How to Cook Bacon in the Oven Perfect Every Time

Learn the best, easy way to cook bacon in the oven perfect every time using the top hacks and tricks out there, including how long to cook oven bacon!

If bacon makes everything taste better, we are going to need a lot of it! Whether you are a fan of crispy, chewy, thick-cut, or paper-thin bacon, we have you covered anyway you slice it. Plus, you can’t beat the clean up with no greasy stovetop clean! Check out all the tips for cooking bacon in the oven, different methods, and how to do it start to finish! Since bacon is not just a breakfast food, I like to make extra and use it in some of my favorite party pleasing recipes like this Buffalo Bacon Cheeseball.

HOW TO COOK BACON IN THE OVEN
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Researching how to cook crispy bacon yields a lot of different methods. Slow cook uses a lower oven temperature for a longer time. Cold start bacon is placed in a cold oven and bacon cooks as the oven heats up. Some prefer to cook bacon directly lying on a baking sheet, while others elevate slices on an oven-safe rack. Hands off oven bacon is my preferred method because it makes a lot of bacon at once, which is helpful for recipes such as Bacon Maple Cornbread or to enhance an Apple Pecan Salad.

After trying all the different methods, I didn’t find much difference in the end product. All tactics produce delicious crispy bacon. However, choose which process works best for you, depending on time and preference.

How Long to Cook Bacon in the Oven

Cooking time depends on the bacon’s thickness and method for cooking. Here are some approximate guidelines.

• 400ºF for 15-25 minutes (about 15 minutes for thin bacon, more for thick cut)
• 350ºF for 35-45 minutes (about 35 minutes for thin bacon, more for thick cut)

What temperature to cook bacon in the oven

1. Preheat oven to 400ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
2. Lay bacon slices in a single layer directly on a baking sheet or a rack, making sure not to overlap. (See Bacon on Baking Sheet or Rack? ⬇️)
3. Bake for 15-25 minutes, depending on desired crispiness and thickness of the bacon. Flipping bacon halfway through is optional, although I find it cooks both sides more evenly.
4. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to cool and absorb any extra grease.

Cooking Bacon with Cold Start

Forgot to preheat the oven? No problem! Oven baked bacon can start in a cold oven as well.

Follow the preparation directions above and place the baking sheet in cold oven. Turn temperature to 400ºF and cook for 20-25 minutes, or until desired crispness.

Slow Cooked Bacon

Some cooks believe in the low and slow method because it makes more tender bacon. For this method, preheat oven to 350ºF and cook bacon for approximately 30 minutes.

Bacon on a Baking Sheet or Rack?

• Rack Method: Line a baking sheet with parchment or foil. Lay bacon on the oven-safe rack, making sure slices don’t overlap. Bake as directed, flipping halfway through.
  Laying bacon on a rack allows more grease to drain away, which can produce crispier bacon. However, the drawbacks are it takes a few minutes longer when baking bacon and clean up can be a pain!
• Baking Sheet Method: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. Lay bacon directly on the baking sheet, making sure slices don’t overlap — Bake as directed.
  The bacon cooks in the hot, rendered fat, which makes the cooking time a little faster. Also, I find the bacon to stay flattened when lying directly on the baking sheet.

What should I do with bacon grease?

If you don’t plan on using the bacon grease, remove bacon slices and leave grease on the foil or parchment to cool and solidify. Then remove the paper to the trash.

Bacon grease may also be saved to use in the same manner as butter or oil, but with enhanced flavor. Remove bacon slices, tilt baking sheet so hot grease collects, and carefully pour into a container. Allow collected grease to cool, cover, and store in the refrigerator for later use.

Can I Freeze Bacon?

Yes, bacon may be frozen cooked or raw. If you find bacon on sale, throw packages into the freezer until ready to use. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and cook using your favorite method.

Cooked bacon is great frozen for later use. Wrapped, drained, cool bacon in wax paper and store in a freezer-safe bag. To reheat, place frozen bacon on a paper towel-lined plate and microwave for 20-30 seconds.

Use Crispy Oven Bacon in These Favorite Recipes!

• Creamy Bacon Pea Salad
• Sriracha Ranch Bacon Chicken Dip
• Creamy Chicken Bacon Ziti
• Bacon Ranch Chicken
• Bacon Jalapeno Fry Sauce
• More recipes with bacon…

Tools used to make Oven Baked Bacon

Baking Sheet: A nice big baking sheet is a must-have for any kitchen. This half pan sheet is large than a regular cookie and works great for anything you’re baking.

Baking Rack: These go hand in hand with my favorite baking sheet.

Aluminum Foil: Foil is one of my favorite kitchen essentials. It helps keep food from browning too quickly, keeps clean up easy, and lets me make delicious foil packet meals!

Parchment Paper: Your baked goods will never stick again! I love using parchment paper for everything from cookies to pizzas!

Kitchen Tongs: A good pair of tongs is a kitchen essential. I like having a couple of sizes – a longer set for grilling and a shorter set for stovetop cooking.