How to Cook Bacon in the Oven! Guaranteed delicious, crispy, and evenly cooked each and every time, this super easy Oven Baked Bacon Recipe is ready in under 15 minutes and so much faster than batching in a frying pan.
The Easiest Way to Cook Crispy Bacon
I admit. I was skeptical at first. I mean, bacon in the oven – what’s the big deal? What’s wrong with good ole’ classic skillet-fried bacon? Well to be fair, nothing. I love my skillets. And bacon grease is pretty awesome at seasoning my beloved cast iron skillets. But, bacon that is cooked in the oven is simply better. Here are just a few reasons why:
- Your bacon cooks evenly every single time.
- Easily cook multiple batches or one big batch at once.
- It’s less maintenance than stovetop skillet bacon. Simply pop it in the oven and wait.
- No nasty bacon splattering everywhere staining your clothes or burning your skin.
- Easy cleanup.
This is my favorite way to cook bacon from chewy to extra crispy and enjoy on BLT’s, added to Potato Soup, or added to creamy chicken skillets like this Skillet Chicken with Bacon, Caper and Olive Sauce.
How Long Do You Bake Bacon in the Oven?
The total time it will take to cook bacon in the oven will vary depending on the oven temperature and the thickness of your bacon slices. As expected, thick-cut bacon will take longer to cook when compared to thinly sliced bacon. Additionally, cooking your bacon at a lower temperature will take a longer cook time.
What Temperature Do You Cook Bacon in the Oven?
I recommend cooking your bacon at one of the following – 350, 375, 400, or 425 degrees Fahrenheit. I have always cooked my bacon at 375 degrees Fahrenheit (a happy middle of the round temperature) with great results, but feel free to play around with oven temperature to find what works best for you. If, however, you find yourself with bacon of different thicknesses (some thick and some thin) I do recommend baking between 350-375°F to prevent the thinner slices from burning around the edges too quickly.
How long to cook bacon in the oven at 350°F (177°C)
Bake for approximately 23-28 minutes.
How long to cook bacon in the oven at 375°F (191°C)
Bake for approximately 18-23 minutes.
How long to cook bacon in the oven at 400°F (204°C)
Bake for approximately 15-20 minutes.
How long to cook bacon in the oven at 425°F (218°C)
Bake for approximately 12-18 minutes.
Tips and Tricks
- Use a large rimmed baking sheet to prevent bacon grease from dripping everywhere.
- Line your sheet pan with foil (or parchment paper if you’re out of foil).
- Cooking bacon on a baking rack is not necessary. If you want to run an experiment to see which method you prefer, go for it! But I find little difference (if anything, I prefer when my bacon is cooked directly on the baking sheet).
- You DO NOT need to flip your bacon.
- Cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the bacon and how crispy you like your bacon.
- Refrigerate leftover bacon in the refrigerator for up to one week and reheat in the microwave at 10-second intervals.
- This recipe is dairy-free, whole30, low-carb, and gluten-free
How to Cook Bacon in the Oven
There are two methods of cooking bacon in the oven– each nearly identical to the other except that one calls for a baking rack while the other does not. Now, I have heard quite a few people claim that the key to making perfectly crispy, mind-blowingly delicious bacon is as simple as cooking on top of a baking rack versus directly on the baking sheet.
I disagree.
While the key to perfect bacon IS baking in the oven, I actually find better, more consistent results when the bacon is cooked directly on the baking sheet. It’s still crispy, but less dry. Plus, the overall cooking time is shorter since it gets to sizzle in the hot bacon grease as it cooks.
Scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the page to print the instructions for this baked bacon recipe.
Cooking Bacon in the Oven (Without Rack)
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Position the oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat oven to 375°F (191°C).
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To help make cleanup a breeze, line a large rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. Remove the bacon from its packaging and place the slices on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer side-by-side.
- Important: do not allow bacon slices to overlap. The edges can touch just slightly but overlapping will prevent your bacon from cooking evenly or crisping properly.
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Transfer baking sheet to the oven and cook for approximately 15 minutes, or until bacon slices are cooked to your desired doneness.
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Remove bacon from the oven and transfer bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess grease.
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Enjoy immediately or cool bacon to room temperature, transfer to a reusable storage container, and refrigerate for up to one week.
Cooking Bacon in the Oven (With Rack)
- Position the oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat oven to 375°F (191°C).
- Line a large rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a baking rack (cooling rack) on top.
- These are the stainless steel baking sheets and baking racks that I used in this recipe.
- Remove the bacon from its packaging and place the slices on the baking rack in a single layer side-by-side.
- Important: do not allow bacon slices to overlap. The edges can touch just slightly but overlapping will prevent your bacon from cooking evenly or crisping properly.
- Transfer your baking sheet to the oven and cook for approximately 20 minutes, or until bacon slices are cooked to your desired doneness.
- Remove bacon from the oven and transfer bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess grease.
- Enjoy immediately or cool bacon to room temperature, transfer to a reusable storage container, and refrigerate for up to one week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some popular questions from around the web. Have a question of your own? Leave it in the comments below and I’ll add it here.
What can I do with leftover bacon grease?
Don’t toss your leftover bacon fat. Use it instead. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Season your favorite cast iron skillet.
- Drizzle over freshly popped popcorn.
- Cook with it! Think easy recipes like fried eggs, french toast (sweet and savory, anyone?), or grilled cheese.
- Make some bird feeders with the kids or peanut butter bacon dog treats for your furry family member
Does bacon splatter in the oven?
No. Bacon does not splatter in the oven since it stays flat the whole time it cooks.
Can I cook frozen bacon in the oven?
Yes, you can cook frozen bacon in the oven. Here’s how:
Remove the frozen, uncooked bacon from the freezer and check to see if you can easily separate the bacon into slices. When individual slices are frozen, you can easily cook the same way as when it isn’t frozen- simply add 1-2 additional minutes to the total cook time.
However, if you froze the entire package of bacon all clumped together, chances are you’re going to have a pretty tough time separating them. Don’t worry, simply transfer your block of bacon to a plate lined with paper towels and use your microwaves defrost setting to thaw. Check regularly and peel away pieces as they loosen.
Once all bacon slices have been separated, transfer to your baking sheet and bake as outlined below.
Can I cook bacon in the oven with parchment paper?
Yes. Most parchment paper is safe up to 400°F (204°C) (or higher) so if you find yourself out of foil, parchment paper makes a great alternative.
Why I prefer using foil? Although I could use parchment paper or aluminum foil, I have found that foil contains messes much better when compared to parchment paper.
Can I cook turkey bacon in the oven?
Yes. However, according to Cook’s Illustrated, cooking turkey bacon in the oven typically results in a leathery texture (not so appealing, right?) The better way is to pan-fry in approximately 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil.
What are Nitrites and Nitrates?
Ok, guys. One final thing before I leave you to bake delicious bacon…
What are sodium nitrite and sodium nitrate?
Sodium nitrite (with an “i”) and sodium nitrate (with an “a”) are salts that are often added to cured meats like salami, ham, and yep, bacon! Both of these naturally occurring chemical compounds are preservatives that suppress harmful bacteria from growing all those cured meats and, as a result, help extend their shelf life.
Are sodium nitrite and sodium nitrate bad?
According to this article written by The BBC, it’s far more complicated than a simple “yes” or “no”. On their own, sodium nitrite and sodium nitrate are not harmful (did you know that leafy greens like spinach and rocket are top of the list for top nitrate-containing vegetables?) Instead, it is the way they are cooked (baking or frying at high temperatures, for example) and their local environment (in meats where they are in close proximity to amino acids) which allows them to more easily form nitrosamines, the cancer-causing compound.
Short answer- in bacon? Probably best to purchase nitrate or nitrate-free bacon.
More Bacon Recipes,
- Broccoli Salad Recipe with Bacon
- Creamy Pea Salad Recipe with Bacon
- Cranberry Bacon Jam Recipe
- Bourbon Bacon Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Skillet Chicken with Bacon, Caper and Olive Sauce
If you try cooking bacon in the oven, please leave me a comment and let me know! I always love to hear your thoughts.
RECIPE CARD
How to Cook Bacon in the Oven
Equipment
- Rimmed Baking Sheet
- Cooking Rack
- Aluminum Foil
Ingredients
- 6 ounces bacon - 8 slices
Instructions
Oven Bacon (without cooling rack)
- Position the oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat oven to 375°F (191°C).
- Line a large rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. Remove the bacon from its packaging and place the slices on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer side-by-side. Do not overlap your bacon slices.
- Transfer baking sheet to the oven and cook for 12-15 minutes, or until bacon slices are cooked to your desired doneness.
- Remove bacon from the oven and transfer bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess grease.
- Enjoy immediately or cool bacon to room temperature, transfer to a reusable storage container, and refrigerate for up to one week.
Oven Bacon with a cooling rack
- Position the oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat oven to 375°F (191°C).
- Line a large rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a baking rack (cooling rack) on top.
- Remove the bacon from its packaging and place the slices on the baking rack in a single layer side-by-side. Do not overlap your bacon slices.
- Transfer baking sheet to the oven and cook for 15-17 minutes, or until bacon slices are cooked to your desired doneness.
- Remove bacon from the oven and transfer bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess grease.
- Enjoy immediately or cool bacon to room temperature, transfer to a reusable storage container, and refrigerate for up to one week.
Jessica's Notes
- Use a large rimmed baking sheet to prevent bacon grease from dripping everywhere.
- Line your baking sheet with foil (or parchment paper if you're out of foil).
- Cooking bacon on a baking rack is not necessary. If you want to run an experiment to see which method you prefer, go for it! But I find little difference (if anything, I prefer when my bacon is cooked directly on the baking sheet).
- You DO NOT need to flip your bacon.
- Cooking time may vary depending on how thick your bacon slices are cut and how crispy you like your bacon.
- Refrigerate leftover bacon in the refrigerator for up to one week and reheat in the microwave at 10 second intervals.
- Serving size: 1 slice bacon, cooked
Nutritional Information
(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and specific brands of ingredients used.)
If I save the leftover bacon grease is a sealed glass jar, what is the best way to store it? Room temperature, refrigerate, or freeze it? What is the approximate “shelf life” for each?
Always store bacon grease in an airtight container.
I wouldn’t keep it at room temperature for more than a day.
Refrigerate leftover bacon in the refrigerator for up to one week and reheat it in the microwave at 10-second intervals. And a year or so in the freezer.