How to cook perfect crispy bacon in the oven with almost no mess!
I have a dirty little secret. Many people would think this just isn’t possible, but those that know me closest know that it is true. Okay… here it goes. I don’t like bacon. There. I said it. And it really is true!
I used to like bacon, I mean like a normal person, so really I loved it. I loved it to be super crispy and I can still remember cooking it over the campfire and the smell taunting me until it was finally done and we could devour it. As I got older I moved more toward a vegetarian diet and now only eat chicken and turkey, so sadly, no bacon and I really lost my taste for it.
My poor family though, they love bacon, and since I am the head meal planner, grocery shopper, meal prepper, chef and waiter in this house, it doesn’t get added to the menu as often as they would like. I really don’t mind them eating it, I just hate cooking the stuff. It is so darn messy. Can you relate?
When I saw this pin scroll through my feed for bacon made in the oven, it was a must try. What a great comprimise. They get their bacon and I have a minimal mess and clean up. Unless it was too good to be true, in that way where Pinterest makes it look simple but it is really an oven fire waiting to happen.
So it came time to give it a try. I followed the pin exactly. Line the cookie sheet with foil, I thought it was a great tip to use grilling foil
to cover the whole pan, less mess for clean up since it is wide and covers the whole pan.
I placed the bacon on the cookie sheet and put it in a cold oven then set it to 375˚F. I let it bake for 15 minutes gave it a check and decided my fam would want it a little crispier. I let it bake for another 5 minutes and it was just right.
After you take it out of the oven let it cool for a few minutes then use tongs to transfer it to some paper towels and let it drain the grease a bit.
Bacon Cooked in the Oven – PIN WIN!!
Once it cooled down it was PERFECT! Huge pin win. In a major way.
- Crispy bacon
- Only 2 minutes of prep
- Clean up consists of wadding up a ball of foil and doing a 2-pointer into the trash.
I will never make bacon another way again, and my family is cheering because they will be getting it much more often. There are so many new dishes I can make since it is so easy to make now!
Have you tried making bacon in the oven? What is your favorite way to make it?
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How to Cook {Perfect & Crispy} Bacon in the Oven
Ingredients
- Bacon
Instructions
- Line a cookie sheet with foil.
- Lay bacon in a single layer on the cookie sheet.
- Put into a cold oven and set to 375F.
- Bake for 15-25 minutes or until done to desired crispiness.
(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)
Maggie Valera says
Don’t forget to put that bacon grease in a jar in the refrigerator. A little bit of that in the pan when you’re cooking eggs or frying potatoes and you’ll never use margarine (yuck!) or shortening (eek!) again and it adds so much flavor!
Cindi Colvin says
I’m the same way. Everyone throwing away good grease. Never!!
Linda W. says
I agree! I save both, bacon and sausage grease, for that reason. The sausage grease comes in handy for some quick breakfast gravy, too.
CWare says
Been doing something similar for years, usually on holidays or with visitors.
–oven set to 250 degrees.
–line a metal edged tray with aluminum foil
–insert cookie cooling rack
–slice bacon in half
–single lay bacon on rack
visit with friends and family while bacon ‘melts’
–use a pancake turner to remove bacon from racks & serve with the rest of breakfast
–after company leaves, toss cooled greasy foil into trash. Cookies sheets need only slight cleaning.
Maggie says
I’ve cooked bacon this way for years, started out by putting it on a broiler pan. Also if you need to save time, especially if you’re going to be making a big amount, you can blanch the bacon first. That’s how it’s done in breakfast restaurants.
I do think you missed a crucial step though, saving the bacon grease in a container in the refrigerator for cooking and seasoning dishes.
Cooking with Adeline says
I saw your post on Pintetest. I love making bacon in the oven!
I’m a consultant for Demarle at home – a nonstick cookware company. When I saw your baking sheet covered with foil, I said to myself:”This lady need our amazing Deep Flexiflat!” The Deep Flexiflat is a rectangular pan with edges, you can roast veggies, bake meat, fish and more. Our cookware are very versatile. If you’re interested we could organize your Facebook cooking party and you could get discounted and free products. 😉 Regards,
Adeline
Kimber says
Hi Adeline, Thanks for stopping by. I do have several Silpat liners I love, but when I cook something super messy like bacon, I always use foil so I can just fold up the foil and toss it in the trash to make clean up a breeze. With 3 kids and a crazy hectic schedule, sometimes you just need an easy way to get things done!
Kimber says
Hi Adeline, Thanks for stopping by. I do have several Silpat liners I love, but when I cook something super messy like bacon, I always use foil so I can just fold up the foil and toss it in the trash to make clean up a breeze. With 3 kids and a crazy hectic schedule, sometimes you just need an easy way to get things done!
CookingwithAdeline says
I’m glad you love the SILPAT. 😉 Our cookware are mainly known for a easy breazy cleanup. 😉 And are perfect for busy moms. I can assure you that when you’d give a try to our Flexipan you don”t want to use any other pan or dishe after that.
Would you be interested about having a Facebook party? You could get discount and free products. You just have to invite your friends, I will post daily recipes and videos. If you want we can give it a try. How does it sound to you?
Adeline
Cathy says
Making bacon in the oven is easy; but greasy. I found a way to make it grease free. Hang the bacon over the oven rack and place a baking sheet under it to catch the grease. I then store the caught grease to season veggies
Kimber says
Such a great tip!! Thanks so much for letting me know! I think I need a part 2 to this post with other tips people have given me!
Marna G says
I love this method. I put a rectangular piece of parchment paper on top of the foil. That way I can reuse that huge piece of foil
Kimber says
That is a great tip! Thank you!!
Michael Prager says
Great culinary technique but if you don’t start with the right bacon it won’t work. You must use Canadian style, thinly cut, streaky bacon. Try it with the thicker cut Eurooean back bacon and you’ll just end up with a bit of pink shoe leather. That is not meant to be crispy and must be cooked only until the fat caramelises and the bacon is tender.
Rachel says
Do you have to flip it any?
Kimber says
No need to flip… its super easy!
Rachel says
Ok! Thank you Kimber!! 🙂
Kathy Nealon says
I’ve been baking my bacon this way since I saw a friend do it years ago. Works great! I’ve used parchment paper and do flip it after 10 minutes or so. Want to and a little flavor? After flipping sprinkle some brown sugar and basil on the bacon. Continue to cook til crispy. My friend calls it Crazy Bacon. Amazing taste!
Kimber says
Now THAT sounds amazing!! Thanks for the tip! I will have to give it a try!
Debbi says
I have also been baking my bacon for several years now, and can’t imagine ever frying or microwaving it again. 20 minutes, however, is nowhere near long enough. Perhaps my bacon is a little thicker, or I just like it crispier, but I usually bake it for about 50-60 minutes after pre-heating the oven. I use the Wright’s brand, as I like the flavor of it.
Also, another easy clean-up tip, is to crumple the foil a little, so the bacon is not just sitting in the grease, but rather on top of it, so the grease can drain down.
It does make clean-up a whole lot easier, although I usually have some grease seeping through to the pan.
Rick says
I just tried this, and you’re absolutely right, 20 minutes is nowhere near long enough. I’m not sure I’d start with a cold oven either.