Bacon lovers, have you ever thought of cooking bacon in the oven? It may sound unconventional, but let me tell you, it’s the secret to achieving the crispiest and most delicious bacon you’ve ever tasted. Forget about the skillet or the microwave – the oven is where the magic happens!
I know, everyone loves bacon, but what really divides us is the best way to cook it. The microwave is quick but leaves us with unevenly crispy bacon. On the other hand, using a skillet is messy and splatters grease everywhere. But fear not, I have discovered the ultimate solution – cooking bacon in the oven! It bakes evenly, becomes irresistibly crispy, and leaves all the mess in the pan for easy cleanup later.
Why This Recipe Works
Easy – Cooking oven-baked bacon is incredibly simple. Just line a baking sheet with parchment paper, place the bacon, and set a timer. Voila! Perfectly cooked bacon every time.
Perfect for batch cooking – Planning to use crispy bacon in various recipes throughout the week? This oven method allows you to batch-cook your bacon to perfection.
Keeps well – Once you’ve batch-baked your bacon, you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
Crispy, crispy, crispy – I can’t stress enough how amazingly crispy the bacon becomes in the oven. If you’re a fan of crispy bacon, this recipe is a game-changer.
Here’s How You Make It
Let me share with you just how simple it is to achieve the best bacon using this method. Follow the steps below:
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Preheat your oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Alternatively, you can use aluminum foil and place a wire rack on top to catch the bacon fat drippings.
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Lay the bacon strips on the parchment paper, making sure they don’t touch each other.
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Place the bacon in the oven and bake it for 14 minutes for chewy bacon, 16 minutes for crispy bacon, or 18 minutes for an extra-crispy and crunchy texture, especially when using thick-cut bacon.
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Once cooked, remove the pan from the oven and use a fork or tongs to transfer the bacon onto a paper towel-lined plate. This will absorb any excess bacon grease.
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Serve and enjoy!
Benefits of Cooking Bacon in the Oven
No turning – One of the many advantages of cooking bacon in the oven is that you don’t need to flip it. While you might need to rotate the pan halfway through if your oven cooks unevenly, there’s no need to individually flip each slice like you would when using a skillet.
Big batch – If you’re cooking for a crowd or simply love bacon, this recipe can easily be scaled up. Just add more bacon to a large, rimmed baking sheet, and you’ll have a large batch of bacon in no time.
Multitasking – Using the oven instead of a skillet allows you to free up stovetop space. Cook your bacon effortlessly while you prepare other dishes.
Safer and cleaner – Even a deep skillet can’t prevent grease splatters. The oven, however, acts as the perfect containment, keeping your skin burn-free, your clothes stain-free, and your countertops nice and clean.
How Do You Cook Bacon in the Oven Without Smoking up the House?
The key to avoiding a smoky kitchen lies in managing the grease. Bacon itself doesn’t create the smoke; it’s the grease that drips into the oven that causes it. To prevent this issue, ensure your oven is regularly cleaned. Additionally, use a baking sheet with raised edges to contain the grease and prevent it from spilling into your oven.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Parchment vs. foil – I personally prefer using parchment as it yields crispier bacon, but foil works too.
- Scaling the recipe – This oven method works for any amount of bacon. Simply add more bacon slices to your lined baking sheet, ensuring they’re not overlapping. The cooking time remains the same.
- Crisping while cooling – Keep in mind that bacon will continue to crisp up as it cools. Adjust your cooking time accordingly.
- Oven temperature – A temperature of 400 degrees works well for bacon of any thickness. Just be mindful of the cooking time – less for thin-sliced bacon and more for thick-sliced.
More Recipes You’ll Enjoy
- Bacon Avocado Egg Salad
- Super Moist Cornbread
- Spinach Artichoke Dip
- Apple Cranberry Walnut Salad
If you’ve tried this oven method for cooking bacon, let me know what you think by rating the recipe below! And for more delightful recipes and cooking inspiration, head over to Ekilove.
Remember, cooking bacon in the oven will revolutionize your bacon game. Say goodbye to grease splatters and unevenly cooked strips. Say hello to perfectly crispy and irresistible bacon every time!
