Cooking bacon in the oven creates perfectly crispy, delicious bacon. It’s also very simple, makes less of a mess than cooking it on the stove, and lets you do other things in the kitchen at the same time. If you’ve never baked bacon, give it a try!.
Bacon ends are the less tasty pieces that are left over after all the good bacon slices have been eaten. But with the right cooking method, these oddly shaped pieces can be turned into crispy, smokey treats that people will want to eat all the time.
Baking bacon ends in the oven allows you to transform them into crunchy, flavorful morsels perfect for topping other dishes or enjoying on their own Read on to learn how to cook bacon ends in the oven for maximum crispness
Why Bake Bacon Ends in the Oven?
Cooking bacon on the stovetop often leads to splattering, uneven cooking, and constant monitoring. Baking in the oven eliminates these issues for a hands-off approach to achieving crispy browned bacon with zero hassle.
Benefits of oven-baked bacon ends:
- Less splattering and mess – the oven contains grease drips.
- Evenly cooked all over without having to flip.
- Perfect crispness without burning.
- Allow you to cook a large batch at once.
- Free you up to make other parts of the meal.
- Infuse with smoky flavor in a closed environment.
Oven baking also removes excess grease from bacon ends making them less fatty than pan-fried.
How to Bake Irregular Bacon Ends Evenly
The irregular shapes and thicknesses of bacon end pieces can lead to uneven cooking when baking Here are some tips to get consistent crisping
- Line the baking sheet with parchment or a wire rack to lift ends from grease.
- Spread out in a single layer without overlapping.
- Flip halfway through cooking.
- Add thin ends towards the end of cooking time.
- Adjust temperature and time as needed.
With a few easy tweaks, you can achieve crisp, lightly browned bacon ends from edge to edge.
Step-by-Step Guide to Crispy Oven-Baked Bacon Ends
Follow this simple process for turning bacon ends into crunchy baked goodness:
Ingredients
- Bacon ends, about 3 cups
- Parchment paper or aluminum foil
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 400°F.
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Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. For crispiest results, place a oven-safe wire rack on top.
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Arrange bacon ends in a single layer on the baking sheet without overlapping.
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Place in the cold oven, then turn oven on and set temperature to 400°F. This allows the bacon grease to render slowly.
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Bake for 25-35 minutes, flipping bacon ends halfway through. Thinner ends may need less time.
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Remove once deep golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
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Let cool slightly before serving or incorporating into recipes.
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Enjoy the crispy bacon end bites on their own or crumble them on anything from breakfast tacos to loaded baked potatoes.
That’s all it takes for deliciously crispy oven-baked bacon ends! The low and slow rendering coupled with high heat makes them perfectly browned and ultra crunchy.
How Long Should You Bake Bacon Ends?
Bacon end cook times can vary based on thickness, oven type, and desired level of crispness.
Here are general guidelines:
- Thin ends: 20-25 minutes
- Medium ends: 25-30 minutes
- Thick ends: 30-35 minutes
Rotate the baking sheet and flip ends midway through for even browning.
Always watch closely near the end of baking time as ovens can quickly overcook. You want deeply browned but not burnt.
What Temperature is Best for Baking Bacon Ends?
The optimal oven temperature for crisping up irregular bacon ends is 400°F.
Higher heat helps render fat and crisp up the meat faster. Temperatures under 375°F may not fully cook thicker ends in under 35 minutes.
If bacon ends are browning too fast, you can lower heat to 375°F. Just extend cooking time by 5 minutes or so.
Baking Sheet and Rack Options
A rimmed baking sheet contains the bacon grease for easy cleanup. Lining it with parchment paper or foil makes removing the crispy ends easy.
For maximum crispness, place an oven-safe wire rack over the lined pan. This elevates the bacon from the rendered fat, allowing air circulation to completely dehydrate the underside.
A broiler pan with slits can also be used to let grease drip through for ultra crispy bacon.
Cooking Thick Bacon Ends Evenly
Thicker bacon end pieces over 1/4 inch may need some special treatment for crisping:
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Trim excess fat from the edges to prevent curling.
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Cut larger ends in half to reduce thickness.
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Cook at a lower temp like 375°F to allow interior to fully cook.
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Add 2-3 minutes to the baking time.
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Rotate baking sheet and flip halfway for even cooking.
With a few adjustments, you can achieve crispy baked bacon ends regardless of shape or size.
Oven-Baked Bacon End Recipe Ideas
Now that you know how to transform bacon ends into crunchy bites of flavor, here are some yummy ways to eat them:
- Crumble over salads, baked potatoes, or pizza.
- Mix into scrambled eggs or omelets.
- Sprinkle on top of casseroles or soups.
- Toss with roasted Brussels sprouts or green beans.
- Add to macaroni and cheese or baked beans.
- Use in place of bacon bits as a topping.
- Make homemade bacon crumbles for seasoning.
- Fold into pancake or waffle batter.
- Top a bacon cheeseburger for extra flavor.
With their intense smoky taste in crunchy little pieces, baked bacon ends make any dish more crave-worthy.
Storing and Freezing Leftover Bacon Ends
Like regular bacon, cooked bacon ends should be consumed within 5-7 days for maximum freshness. To extend their shelf life:
- Let cool completely before storing.
- Keep in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Use within 4 days for the best texture.
Cooked bacon ends also freeze well for 2-3 months.
To freeze:
- Cool completely then transfer to freezer bags.
- Press out air and seal tightly.
- Freeze flat to prevent breaking.
- Thaw before use.
Frozen oven-baked bacon ends retain their flavor and crispness when thawed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you cook bacon ends from frozen?
It’s best to thaw frozen bacon ends completely before baking to ensure even cooking.
Should you boil bacon ends before baking?
Boiling is not necessary and can cause them to curl. Simply bake from raw.
Why are my bacon ends chewy after baking?
They likely needed more time in the oven. Make sure to bake at 400°F for full crispness.
Can you bake bacon ends covered in aluminum foil?
Cooking covered will steam rather than crisp them. Always bake uncovered.
How long do baked bacon ends last?
Cooked bacon ends stay fresh for 4-5 days in the fridge. They can be frozen for 2-3 months.
Get the Most Out of Your Bacon Ends
Don’t throw away those irregular bacon ends! With a simple 400°F oven bake, you can transform them into deliciously crispy, smoky bites perfect for topping your favorite dishes.
By lining a baking sheet, preheating the oven, and allowing 20-35 minutes for baking, you can achieve crunchy, browned bacon ends bursting with flavor. Adjust cook times as needed based on thickness.
So next time you’re left with a package of bacon ends, have fun getting creative in how you bake and use them! They make the perfect crunchy, salty addition to so many meals and snacks.
What to do with Bacon Grease? Save it!
If you purchase organic bacon, as I do, definitely consider rendering and saving the bacon grease. Not only does bacon grease make braised meats and other dishes taste better, but it also has a high smoke point that makes it safer to cook with.
Benefits of Cooking Bacon in the Oven
- Well, first, you can cook for a lot of people, or just your family sometimes. This is very important for the holidays or when a lot of people come to your house. It’s also HUGE for keeping your cool when you have a lot of people in the kitchen at once.
- Second, it’s much cleaner to cook bacon in the oven than on the stove. I usually cook my bacon a little too hot, which is why I get splatters all over the stove. There are no splatters when you cook bacon in the oven, though. The bacon just sizzles until it’s done the way you like it.
- Finally, cooking bacon in the oven lets you do more than one thing at once in the kitchen. Because once you put that beautiful bacon sheet pan in the oven, you have about 15 minutes to make eggs, pancakes, or waffles.
