Bacon is a beloved breakfast staple, but it can be messy and time-consuming to fry. Baking bacon is a great alternative—it's easy, clean, and results in perfectly crispy bacon every time. Plus, you can make a lot of bacon at once, so it's perfect for meal prepping or feeding a crowd.
In this article, we'll walk you through the steps on how to bake bacon in the oven, as well as provide some tips for getting the best results. So whether you're a bacon aficionado or just looking for a quick and easy way to cook bacon, read on for everything you need to know.
Before we get started, let's gather the ingredients and materials you'll need:
How to Bake Bacon
Follow these simple steps for perfect baked bacon:
- Preheat oven.
- Line baking sheet.
- Arrange bacon slices.
- Bake until crispy.
- Drain on paper towels.
- Enjoy!
- Store leftovers.
- Clean up.
With these tips, you'll be able to bake bacon like a pro in no time.
Preheat oven.
The first step in baking bacon is to preheat your oven. This is important because it helps the bacon to cook evenly and prevents it from becoming chewy.
- Set the oven temperature: The ideal temperature for baking bacon is 400°F (200°C). This temperature is high enough to render the fat and crisp up the bacon, but not so high that it burns.
- Use the right oven setting: Most ovens have a "bake" setting, which is the best setting for baking bacon. If your oven has a convection setting, you can use that instead. Convection ovens circulate the hot air, which helps the bacon to cook more evenly.
- Preheat the oven for at least 10 minutes: This gives the oven time to reach the desired temperature and ensures that the bacon cooks evenly.
- Use an oven thermometer: If you're not sure if your oven is preheated to the correct temperature, use an oven thermometer to check. This will help you to avoid undercooked or overcooked bacon.
Once the oven is preheated, you can proceed to the next step: lining the baking sheet.
Line baking sheet.
Once the oven is preheated, it's time to line the baking sheet. This will help to prevent the bacon from sticking to the pan and make cleanup a breeze.
There are a few different materials you can use to line the baking sheet:
- Parchment paper: Parchment paper is a great option because it is non-stick and heat-resistant. It also makes cleanup very easy, as you can simply remove the parchment paper from the baking sheet after the bacon is cooked.
- Aluminum foil: Aluminum foil is another good option for lining the baking sheet. It is also non-stick and heat-resistant. However, it can be a bit more difficult to clean up than parchment paper, as it tends to stick to the bacon.
- Silicone baking mat: Silicone baking mats are a reusable option that can be used over and over again. They are non-stick and heat-resistant, and they also help to distribute heat evenly. However, silicone baking mats can be more expensive than parchment paper or aluminum foil.
Once you have chosen a lining material, cut it to size so that it fits the baking sheet. Then, place the lining material on the baking sheet and press it down to make sure it is secure.
Now that the baking sheet is lined, you can proceed to the next step: arranging the bacon slices.
Arrange bacon slices.
Once the baking sheet is lined, it's time to arrange the bacon slices. There are a few things to keep in mind when arranging the bacon:
- Don't overcrowd the baking sheet: Leave some space between the bacon slices so that they can cook evenly. If the bacon slices are too close together, they will steam instead of crisp up.
- Arrange the bacon slices in a single layer: Don't stack the bacon slices on top of each other. This will prevent the bacon from cooking evenly.
- Trim the bacon slices if necessary: If the bacon slices are too long to fit on the baking sheet, trim them so that they fit. You can also cut the bacon slices in half or thirds if you want smaller pieces.
Once you have arranged the bacon slices on the baking sheet, you can proceed to the next step: baking the bacon.
Tips for arranging bacon slices:
- Use tongs to arrange the bacon slices on the baking sheet. This will help to prevent the bacon from sticking to your hands.
- If you are using a large baking sheet, you may need to cook the bacon in batches. Just be sure to preheat the oven and line the baking sheet each time.
- If you want to make bacon bits, simply crumble the cooked bacon into small pieces.
Now that the bacon slices are arranged, you can proceed to the next step: baking the bacon.
Bake until crispy.
Once the bacon slices are arranged on the baking sheet, it's time to bake the bacon. The amount of time it takes to bake the bacon will depend on the thickness of the bacon slices and how crispy you want the bacon to be.
- Bake the bacon for 15-20 minutes: This is a good starting point for baking bacon. If you want the bacon to be more crispy, bake it for a few minutes longer.
- Keep an eye on the bacon while it's baking: The bacon can go from perfectly crispy to burnt very quickly, so it's important to keep an eye on it while it's baking.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature of the bacon: The bacon is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). If you don't have a meat thermometer, you can also check the bacon by bending it. If the bacon snaps, it's done.
- Remove the bacon from the oven and let it cool: Once the bacon is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Now that the bacon is baked, you can proceed to the next step: draining the bacon on paper towels.
Drain on paper towels.
Once the bacon is baked, it's important to drain it on paper towels to remove any excess grease. This will help to make the bacon crispy and prevent it from becoming soggy.
To drain the bacon on paper towels, simply place the bacon slices on a paper towel-lined plate. Then, cover the bacon with another layer of paper towels and press down gently to absorb the grease.
You can also use a paper towel-lined baking sheet to drain the bacon. This is a good option if you are baking a large batch of bacon.
Once the bacon is drained, it's ready to serve or store.
Tips for draining bacon on paper towels:
- Use a paper towel that is large enough to absorb all of the grease. You may need to use two or three paper towels, depending on the amount of bacon you are draining.
- Press down on the bacon gently to absorb the grease. Don't press too hard, or you will break the bacon.
- If you are using a paper towel-lined baking sheet to drain the bacon, place the baking sheet in a slight incline so that the grease can drain away from the bacon.
Now that the bacon is drained, you can proceed to the next step: enjoying the bacon!
Enjoy!
Once the bacon is drained, it's time to enjoy it! There are many ways to enjoy bacon, including:
- Eat it on its own: Bacon is a delicious snack on its own. Simply grab a slice and enjoy!
- Add it to a sandwich or wrap: Bacon is a classic sandwich topping. It's also great in wraps, burritos, and tacos.
- Use it as a pizza topping: Bacon is a popular pizza topping. It adds a smoky, salty flavor to pizza.
- Add it to pasta: Bacon is a great addition to pasta dishes. It adds a rich, savory flavor.
These are just a few ideas for how to enjoy bacon. Get creative and experiment with different ways to use bacon in your favorite recipes.
Store leftovers.
If you have any leftover bacon, you can store it in the refrigerator or freezer for later use.
- To store bacon in the refrigerator: Place the bacon in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
- To store bacon in the freezer: Place the bacon in a freezer bag and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- To reheat bacon: You can reheat bacon in the microwave, oven, or skillet. Just be sure to reheat it until it is warm all the way through.
- Use leftover bacon in recipes: Leftover bacon can be used in a variety of recipes, such as salads, soups, and casseroles.
Here are some tips for storing leftover bacon:
- Make sure the bacon is completely cool before storing it.
- Store the bacon in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out.
- If you are storing the bacon in the freezer, label the freezer bag with the date so you know how long it has been stored.
Clean up.
Once you're finished enjoying your bacon, it's time to clean up. Here are a few tips for cleaning up after baking bacon:
- Let the baking sheet cool down completely before cleaning it. This will help to prevent the grease from splattering.
- Soak the baking sheet in hot soapy water for a few minutes. This will help to loosen the grease and make it easier to clean.
- Use a sponge or dishcloth to scrub the baking sheet. Be sure to get into all of the nooks and crannies.
- Rinse the baking sheet thoroughly with hot water.
- Dry the baking sheet with a clean towel.
If you used parchment paper or aluminum foil to line the baking sheet, you can simply remove the lining and throw it away. This will make cleanup even easier.
Once the baking sheet is clean, you can store it in a cupboard or pantry until you need it again.
Here are some additional tips for cleaning up after baking bacon:
- If you have a dishwasher, you can place the baking sheet in the dishwasher to clean it.
- If you have a self-cleaning oven, you can use the self-cleaning cycle to clean the oven after baking bacon.
- Be sure to clean up any grease splatters on your stovetop or oven.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about baking bacon:
Question 1: What is the best temperature to bake bacon at?
Answer 1: The best temperature to bake bacon at is 400°F (200°C).
Question 2: How long do I need to bake bacon?
Answer 2: The amount of time you need to bake bacon will depend on the thickness of the bacon slices and how crispy you want the bacon to be. A good starting point is to bake the bacon for 15-20 minutes.
Question 3: Do I need to flip the bacon while it's baking?
Answer 3: No, you don't need to flip the bacon while it's baking. The bacon will cook evenly on both sides.
Question 4: What is the best way to drain bacon?
Answer 4: The best way to drain bacon is to place the bacon slices on a paper towel-lined plate. Then, cover the bacon with another layer of paper towels and press down gently to absorb the grease.
Question 5: How can I store leftover bacon?
Answer 5: You can store leftover bacon in the refrigerator for up to 7 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Question 6: How do I clean up after baking bacon?
Answer 6: Let the baking sheet cool down completely before cleaning it. Then, soak the baking sheet in hot soapy water for a few minutes. Scrub the baking sheet with a sponge or dishcloth, rinse it thoroughly with hot water, and dry it with a clean towel.
Question 7: Can I use bacon grease for cooking?
Answer 7: Yes, you can use bacon grease for cooking. It adds a smoky, savory flavor to dishes.
These are just a few of the most frequently asked questions about baking bacon. If you have any other questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.
Now that you know how to bake bacon, here are a few tips to help you make the best bacon possible:
Tips
Here are a few tips to help you make the best bacon possible:
Tip 1: Use thick-cut bacon. Thick-cut bacon is less likely to overcook and will have a more satisfying texture.
Tip 2: Preheat your oven. Preheating your oven is essential for getting crispy bacon. Make sure the oven is fully preheated before you put the bacon in.
Tip 3: Don't overcrowd the baking sheet. If you overcrowd the baking sheet, the bacon will steam instead of crisp up. Make sure there is enough space between the bacon slices so that they can cook evenly.
Tip 4: Keep an eye on the bacon while it's baking. Bacon can go from perfectly crispy to burnt very quickly, so it's important to keep an eye on it while it's baking. Check the bacon frequently and remove it from the oven as soon as it reaches your desired level of crispiness.
Tip 5: Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature of the bacon. The bacon is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). If you don't have a meat thermometer, you can also check the bacon by bending it. If the bacon snaps, it's done.
These are just a few tips to help you make the best bacon possible. With a little practice, you'll be able to bake bacon like a pro!
Now that you know how to bake bacon and have some tips for making the best bacon possible, it's time to put your skills to the test. Give it a try and enjoy delicious, crispy bacon anytime you want.
Conclusion
Baking bacon is a quick, easy, and delicious way to cook bacon. It's perfect for busy weeknights or for feeding a crowd. Plus, you can make a lot of bacon at once, so it's great for meal prepping or storing in the freezer for later use.
In this article, we've walked you through the steps on how to bake bacon in the oven, as well as provided some tips for getting the best results. We've also answered some frequently asked questions about baking bacon.
So what are you waiting for? Give baking bacon a try today and enjoy crispy, delicious bacon anytime you want!
Here are the main points to remember:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, aluminum foil, or a silicone baking mat.
- Arrange the bacon slices in a single layer on the baking sheet.
- Bake the bacon for 15-20 minutes, or until it reaches your desired level of crispiness.
- Drain the bacon on paper towels to remove excess grease.
- Enjoy the bacon or store it for later use.
With a little practice, you'll be able to bake bacon like a pro! So next time you're craving bacon, give baking it a try. You won't be disappointed.