Oven-Cooked Bacon

Cooking bacon in the oven is a simple and effective method to achieve a chewy or crispy, evenly cooked strip of bacon.

There’s minimal chance of burning your burning the bacon. Little to no mess that comes from frying bacon on the stovetop. Therefore, minimal mess to clean up.

The best thing about Oven-Cooked Bacon, the meat strips do not curl while they’re cooking.

Use your Oven-Cooked Smoked Bacon with the recipes featured throughout the article.

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Oven-Cooked Bacon

Bacon strips, as many as you need.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup. If you want to save the bacon fat or drippings, prepare baking sheet without aluminum foil or parchment paper.

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If you have a cooling rack, place it on top of the baking sheet. This allows the grease to drip away from the bacon and helps it cook more evenly.

Lay the smoked bacon strips in a single layer on the baking sheet or cooling rack. Make sure the strips do not overlap for even cooking. * See Cook’s Notes – Flavor Variations

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Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and watch the magic happen as the heat circulates evenly, allowing the fat to render beautifully while hickory infused aroma waffs through the kitchen. * See Cook’s Notes – Flavor Variations

Cooking The Bacon

Thin-Sliced Bacon: Cook for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through for even cooking.

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Thick-Cut Bacon: Cook for 20-25 minutes, again flipping halfway through. Check for desired crispness.

Bacon is done when it reaches a deep golden brown color and is crispy to your liking.

If you prefer it chewier slices, you can remove it a little earlier. *See Cook’s Notes – Watchful Eye

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Cook’s Notes & Tips

Flavor Variations: Sprinkle bacon with brown sugar, black pepper, or maple syrup before baking for added flavor.

Watchful Eye: Oven temperatures can vary, so keep an eye on your bacon as it cooks to prevent burning.

Save Bacon Grease: You can save the rendered bacon grease for cooking other dishes. Just strain it and store it in a jar in the fridge.

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Once the bacon reaches your desired level of crispiness, carefully remove it from the oven. Transfer the bacon strips using tongs to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess grease. * See Cook’s Notes – Save Bacon Grease

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Enjoy your perfectly cooked smoked bacon as part of a breakfast omelette, in a sandwich, mixed into salads among other uses, like this Maple Bacon Syrup.

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