Description
This recipe for oven-baked bacon delivers perfectly cooked slices that are crispy on the edges and chewy in the center, all without the mess of stovetop frying. Baking bacon in the oven ensures even cooking and allows you to easily prepare large batches with minimal effort, making it ideal for breakfasts, sandwiches, and salads.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 10 slices bacon
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Arrange the Bacon: Lay the bacon slices out flat on the parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer, ensuring the slices do not overlap or touch. This allows the bacon to cook evenly and become crispy.
- Bake the Bacon: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 14 minutes if you prefer chewy bacon, or up to 18 minutes for extra crispy bacon. Keep an eye towards the end as oven temperatures and bacon thickness can vary. Remember, the bacon will continue to crisp slightly after it’s removed from the oven.
- Drain and Serve: Using tongs, transfer the cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain off excess fat and cool slightly. Discard the bacon grease or save it in a jar for cooking other dishes that benefit from bacon flavor. Enjoy your perfectly baked bacon immediately, or use it in your favorite recipes.
Notes
- Thickness of bacon affects cooking time – thicker slices may need a minute or two longer for desired crispiness.
- Save the bacon grease for sautéing vegetables or adding flavor to other recipes.
- Use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and facilitate easier cleanup.
- Do not overlap bacon slices to ensure even cooking.
- Bacon will continue to crisp as it cools, so remove it just before it reaches your ideal texture.
- Adjust baking time depending on your oven’s heat calibration for best results.
