Making bacon in the oven is easy, mess-free, and results in perfect crispy bacon every time!

Who doesn’t love a crispy BLT sandwich, featuring a stack of yummy bacon? Or a side of bacon with an omelette at the breakfast table? Why not add a few strips of bacon to a cheeseburger? A handful of bacon bits makes a great garnish for a creamy soup or hearty stew.

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Bacon is that humble, affordable all-American food that is so popular in so many culinary applications! But doesn’t everyone hate the mess? Splattering grease, smoky kitchens, and a sticky skillet to clean! This recipe shows you how to fry bacon in the oven on parchment paper in mere minutes, with no flipping, no babysitting the skillet, and no splatters!

Cooking bacon in the oven is the insider secret you’ll wish you always knew! When you fix bacon in the oven, you’re freed up for other tasks, the stovetop stays clean and the baking sheet is a breeze to clean! Make it ahead and it will be ready when needed!

How to Bake Bacon in the Oven

  1. The best way to cook bacon in the oven is to start with a pre-heated oven at just the right temp so the bacon starts cooking right away.
  2. Arrange bacon strips on a baking sheet prepared with parchment paper, and make sure they don’t overlap.

uncooked Bacon in the Oven on a baking sheet with parchment paper

What Temperature Do You Cook Bacon in the Oven?

Fixing bacon can’t be easier when using this method! Cook bacon in a preheated oven set to 400°F, that seems to be the best temperature for crispy bacon!

How Long Do You Cook Bacon in the Oven?

  • Judging the doneness of bacon is a personal thing. Some folks like softer bacon strips that drape perfectly over a hamburger patty while others prefer their bacon to be crispy and crunchy to go with their breakfast or in a sandwich or a wrap. The general rule of thumb is about 18 to 20 minutes or until it’s cooked to your personal preference!
  • If you have thicker cut bacon, just cook it a little longer.
  • Frozen bacon will need to be separated into individual pieces before it can be laid out on the pan, and it might just take a little longer. Try soaking the unopened package in hot water for a few minutes to help it separate.

Bacon in the Oven before baking

How to Cook Crispy Bacon in the Oven

Cooking bacon in the oven is one the easiest things to do, and it’s a great way to control how the bacon turns out!

  1. Preheat the oven and prepare a sheet pan with parchment paper.
  2. Line up slices of bacon (making sure the slices don’t touch) and place the baking pan on a center rack of the oven.
  3. Cook until desired doneness is achieved. Once cooked, remove the slices and place them on paper towels to drain.

I find that the bacon gets crispy enough without a rack in the baking tray, but if you prefer, you can cook it on a baking rack as well.

cooked Bacon in the Oven on a plate with blueberry dutch baby pancake

PRO TIP: Bacon can be cooked directly on a baking sheet but having a liner down keeps it from sticking to the pan and makes clean up a snap!

Save the Bacon Grease!

The best way to trap the bacon grease is to use a baking sheet that is big enough to cook a whole package of bacon, but deep enough to trap the grease. Save that bacon grease! It’s an excellent source of (bacon-flavored!) fat for frying eggs, sauteing veggies, or rubbing on meat before cooking.

PRO TIP: Bacon grease is also great for making a roux which is the foundation for savory gravies and sauces. Simply cook the bacon grease with equal parts of flour until it’s browned. Then add a liquid like broth, wine, or milk to create a sauce.

Bacon in the Oven on a white plate

How to Store Bacon

  • Cooked slices of bacon can be stored in a zip top bag or a Stasher bag in the refrigerator and then used as needed for recipes for about 5 days.
  • Cooked bacon can even be frozen for future use! Label the package with the date on it and it should keep in the freezer for about a month or two.
close up of Bacon in the Oven on a white plate with a napkin
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Bacon in the Oven

Bacon in the oven is the easiest way to cook bacon, and it makes clean up a cinch!
Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Author Candace

Ingredients  

  • 1 package bacon

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F. Arrange bacon on a parchment lined baking tray. Do not overlap.
  • Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until bacon is crisp and cooked as desired.
  • Place on paper towels to drain.
5 from 18 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
Or to leave a comment, click here!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 230 | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 36mg | Sodium: 366mg | Potassium: 109mg | Vitamin A: 20IU | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information does not include optional ingredients or garnish and is an estimate. It may change based on actual ingredients and cooking methods used.

Course Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine American

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About the author

I am a wife, mother of two, and professional accountant. I love fantastic food, and it is so often the center of our lives, from everyday dinner, to family gatherings, and special evenings at fabulous restaurants. I have always loved cooking and baking, with my mom and grandma, and now, with my daughter and son. I love trying new recipes while enjoying my favorites too. I’m so happy to share them with you.
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