If you’ve ever wondered how to cook bacon in the oven, this is the post for you. It’s my favorite method for cooking bacon. Oven cooked bacon means less mess, and more control over perfectly cooked bacon every time.
Why? Because today I’m sharing with you my favorite method for cooking bacon. This method will stay on the blog for good, which makes me happy because I use it all the time.
Putting bacon in a skillet is one of my least favorite things to do. What about you? It creates grease splatters everywhere. And everything and everyone smells like bacon for days afterwards. Ugh.
But I love eating bacon. And that precooked stuff you can buy now-a-days is really not very good.
That’s where this oven baked method for cooking bacon comes in. Yes it is life changing!
As an avid bacon lover, I’m always looking for ways to cook crispy, delicious bacon without creating a greasy mess in my kitchen. Recently, I discovered that using parchment paper is a game-changer for baking bacon in the oven. Parchment paper helps the bacon cook evenly, keeps it from sticking to the pan, and contains splatters for easy clean-up. I was thrilled to realize I can skip dirtyingextra dishes to cook my favorite meaty treat!
I will tell you everything I know about cooking bacon on parchment paper in this big guide. No matter how much you know about bacon or how new you are to cooking pork belly, you’ll find ways to make your oven-baked bacon even better. Let’s get cooking!.
What is Parchment Paper?
Before we dive in, let’s cover the basics. Butcher paper, which is sometimes called “bakery paper,” is a thick, non-stick paper that is used for cooking and baking. You can bake, roast, or pan-fry food right on top of it because it can handle high heat. It doesn’t need extra butter or oil because the surface doesn’t stick to baked goods. Paper made from parchment can also be used again and again; just let it cool completely before washing it.
Benefits of Cooking Bacon on Parchment Paper
Cooking bacon in the oven has advantages over stovetop methods, and using parchment paper amplifies those benefits:
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Even cooking Parchment allows heat to circulate completely around each slice for consistent doneness without hot spots
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Crispy texture: The bacon fries in its own fat, which makes it crispier than bacon that has been sautéed or pan-fried.
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Easy cleanup: Parchment contains splatters and drains off excess grease. No more bacon splashed all over your stovetop!
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Perfect results Parchment helps bacon cook straight with less curling so more surface area gets crispy,
Step-by-Step Guide to Cooking Bacon on Parchment Paper
Cooking bacon on parchment paper is simple. Just follow these easy steps for crispy, splatter-free bacon every time.
1. Preheat Oven and Prep Parchment Paper
Preheat your oven to 400°F. As it heats, line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Make sure the paper lays flat across the entire surface. For easy cleanup, place a second sheet underneath to catch any drips.
2. Arrange the Bacon
Place bacon slices side by side on the parchment paper. Make sure none of the slices are overlapping. This will help the bacon cook evenly.
Depending on how much bacon you’re cooking, you may need two baking sheets. Divide the bacon between the two lined pans, arranging slices in a single layer on each.
3. Cook the Bacon
Bake the bacon for 10-15 minutes. After 10 minutes, check it. Continue cooking another 5 minutes or so until the bacon reaches your desired level of crispiness.
I like my bacon extra crispy so I bake it for 15-17 minutes total. Watch the bacon closely near the end to prevent burning.
4. Drain and Blot Excess Grease
Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Use tongs to transfer the cooked bacon to a plate lined with paper towels. Blot gently with more paper towels to soak up any excess grease.
5. Enjoy Your Crispy Bacon!
Your perfectly cooked, crispy oven bacon is ready to enjoy! You’ll be amazed how evenly baked it is. The fat renders out during baking so the bacon gets incredibly crisp without charring or burning.
Tips for Baked Bacon Perfection
Follow these tips to take your oven-cooked bacon to the next level:
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Use thick-cut bacon for the best texture. Thicker slices bake up extra crispy.
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Season before baking. Sprinkle cracked pepper, brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, or other spices on the bacon before cooking.
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Weigh bacon down. Place a baking rack over the bacon, then top with another baking sheet to keep slices flat.
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Try baking on a rack. Elevating the bacon on a rack set inside the baking sheet allows more hot air circulation for uber-crispy results.
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Make baked bacon slices. Cut regular sliced bacon crosswise into smaller pieces to yield bacon “bits” for salads and toppings.
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Cook different flavors. Mix up flavors by baking maple bacon, applewood smoked, peppered, or other gourmet varieties.
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Bake bacon at higher heat. For maximum crispiness, bake at 425°F-450°F and watch closely to prevent burning.
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Freeze extra baked bacon. Let cooked bacon cool completely, then freeze in airtight bags for up to 2 months. Reheat in the microwave or oven.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions about cooking bacon on parchment paper? Here are answers to some of the most common queries.
Is it Safe to Cook Bacon Directly on Parchment Paper?
Yes, parchment paper is totally safe for oven-baking bacon directly on top. Parchment withstands heat up to 420°F before it begins to burn. As long as you don’t exceed this temp, it will hold up during baking without releasing any harmful compounds.
Does Parchment Paper Absorb a Lot of Bacon Grease?
Parchment paper is grease-resistant, not grease-proof. Some of the rendered bacon fat will soak through during baking. For easy cleanup, I recommend lining your baking sheet with two layers of parchment – one directly under the bacon and a second on the pan itself.
Can You Reuse Parchment Paper for Cooking Bacon?
It’s best not to reuse parchment paper that has been used for cooking bacon. The bacon grease impregnates the parchment, so it will not be effectively non-stick if reused. For other foods, reused parchment may impart bacon flavor, which is not always desirable.
What Kind of Parchment Paper is Best for Baking Bacon?
Opt for unbleached parchment paper whenever possible. Bleached parchment contains perfluorinated compounds that may be harmful when exposed to high heat. Unbleached paper is the safest choice for oven cooking.
Should the Shiny Side or Dull Side of Parchment Face Up?
It makes no difference which side of parchment paper faces up when baking bacon. Both sides are treated and are equally non-stick. Flip over reused parchment so the clean side faces up.
Ready, Set, Bacon!
How to cook lots of bacon
Most ovens can handle up to three half-sheets of bacon at once (one on each rack). I actually cooked bacon for 30 people last week this way. The oven method makes it so much easier to cook bacon for a crowd.
If your oven has convection bake that will usually help multiple sheets cook more evenly. But with or without convection, your oven may have hot spots. To keep the bacon from cooking unevenly, I suggest moving the baking sheets around during the cooking process (to different racks and directions). Lower the temp by 25 degrees if using convection (or check 5 to 10 minutes sooner).
A few tips & tricks
I like my bacon just barely crisp, but still chewy. Once cooked bacon is taken out of the oven, it’s not crispy right away. But as it cools, it gets crispy. After a while, you’ll learn how long to cook it for so that it gets crispy without getting burnt. In my oven it’s somewhere around 25 minutes, give or take. Remember that the length of time it needs to cook may depend on your oven and the thickness of the bacon.
I baked bacon one time before going to do something with my family in the next room. And then forgot about it. Well I guess I didn’t really forget. In my mind I knew it was there and it was cooking. I just thought it was going to take a while. Periodically during the activity someone would ask about the bacon and I assured them it was fine. Well when we were done I went and opened the oven and it was not fine. The whole batch was burnt black to a crisp. Sad day. They haven’t let me live that one down yet.
Don’t be like me, my friends. Set a timer.