Crispy, savory bacon is a breakfast staple and a delicious addition to many dishes. But cooking bacon on the stovetop can be messy and time-consuming. Oven-cooked bacon is a great alternative—it’s easy to make, less messy, and you can cook a large batch at once. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps of How to Cook Bacon in the Oven, so you can enjoy perfectly cooked bacon every time.
Choosing the Right Bacon
Thickness Matters
The thickness of your bacon will affect the cooking time and crispiness. Thicker bacon will take longer to cook and will be chewier, while thinner bacon will cook more quickly and will be crispier. Choose the thickness of bacon that you prefer.
| Thickness | Cooking Time | Crispiness |
|---|---|---|
| Thin | 10-12 minutes | Crispy |
| Medium | 12-15 minutes | Moderately crispy |
| Thick | 15-18 minutes | Chewy |
Types of Bacon
There are many different types of bacon available, including regular bacon, thick-cut bacon, hickory-smoked bacon, and applewood-smoked bacon. Each type of bacon has its own unique flavor and texture. Choose the type of bacon that you prefer.
- Regular bacon: This is the most common type of bacon. It is made from pork belly that has been cured and smoked.
- Thick-cut bacon: This type of bacon is made from thicker slices of pork belly. It is more flavorful and chewier than regular bacon.
- Hickory-smoked bacon: This type of bacon is made from pork belly that has been smoked over hickory wood. It has a smoky flavor.
- Applewood-smoked bacon: This type of bacon is made from pork belly that has been smoked over applewood. It has a sweet and smoky flavor.
Preparing the Oven
Preheat the Oven
The first step is to preheat your oven to the correct temperature. For bacon, you’ll want to preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius). This will help to ensure that the bacon cooks evenly and gets crispy.
| Temperature | Cooking Time |
|---|---|
| 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius) | 10-15 minutes |
Line a Baking Sheet
Next, you’ll need to line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. This will help to prevent the bacon from sticking to the pan and make cleanup easier.
Place the Bacon on the Baking Sheet
Once the oven is preheated and the baking sheet is lined, you can place the bacon on the baking sheet. Make sure that the bacon slices are not overlapping, as this will prevent them from cooking evenly.
Cooking the Bacon
Once the bacon is in the oven, it’s time to cook it! The cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the bacon and how crispy you like it. Thin bacon will cook more quickly than thick bacon, and bacon that is cooked for a longer period of time will be crispier.
| Thickness | Cooking Time |
|---|---|
| Thin | 10-12 minutes |
| Medium | 12-15 minutes |
| Thick | 15-18 minutes |
To check if the bacon is done, simply remove a slice from the oven and bend it. If it snaps easily, it’s done. If it’s still pliable, it needs to cook for a few more minutes.
Tips for Perfect Oven-Cooked Bacon
Here are a few tips to help you get perfectly cooked bacon every time:
- Use a wire rack: Placing the bacon on a wire rack will help it to cook evenly and prevent it from getting soggy.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: If you overcrowd the pan, the bacon will not cook evenly and will be more likely to stick together.
- Flip the bacon halfway through cooking: This will help to ensure that the bacon cooks evenly on both sides.
- Don’t overcook the bacon: Overcooked bacon is tough and chewy. Cook the bacon until it is just cooked through, but not crispy.
Final Thought
With a little practice, you’ll be able to cook perfect oven-cooked bacon every time. So next time you’re craving bacon, give this method a try. You won’t be disappointed!
