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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 Best Way to Cook Bacon
I was skeptical at first too. I mean, bacon in the oven…why? What’s wrong with cooking bacon in a skillet? Honestly, nothing. I love cooking with a skillet and bacon grease does a great job seasoning cast iron. But oven-baked bacon really is easier, cleaner, and more consistent. Here are a few reasons why:
- Even cooking, every time: The bacon lays flat and cooks evenly from edge to edge, with fewer burnt spots.
- Cook more at once: Make one big batch on a sheet pan (or multiple pans) instead of cooking in rounds.
- Hands-off: Pop it in the oven and let it do its thing, no flipping or babysitting required.
- Less splatter: No hot grease popping on your hands, clothes, or stovetop.
- Easy cleanup: Line the pan with foil or parchment and you’re basically done.
Whether you prefer your bacon chewy or extra crispy, this simple recipe just, works. Make a little extra and enjoy it in your next BLT sandwich, layered into cheeseburger sliders, or stirred into your next bowl of loaded potato soup.
Table of Contents
How to Cook Bacon in the Oven (Two Ways)
There are two ways to cook bacon in the oven: Directly on the baking sheet or on a baking rack. I’ve heard plenty of people swear that the secret to perfectly crisp, unbelievably delicious bacon is to bake it on a wire rack instead of laying it directly on the sheet pan.
However, I disagree.
While the real secret to perfect bacon is baking it in the oven, I actually get better, more consistent results when the slices cook directly on the baking sheet instead of on a rack. The bacon still turns crispy, but it stays a little less dry, and it cooks faster because it can sizzle in its own rendered fat as it bakes. It also cooks a little faster (and who doesn’t love that?!)
Oven-Baked Bacon Temperature + Cook Times
The time needed to cook bacon in the oven depends on two things: temperature and bacon thickness. Thick-cut bacon takes longer than thin slices, and lower oven temps need a few extra minutes. Use the timing chart below as a guide and start checking a couple minutes early since ovens and bacon brands can vary.
How Long to Cook Bacon in the Oven by Temperature
I like to cook bacon at 375 degrees F. It’s a reliable middle ground temperature that cooks evenly without scorching the edges. If you’re baking mixed thickness bacon (some thin, some thick), stick with 350 to 375 degrees F so the thinner slices don’t burn before the thicker pieces finish.
- 350 degrees F (177 degrees C): 23 to 28 minutes
- 375 degrees F (191 degrees C): 18 to 23 minutes
- 400 degrees F (204 degrees C): 15 to 20 minutes
- 425 degrees F (218 degrees C): 12 to 18 minutes
Helpful Cooking Tips
- Use a large rimmed baking sheet: A rimmed pan keeps rendered bacon grease contained so it doesn’t spill onto the oven floor.
- Line the pan for easy cleanup: Foil is my go-to, but parchment paper works too if that’’s’s what you have on hand.
- Rack vs no rack: A baking rack is optional. If you want to compare, try both, but I usually prefer bacon cooked directly on the sheet pan since it stays a little less dry and cooks a bit faster.
- No flipping needed: Bacon cooks evenly in the oven, so you can skip turning it halfway through.
- Watch the timing: Cook time varies based on bacon thickness, your oven, and how crispy you like it, so start checking a couple minutes early.
- Storage + reheating: Store cooked bacon in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. Reheat in the microwave in 10-second bursts until warmed through.
- Diet notes: This recipe is dairy-free, gluten-free, Whole30-friendly, and low-carb.
Frequently Asked Questions
Save it. Use it to season cast iron, sauté or fry foods (eggs, grilled cheese, French toast), drizzle over popcorn, or use it for kid-friendly projects like bird feeders.
Not like it does on the stovetop. Because the bacon stays flat on the pan, splatter is minimal.
Yes. If the slices separate easily, bake as usual and add 1 to 2 minutes. If it’s frozen in a solid block, defrost just until you can pull the slices apart, then bake normally.
Yes, as long as you’re baking at 400 degrees F or below (check your parchment’s package to confirm). Foil is my favorite because it contains grease more reliably and makes cleanup easier.
Yes, but it can turn out a bit leathery compared to pork bacon. Watch it closely and pull it as soon as it’s browned and crisped to your liking.
Try these bacon-packed recipes next
If you try cooking bacon in the oven, I’d love to hear what you think! Please leave a comment and a star rating below, your feedback helps other readers discover (and enjoy) this recipe too. Thank you so much! 💛
How to Cook Bacon in the Oven Recipe
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.
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
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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.