Oven Fried Bacon is the easiest way to make crispy, perfectly cooked bacon every time. When you bake bacon, there's less mess, less fuss, and all of the deliciousness!
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Two Bite Tested
This is my favorite way to cook bacon at home and the method I come back to again and again. Oven frying bacon is popular because:
- It cooks evenly.
- It keeps splatters contained.
- It makes cleanup simpler.
This recipe includes:
- Detailed ingredient notes
- Answers to frequently asked questions
- Serving and storage suggestions
- A recipe card with nutritional information
A Note From My Kitchen
If you've been wanting to learn how to oven fry bacon at home, you're in the right place! Oven frying bacon yields the most delicious, crispy, perfectly cooked bacon with ease. Pan-frying bacon on the stovetop and Air Fryer Bacon are also good options for preparing bacon, but my favorite method is oven-frying.
In this post, I'll explain the basics of cooking strips of bacon in the oven. This includes the cooking time, preparing the pan, and checking if the bacon is cooked.
Once you try this easy, foolproof method of cooking bacon, you won't want to prepare it any other way again!
Happy cooking,
Ingredient Notes
While this is a single-ingredient recipe, there are still notes when it comes to the bacon you choose!
- Thick or Thin: The obvious choice you have to make is thick-cut or thin-sliced bacon slices. You can go with whichever you prefer. Thick bacon will require additional cooking time.
- Humanely Raised Pork: I also like to read my labels! Look for uncured bacon that is made from humanely raised pork and has no added nitrates or nitrites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I Use Aluminum Foil or Parchment Paper For Baked Bacon?
I like to cook my bacon in the oven on parchment paper, but foil works equally well. That means you can use foil or parchment paper to bake bacon in the oven with no problems. Another choice is to use a sheet pan without foil or paper, but it means more messy cleaning afterward. One baking sheet can hold half a pound of bacon. To cook one pound of bacon, you'll need two rimmed baking sheets. These are the baking sheets I use in my home. I love them!How Many People Will 1 lb of Bacon Serve?
Several things factor into how much bacon you will need per person. First, the size of the package. Bacon usually comes in 12 oz. or 16 oz. packages. If the package is smaller, it will obviously have less bacon. The thickness of the bacon will also be a factor in how many pieces of bacon are in the package. If your bacon is thick-cut, you should anticipate a smaller quantity of slices than a regular or thinly sliced package. For a standard sliced 1 lb package of bacon, you can expect 18-20 slices of bacon.With that in mind, one pound of bacon will serve 4-6 people.
How Long to Cook Bacon in Oven
Baked bacon takes roughly 18-25 minutes to cook in the oven. The typical guideline is to monitor your bacon after 10 minutes and periodically check it until it reaches your desired level of doneness. Longer cook times will yield crispier bacon. My regular sliced bacon was perfectly cooked for me at 23 minutes. Several things might affect how long it takes for your bacon to be fully cooked.What Affects Baked Bacon Cook Time?
- Thickness: Bacon thickness directly affects the cooking time required for it to be fully cooked. Thin or regular sliced bacon will take far less time than thick cut bacon.
- Fat content: If your bacon is extra fatty, more bacon grease will be released onto the pan during the cooking time. The more fat, the longer it will take for your bacon to crisp up.
- How much you're cooking: If you're making two sheet pans filled with bacon simultaneously, it will require slightly more time compared to baking just one pan. When baking two pans together, switch their positions after 10 minutes of cooking time. Move the top pan to the bottom and the bottom pan to the top.
- Oven temperature: Different ovens may cook at slightly different temperatures, so my oven may cook bacon more slowly than your oven. My recommendation for how long to bake bacon at 400 degrees F is 18 -23 minutes. Cooking the bacon at a lower heat will result in a lengthier cooking time, whereas cooking it at a higher temperature of 450 degrees may lead to burnt bacon if one is not extremely cautious.
Two Bite Take
"I can't believe how easy this cleanup is! So long frying pan, hello sheet pan. This is the best method for cooking bacon by far!"
- Becky, recipe author
Serving Suggestions
What to Serve With Oven Fried Bacon
If you're making a nice breakfast for your family, bacon and eggs are naturally a perfect combo! My favorite eggs are goat cheese scrambled eggs or Breakfast Quiche. They are decadent, delicious, and perfect to serve with your oven fried bacon. Round out the meal with my favorite breakfast potatoes. Another great way to serve this oven bacon is on a sandwich or salad. One of my favorites is a chicken BLT. For a fun breakfast twist the kids will love, serve your bacon alongside a Pancake in a Mug!A typical serving is about 3 slices of bacon.
Oven Fried Bacon Variations
Mix things up a little and try one of these tasty twists on oven bacon:- Maple Bacon: Brush bacon with maple syrup before baking for a sweet and salty twist.
- Spicy Bacon: Sprinkle bacon with cayenne pepper and paprika for a spicy twist.
- Peppered Bacon: Fresh ground black pepper will add bold flavor to your bacon.
Got Leftovers?
What To Do With Leftover Oven Fried Bacon
Leftover crispy bacon is a rare thing in my house. However, when it does happen occasionally, here are my preferred methods to make use of it (aside from indulging in it straight from the refrigerator):- top a burger
- make a BLT
- crumble over a salad
- mix into a creamy dip
- top a cream cheese bagel
- and so much more!
How To Store Oven Fried Bacon
If (and that's a big if!) you have any leftover bacon, you can store your bacon in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Cooked baked bacon can also be frozen. Freeze for up to three months.
Oven Fried Bacon
Yield: 1 lb
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Total time: 25 minutes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Total time: 25 minutes
Oven Fried Bacon is the easiest way to make crispy, perfectly cooked bacon every time. When you bake bacon, there's less mess, less fuss, and all of the deliciousness!
INGREDIENTS
1 pound bacon
1 pound bacon
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or foil.
- Arrange the bacon in a single layer on the prepared baking sheets.
- Place the bacon in the oven. After 10 minutes, check the bacon. Then, switch the baking sheets. Move the top one to the bottom rack and the bottom one to the top rack.
- Continue baking, checking frequently, for an additional 8-15 minutes, until the bacon is done to your liking.
- Remove the bacon from the oven. Using tongs, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and serve.
NOTES
When first learning how to bake bacon, it's important to begin checking your bacon early and continue checking it often until it's cooked to your liking.
Author: Becky Tarala
When first learning how to bake bacon, it's important to begin checking your bacon early and continue checking it often until it's cooked to your liking.
Author: Becky Tarala
Behind the Bites
Hi, I’m Becky, the creator of The Two Bite Club, where good food starts with two bites.
I’ve been cooking and sharing recipes here for years,
sharing the kinds of easy, dependable dishes that tend to become family favorites.
These are the recipes I make in my own kitchen, and I hope you enjoy them as much as we do.
You can read more about me and The Two Bite Club here!
I’ve been cooking and sharing recipes here for years,
sharing the kinds of easy, dependable dishes that tend to become family favorites.
These are the recipes I make in my own kitchen, and I hope you enjoy them as much as we do.
You can read more about me and The Two Bite Club here!
