A convection oven on aluminum foil is the best way to cook bacon that is crispy and easy to clean up afterward. Use standard or thick-cut bacon to make great crispy bacon strips for breakfast or other uses.
Thin or thick bacon slices are needed. You’ll also need a ½-sheet pan or another large pan with a lip and heavy-duty, wide aluminum foil.
You don’t have to stand over the stove and flip bacon over and over again, trying to get it flat while getting burns on your hands. The convection oven will circulate the air to cook faster and crispier.
These step-by-step photo instructions make it easy to bake bacon for two or a lot of people. The aluminum boil makes cleanup a breeze.
As a bacon aficionado, I’ve tried just about every cooking method out there. While they all have their merits, using a convection oven consistently delivers the crispiest, most evenly cooked bacon with little effort. The circulating hot air surrounds each slice, crisping up the fat while fully rendering and caramelizing the meat.
If you’ve never experienced the magic of convection bacon, you’re in for a treat. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to cook flawless bacon in a convection oven every time Let’s get sizzling!
Convection Oven Bacon Basics
Before we get oven-specific, let’s go over some general tips for bacon excellence:
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Pick quality bacon – Go for thick-cut artisanal applewood smoked bacon rather than thin grocery store varieties for best flavor and texture.
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Prep properly – Always start with cold bacon straight from the fridge. Letting sit out leads to uneven cooking.
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Use a rimmed pan – Lined with foil it keeps the rendered fat contained and aids easy cleanup.
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Don’t overcrowd – Leave space between slices to allow air circulation.
With the basics covered, let’s dive into convection oven bacon bliss.
Step-by-Step Convection Bacon
Follow these simple steps for perfectly cooked bacon every time:
1. Preheat Oven & Prep Pan
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Preheat oven to 400°F in convection mode.
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Line rimmed baking sheet with foil. For easy release, lightly grease foil.
2. Arrange Bacon on Pan
- Lay cold bacon slices in a single layer on pan, evenly spaced.
3. Cook the Bacon
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Bake at 400°F for 15-18 minutes, until deep brown and crispy.
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For thick-cut bacon, extend cook time to 20-22 minutes.
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For chewier texture, reduce cook time by 2-3 minutes.
4. Drain and Serve
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Transfer bacon to paper towel-lined plate to drain.
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Blot tops with more paper towels to remove excess grease.
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Enjoy your hot, crispy, convection oven bacon!
That’s all it takes for the perfect bacon every time thanks to your convection oven.
Convection Oven Bacon Tips and Tricks
Follow these pro tips for convection bacon excellence:
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Use thick-cut, artisanal smoked bacon for best flavor and fat content.
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Chill bacon well before cooking for uniform texture.
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Rotate pan halfway through for even browning.
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Add a tablespoon of water to the pan to prevent smoking.
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Cook on a wire rack over a foil-lined pan if you want it super crispy.
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Adjust cook times based on your preferred level of crispness.
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Watch closely near the end to prevent burning.
Why Convection Bacon Rules
What makes cooking bacon in a convection oven so magical? Here are some key benefits:
Even Browning – The circulating hot air crisps and browns the bacon uniformly. No more fatty undercooked spots.
Faster Cooking – The moving air cooks the bacon 25% faster than a conventional oven.
Crispier Texture – The all-encompassing heat dries out the bacon slices for deliciously crisp results.
Consistent Results – Convection ovens eliminate hot and cool spots for predictable outcomes.
Easy Cleanup – Contained on a foil-lined pan, cleanup is quick and painless.
Best Uses for Cooked Convection Bacon
Now that you’ve mastered baking crispy bacon in the convection oven, here are some stellar ways to put it to use:
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Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato (BLT) Sandwiches
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Cobb Salad Topping
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Bacon Cheeseburgers
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Bacon and Brussels Sprouts
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Bacon-Wrapped Scallops
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Pasta Carbonara
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Breakfast Tacos
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Bacon Jam
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Candied Bacon
Now you can take any dish to the next level by topping it with convection oven bacon. It adds smoky richness and irresistible crunch.
Avoid Convection Bacon Pitfalls
Follow these troubleshooting tips if your bacon didn’t turn out right:
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Chewy bacon – Cook longer and use thicker slices. Convection ovens dehydrate.
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Burnt edges – Rotate pan and reduce cook time. Watch closely at end.
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Curled bacon – Use flat wire racks. Crowding causes curving as it shrinks.
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Uneven cooking – Make sure air can circulate around each slice. Don’t overcrowd.
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Stuck on foil – Lightly grease the foil first for easy release after cooking.
By mastering these convection oven bacon techniques, you’ll enjoy stellar results every time. Treat yourself to bacon that’s crispy, flavorful, and ready to take any dish up a notch. Ditch the messy stovetop spatter and bask in the convection bacon magic!
️What oven temperature to use
400° convection cooks both thicker and thinner bacon well. But I have used as low as 350° up to 450° in conjunction with baking other dishes simultaneously.
Convection is recommended for crispier bacon that will cook more evenly. If you have convection, use it. But cooking at different temperatures or without it won’t change the results much.
The bacon can go into a cold oven, but it adds time.
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for 4-5 days. Reheat in a microwave wrapped in a paper towel. Cooked bacon can also be frozen for up to a month per the USDA.
No, it is not needed.
While you can cook turkey bacon in the oven like pork bacon, it is thinner and much leaner. So, it will tend to stick without parchment paper. Cooking time will be 8 to 12 minutes—pay close attention.
You can cook bacon in the microwave. It is much more involved than just hitting the start button. You will need to cook on high for a while, then decrease the power to finish. Total cooking time is about the same with more fuss. Multiple studies have shown the results of baking bacon are better than microwave or stovetop cooking.
The bacon fat can be strained and refrigerated in a glass container with a lid for 3-6 months. It’s great for sautéing or roasting vegetables or frying an egg. You can also use it to add a hint of bacon to other dishes. The fat can turn bad quickly if unstrained as the food particles decay.
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⏰How long to bake bacon in a convection oven
18-20 minutes for medium-thick bacon in a 400° convection oven. It depends on the thickness and type of bacon, the oven temperature, and the level of browning you want. Cook until it’s crispy, not until it’s done, so check it a few times early on.
Thinner bacon will cook faster, while thick-cut bacon will take a few extra minutes to achieve perfect results. Some brands of bacon are cured differently, and time may vary.
If you use 350° with thick-cut bacon, it may take 25 minutes or more.
Cooking Bacon with a Convection Oven
FAQ
How do you cook bacon in a convection oven?
Is it better to bake bacon at 350 or 400?
Do you have to flip bacon when cooking in oven?
Can you cook bacon in a convection oven?
Cooking bacon in a convection oven is a great way to achieve crispy, evenly cooked bacon without the mess and hassle of stovetop cooking. Here’s a simple guide to cooking bacon in a convection oven. First, preheat your convection oven to 400°F. Place a wire rack on top of a baking sheet and arrange the bacon strips on the rack.
What is the best way to cook bacon?
The easiest way to cook crispy bacon is in a convection oven on aluminum foil for easy cleanup of the bacon grease. Use standard or thick-cut bacon to make great crispy bacon strips for breakfast or other uses. ✔️Tips to make it right every time. “This is, hands down, the best way to cook bacon.
How long do you cook bacon in the oven?
Bake the Bacon: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the bacon reaches your desired level of crispiness. Keep an eye on it towards the end to prevent overcooking. Remove and Drain: Once the bacon is done, carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven.
How long do you cook frozen Bacon in a convection oven?
The cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of your bacon slices, but typically it will take around 10-15 minutes. 2. Can I Cook Frozen Bacon In A Convection Oven?