How to Cook Bacon in the Oven: Your Ultimate Guide With all The Tricks for Perfectly Crispy Bacon!

Cooking bacon in the oven is healthier than frying it, and it also crisps up wonderfully, without the soggy, unappealing fat surrounding the meat. It’s incredibly simple to cook bacon in the oven if you need to do a lot at once, and when it’s done, you can use the bacon in sandwiches (irresistible!) or add it to other recipes. Streaky bacon crisps up best in the oven without drying out, but be careful with bacon medallions – the lack of fat means they can dry out quickly. In this case, a bit of fat is a good thing.

How to Cook Bacon in The Oven

You can’t put the bacon into an oven you’ve just switched on – it needs at least ten minutes to get up to temperature before you put the bacon in. Preheat your oven: preheating ensures the bacon cooks evenly and achieves the desired crispiness. Line a baking tray with foil to reduce mess and minimize washing up once the bacon is cooked. For extra crispy bacon, place a wire rack in the baking tray and lay the bacon on top. The rack allows fat to drip away from the bacon, making it crispier.

Lay your bacon strips flat in a single layer, making sure none of the strips overlap. Overlapping strips result in soggy bits on your bacon. Whether using a tray and wire rack or just the foil-lined baking tray, ensure the strips are evenly spaced for even cooking. Once the bacon is cooked to your liking, transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate to soak up any excess grease. Serve immediately. The fat left in the baking tray can be drained into a clean glass storage jar with a lid and used to add flavor when cooking eggs, roasting veggies, or other dishes.

Baking Time and Temperature

Bake the bacon for around 15-20 minutes, depending on how crispy you like it. If your oven is fierce or you’re unsure, start checking the bacon at around 12-15 minutes. Keep an eye on it until it’s done to your liking. Here’s a guide for different temperatures:

• At 350°F (175°C): Bake for 20-25 minutes.
• At 375°F (190°C): Bake for 18-22 minutes.
• At 400°F (200°C): Bake for 15-20 minutes.

Adjust the time based on the thickness of your bacon and how crispy you prefer it.

Do I Have to Flip The Bacon?

You do not need to flip the bacon when cooking it in the oven. The heat circulates evenly around the bacon, ensuring both sides cook properly. However, if you prefer, you can flip the strips halfway through the cooking time for an extra touch of crispiness.

Do I Really Need to Use Aluminum Foil?

While using aluminum foil makes cleanup easier, it’s not absolutely necessary. You can cook bacon directly on the baking tray, though it might require more effort to clean afterward. Alternatively, parchment paper can be used, but it might not handle the high heat as well as foil.

How to Prevent the Bacon From Splattering Everywhere

To cook bacon in the oven without it splattering all over, use a wire rack in the baking tray to lift the bacon off the tray and allow fat to drip down. Another method is to lightly cover the bacon with another layer of foil, creating a tent-like shape. This traps the splatters while allowing steam to escape, preventing sogginess.