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Simple tutorials are one of my favorite things here at Ekilove, and today I want to share one with you that I use multiple times a week: how to cook bacon in the oven! I’ve been baking bacon this way for years, and while it’s super simple, I have a few tips and tricks to share so that you get perfect oven-baked bacon that comes out crispy every time.
You’ll never want to do it any other way again for making large batches, but if you want a smaller batch, microwave bacon and air fryer bacon both work surprisingly well.
The Trick to Baking Bacon Perfectly
If you want to cook crispy bacon in the oven, the main trick to the recipe is to use an oven-safe cooling rack — instead of placing the bacon directly on the sheet pan. This means it doesn’t sit in the grease as it cooks, and the fat drips down, giving you that perfect crispness.
I discovered this method when making bacon-wrapped asparagus, and I’ve since used it when wrapping other things too, like bacon-wrapped Brussels sprouts and green bean bundles. The same concept works for baking bacon all by itself, too.
How to Cook Bacon in the Oven
This section shows how to bake bacon in the oven, with details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
- Preheat your oven. This ensures even cooking. (See temp info below!)
- Arrange the bacon. Place a wire rack over a rimmed baking sheet and arrange the strips of bacon on the rack in a single layer. You can line the pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper underneath the rack for easier clean-up.
Bake bacon in the oven. It’s done when the level of crispiness is to your liking.
What Temperature Do You Cook Bacon in the Oven?
I highly recommend cooking bacon in the oven at 400 degrees F. It’s faster than lower temperatures, plus the bacon gets more crispy. Any higher and you tend to risk burning the edges.
How Long to Cook Bacon in the Oven?
For average bacon, bake for 18 to 23 minutes at 400 degrees F. Cook for 15-19 minutes for thin bacon or 22-26 minutes for thick-cut bacon.
If your bacon varies in thickness, the ideal cook time is 20-30 minutes at 350 degrees F. The lower temperature will reduce the chance of thinner pieces burning if they don’t all cook at the same rate.
Storage Instructions
- Store: Oven-baked bacon is delicious made fresh for breakfast or brunch, but it also stores very well! Keep leftover bacon in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Reheat: Reheat (previously cooked) bacon in the oven at 350 degrees F, covered in foil, for 10-20 minutes. You can also reheat it in the air fryer for just a couple of minutes.
- Freeze: Wait for the bacon to cool, then freeze it in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment or wax paper. Once frozen solid, transfer it to a freezer bag and keep frozen for up to 3 months. You can thaw and reheat using the method above.
Ways to Use Baked Bacon in Recipes
One of the advantages of baking bacon in the oven is that you can make a big batch, which means you can use it in lots of different ways! Here are some serving ideas, as well as classic recipes for bacon lovers that can take advantage of your big batch:
- Breakfast – Serve it on the side with almond flour pancakes (or healthy banana oat pancakes), easy oven baked eggs, or the perfect omelette. Recipes for quiche or frittatas also often call for cooked bacon.
- Casseroles – My most popular ones are chicken bacon ranch casserole and cheesy loaded cauliflower casserole.
- Soups – While you can sauté the bacon before adding the liquid, adding it pre-cooked is even more convenient if you have some on hand. My favorite is bacon cheeseburger soup, but I’ve heard many readers add it to broccoli cheese soup as well.
- Salads – Cooking bacon in the oven is particularly convenient for salads since you’re not usually cooking other parts of the dish and can do it ahead. It’s a classic on a cobb salad, broccoli bacon salad, or wedge salad.
- Appetizers – This perfect baked bacon recipe is excellent to use as part of an appetizer, like bacon deviled eggs, jalapeno poppers, or a creamy cheese ball.
- Side Dishes – Use bacon to amp up crispy pan-fried Brussels sprouts, Southern fried cabbage, or even rice or cauliflower rice.
- Sandwiches – Grab your favorite bread and make a BLT!
For more delicious recipes and cooking tips, head over to Ekilove. Happy cooking!
