Did you know that you can make the most incredible crispy bacon in the oven with no oil needed? A healthier way to cook bacon, and a great way to cook a big batch of it and save space on the hob (stovetop). It leaves you to multitask with other things in the kitchen. Follow on for all our tips on How To Cook Bacon In The Oven.
Cooking Bacon in the Oven
If you have ever wondered "can you cook bacon in the oven?", the answer is yes! Bacon is a much loved breakfast staple, but frying it on the stovetop is not only messy, but it needs oil. Cooking bacon in the oven is a game-changer!
It’s easy, convenient, and results in perfectly crispy strips with minimal cleanup and zero oil. It's also a great way to cook a big batch of it on a couple of big baking trays and it cooks everything evenly, rather than cooking in a pan which created hot spots and burnt bits.
I know bacon isn't the most nutrient dense food in the world. But, if you are going to have it then you might as well make it as light as possible. Bacon in the oven is a great alternative if you don't want to make our Air Fryer Bacon.
Looking for more lighter ways to cook your favourite foods? Why not try our quick Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets, delicious Burger in a Bowl and our easy Air Fryer Sausages?
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Ingredients and Substitutions
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Bacon - That's it! The only ingredient needed to cook bacon in the oven.
Bacon comes in various thicknesses. Standard-cut bacon will cook faster and be crispier, while thick-cut bacon will be meatier and chewier. Adjust your cooking time based on the thickness of your bacon. You can use the same method for turkey bacon. However, it may require a slightly shorter cooking time, so start checking for doneness at the 10-minute mark.
Variations
This is such a simple way of cooking bacon, it's all about how you serve it. However, there are a few things you can add to change the flavour.
- Sweet and spicy bacon - Mix ¼ cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon chili powder, ½ teaspoon black pepper and sprinkle the mixture over the bacon before baking.
- Maple-Glazed Bacon - Brush ¼ cup pure maple syrup on to the bacon halfway through the baking process.
How to Cook Bacon in the Oven - Step by Step
Prep: Preheat your oven to 200°C/180°C(fan)?400°F/Gas 6. This is the ideal temperature for crispy bacon. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper. This will make cleanup much easier. If you have a cooling rack, place it on top of the lined baking sheet. The rack allows the bacon to cook evenly from all sides and keeps it out of the grease. But this does give you more cleaning, so we skip this part.
- Step 1: Lay the bacon strips out in a single layer on the baking sheet or cooling rack. Make sure the strips don’t overlap to ensure even cooking.
- Step 2: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven. Bake for 10-20 minutes, depending on the thickness of your bacon and how crispy you like it. More on cooking times below. Start checking at the 10-minute mark. Bacon can go from perfectly crispy to burnt quickly.
- Step 3: Once the bacon is done to your liking, use tongs or a fork to transfer the strips to a paper towel-lined plate to drain off excess grease. Serve the bacon immediately or let it cool and store it for later use.
How Long Does Bacon Take To Cook in the Oven
- Regular Bacon: 12-15 minutes
- Thick-Cut Bacon: 15-20 minutes
- Turkey Bacon: 10-12 minutes
- Plant-Based Bacon: 8-10 minutes (follow specific package instructions)
Serving Suggestions
I mean, what CAN'T you put bacon on? Once you have learned how to cook bacon in the oven, it's so versatile, but here are some of our favourite ways of using baked bacon.
Classic Breakfast: Serve with cottage cheese scrambled eggs, toast, and oven baked hash browns.
Salad Topping: Crumble over a fresh green salad for a crispy, salty crunch. It goes really well on our Healthy Caesar Salad. It's also amazing in our No Mayo Potato Salad.
Sandwiches and Burgers: Add to your favourite sandwiches and burgers for extra flavour. Why not try it on our Cajun Chicken Burger or Chicken Mayo Sandwich.
Pasta Dishes: Toss crispy bacon pieces into pasta dishes like our Healthy Carbonara or Cauliflower Mac and Cheese.
Extra Tips
- For meatier, chewier bacon, opt for thick-cut strips.
- Bacon thickness and oven temperatures can vary, so start checking for doneness at the 10-minute mark - unless you like your bacon super crispy and burnt.
- Rotate the baking sheet halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking.
- Pour the bacon grease into a jar and save it for cooking. It adds incredible flavour to dishes like fried eggs, vegetables, and more. Although, there shouldn't be that much grease with this kind of cooking method.
- Twist each bacon strip before placing it on the baking sheet. This creates a fun, curly presentation and an extra-crispy texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can place the bacon directly on the baking sheet, but it will be harder to clean. The foil or parchment paper makes cleanup much easier.
Store leftover bacon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Reheat it in the oven at 180°C/160°C(fan)/350°F/Gas 4 for a few minutes or in the microwave for about 20 seconds.
Yes, cooked bacon freezes well. Place the strips in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze. Once frozen, transfer the strips to a freezer-safe bag. They can be reheated directly from the freezer in the microwave or oven.
More Oven Cooked Recipes
If you’ve tried this bacon cooked in the oven, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
How to Cook Bacon in the Oven
Ingredients
- 6 rasher Streaky bacon
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200°C/180°C(fan)?400°F/Gas 6). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
- Lay the bacon strips out in a single layer on the baking sheet. Make sure the strips don’t overlap to ensure even cooking.
- Put the baking sheet into the preheated oven. Bake for 10-20 minutes, depending on the thickness of your bacon and how crispy you like it.
- Once the bacon is done to your liking, use tongs or a fork to transfer the strips to a paper towel-lined plate to drain off excess grease. Serve the bacon immediately or let it cool and store it for later use.
Recipe Tips
- For meatier, chewier bacon, opt for thick-cut strips.
- Bacon thickness and oven temperatures can vary, so start checking for doneness at the 10-minute mark - unless you like your bacon super crispy and burnt.
- Rotate the baking sheet halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking.
- Pour the bacon grease into a jar and save it for cooking. It adds incredible flavour to dishes like fried eggs, vegetables, and more. Although, there shouldn't be that much grease with this kind of cooking method.
- Twist each bacon strip before placing it on the baking sheet. This creates a fun, curly presentation and an extra-crispy texture.
Nutritional Information
The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
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