tools Needed

Cooking bacon in the oven is easy, and it uses a few simple tools you probably have sitting in your kitchen already.

• Baking Rack
• Rimmed Baking Sheet 

I told you, you would probably already have the tools in your kitchen. So now it's time to make some bacon.
This technique is perfect for making breakfast on the weekends, to cooking bacon for a crowd (Hello Mother's Day brunch this weekend) to even making some ahead for some weekly meal prep. This method has you covered!

So give it a try, and I promise you will never make bacon on the stove again.

Tips and Tricks

• Choose a good quality bacon - see note above.
• Pick the thickness for what you like - If you want a chewier bacon, go for a thinner cut of bacon. If you like crispier bacon, choose a thicker cut of bacon.
• Drain the bacon on a paper towel-lined plate to help remove excess grease. 
• Save the leftover grease for cooking later in a glass jar.

How to Make Bacon in the Oven

1. Prepare the baking sheet by placing the cooling rack on top. If you want an easier cleanup, you can choose to line the sheet pan with foil if you wish.
2. Arrange the bacon in a single layer on top of the cooling rack making sure the slices do not overlap. 
3. Bake the bacon for 15-20 minutes or until the desired crispiness, is achieved.
4. Drain the bacon on some paper towels to remove any excess grease.

Best Oven Temperature to Cook Bacon in the Oven

I've personally found I like the results best at 400 degrees. At this temperature, the bacon crisps up faster and get the nice crisp that I want in a reasonable time. If you like your bacon a little less crisp, you can reduce your oven temperature to 350-375 degrees. Just note your cooking times will vary at the lower temperature.

Storing Leftover Bacon

Leftover-cooked bacon is excellent to keep around. To store it, place it in an airtight container in the fridge for about a week. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. It's the perfect addition to add to breakfast scrambles, chopped salads, or simply snacking.

Reheating Leftover Bacon

When I want to reheat bacon, I like the results better by merely warming them up in a dry skillet over low heat until it's warm.

More Bacon Recipes to Enjoy

• Smokey Apple Bacon Stuffed Pork Chops
• Creamy Loaded Baked Potato Soup
• Loaded Twice Baked Potato Casserole 
• Skillet Bacon Balsamic Brussel Sprouts 

📖 Recipe

Originally Posted 05/7/2019