How to Cook Bacon (in the Oven)

If you’re looking for a simple, splatter-proof way to enjoy breakfast, you’ll love this quick tutorial on how to cook bacon in the oven! Bacon turns out perfectly crispy (or chewy!) every time, and this method is fast, easy, and makes clean-up an absolute breeze.

Uniform slices of bacon, evenly cooked, and the exact amount of crispiness you want- you can’t beat it! Plus, not being burned by bacon grease splatter or cleaning grease off half of the kitchen makes the oven method an obvious choice for all of your bacon needs.

We’re emphasizing easy cleanup by using aluminum foil to line the sheet pan. You could make this oven bacon directly on the sheet pan, but you’ll likely have to soak and scrub the pan afterward. You could also use parchment paper, which will keep the bacon from sticking to the pan but won’t hold as much of the grease as foil does. Foil is the best option in our experience.

How to Cook Bacon in the Oven

Ingredients

Process

1. Preheat oven to 400˚F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil.
2. Line bacon strips onto baking sheet about 1/4 inch apart.

3. Bake for 17 to 18 minutes, until browned and crisp.
4. Remove from oven and transfer to a plate lined with paper towels.

5. Drain and serve.

Why Cook Bacon in the Oven

• You can cook a whole package at once
• No grease splatter
• Easy clean up
• Bacon keeps its shape so they look uniform and layer or stack easily
• Put it in the oven and walk away- no babysitting the bacon!

Tips and Tricks for Success

• For the easiest cleanup, layer the foil and wrap the sides of the pan as well to keep as much grease in the foil as possible.
• Start checking the bacon after about 12 minutes, especially if you prefer yours on the chewy side. Every oven is a little different, and five extra minutes is all it takes for bacon to go from chewy to extra crispy.
• Some recipes say to cook bacon on a wire rack if you like it crispy, but in our experience, this doesn’t make much of a difference, plus it adds an extra thing to clean (and wire racks covered in bacon grease are not fun to clean).

Baking Times for Every Type of Bacon

Do you like your bacon extra crispy, prefer thick-cut bacon, or choose turkey bacon instead? We have the best temperature and baking time for each type, so you don’t have to guess!

For (8 ounces) Extra Crispy Bacon -Bake at 400˚F for 20 minutes.

For (12 ounces) Thick Cut Bacon – Bake at 400˚F for 22 minutes.

For (8 ounces) Turkey Bacon – Bake at 400˚F for 12-14 minutes.

How to Store and Reheat Oven Bacon

Storing

Store any leftover bacon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days.

Reheating

There are several ways to reheat your bacon:

In the oven: Our most preferred method, especially if you like cooking your bacon in the oven. Preheat the oven to 350˚F and line a sheet pan with foil. Place the bacon on the sheet and bake for 5-10 minutes or until the bacon begins sizzling again and is warmed through.

In a skillet: This method is quicker, but you’ll need to watch the bacon more closely. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook until sizzling and warmed through. You may need to flip after a couple of minutes to heat both sides evenly.

In the microwave: Least preferred, but quickest. Loosely wrap bacon in a paper towel and heat in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time until warm and sizzling.

What to do With Leftover Bacon

• In a Broccoli Crunch Salad
• On a Bacon Western Double Cheeseburger
• Inside an Extra Cheesy Breakfast Grilled Cheese
• Crumbled over a bowl of Roasted Corn Chowder

More Delicious Bacon Recipes You Will Love