How to Bake Crispy Bacon in the Oven Without Parchment Paper

Baking bacon in the oven is one of the easiest ways to cook up a tasty batch of crispy bacon slices. While many recipes call for lining the baking sheet with parchment paper first it’s completely possible to bake bacon without it.

Parchment paper can help reduce cleanup and prevent sticking, but it’s not strictly necessary With the right techniques, you can achieve perfectly crispy oven-baked bacon using just a rimmed baking sheet.

In this step-by-step guide I’ll walk you through exactly how to bake bacon in the oven without any parchment paper and still get ideal results. I’ll also cover some extra oven bacon cooking tips and frequently asked questions. So read on to become a pro at baking crispy, delicious bacon without the hassle of parchment paper!

Why Bake Bacon in the Oven?

Before jumping into the how-to, let’s first go over why you should bake bacon in the oven in the first place:

• It’s hands-off – Just pop it in the oven, set a timer, and go about your business until it’s ready. No need to constantly watch and flip it in a skillet.

• You can make large batches – Baking allows you to cook a lot more bacon at once compared to stovetop methods.

• It gets crispy – The hot air circulating in the oven dries out the bacon so it gets nice and crisp.

• Less messy – Baking contains the grease on a lined pan rather than splattering it on your stovetop.

• Easy cleanup – Especially if you line the pan, cleanup involves just tossing away the foil or parchment paper after.

So if you’re looking to make bacon for a crowd or just want crispy bacon without the splatter and hassle, baking it in the oven is the way to go. Now let’s get into how to do it without parchment paper.

How to Bake Bacon in the Oven Without Parchment Paper

Baking crispy bacon in the oven without parchment paper only requires a few simple steps:

1. Preheat the Oven

• Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This high heat will help the bacon cook up nice and crispy.

2. Arrange Bacon on a Rimmed Baking Sheet

• Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil or simply use the bare pan. The raised edges will prevent grease from dripping.

3. Space Out the Bacon Slices

• Lay the bacon slices in a single layer on the baking sheet without overlapping. This allows air circulation for even cooking.

4. Bake for 15-20 Minutes

• Pop the bacon in the preheated 400°F oven and bake for 15-20 minutes. I recommend checking on it and flipping the bacon halfway through.

5. Blot Excess Grease

• Once baked to your desired level of crispness, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to blot excess grease.

And that’s really all there is to it! The high oven heat does the work of crisping up the bacon for you. Just keep reading for some extra tips and commonly asked questions.

Oven Bacon Baking Tips

Follow these tips to ensure your bacon turns out perfectly crispy when baking without parchment paper:

• Use thick-cut bacon – Thinner slices tend to burn more easily. Opt for thick-cut for best oven results.

• Rotate baking sheets – If cooking multiple trays, rotate them halfway through for even cooking.

• Watch closely – Set a timer and keep an eye on doneness to avoid burning.

• Cook less for chewier bacon – For less crispy bacon, shave 2-3 minutes off the cooking time.

• Use a bacon press – Weighting down bacon can help it cook flatter and more evenly.

• Make baked bacon bits – Leftover bits can be sprinkled as crunchy topping on salads, baked potatoes, etc.

Common Oven Bacon Baking Questions

Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about baking bacon without parchment paper:

How long does it take to bake bacon in the oven?

• At 400°F, bacon takes 15-20 minutes in the oven depending on thickness. Check for doneness halfway through.

Should you flip the bacon while baking?

• Yes, flipping halfway through prevents uneven cooking and crisps up both sides.

Does baking bacon make it healthier?

• It can! Some fat drips off during baking. Baking it on a rack makes it even lower calorie.

Should you bake bacon from raw or precooked?

• Raw bacon right out of the pack is best. Precooked bacon can dry out and overcrisp.

What’s the best way to clean a bacon grease baking sheet?

• While still warm, use paper towels to wipe away excess grease. Then wash with hot soapy water.

Can you bake bacon from frozen?

• It’s best to thaw frozen bacon in the fridge overnight before baking to prevent burning.

The Benefits of Baking Bacon Without Parchment Paper

Now that you know how to bake crispy bacon without parchment paper, let’s recap the benefits:

• Fewer dishes – No need to dirty and later clean parchment paper sheets.

• Better crispness – The bacon fat can drip directly onto the baking sheet instead of being soaked up by parchment.

• Easier prep – It’s one less step of lining the pan with paper before cooking.

• More economical – You don’t have to pay extra for parchment paper.

So if you’re out of parchment paper or just want to skip a step, rest assured you can make perfectly crispy oven-baked bacon directly on a foil-lined or bare baking sheet!

While the parchment does have some advantages for easy cleanup, it’s by no means required to achieve delicious bacon.

More Tips for Oven Bacon Perfection

Looking to up your bacon game even further? Here are a few extra oven-baked bacon tips:

• For special occasions, sprinkle brown sugar, maple syrup, or black pepper on the bacon before baking.

• Lay bacon strips perpendicular rather than parallel for flatter results.

• For bacon bits, chop up baked strips. Add to salads, baked potatoes, mac and cheese, etc.

• Save leftover bacon grease to cook eggs in or use for seasoning. Refrigerate it in an airtight container.

• Make BLTs with your fresh oven-baked bacon. Nothing’s better!

• Fry or bake runny eggs in a bacon grease-coated pan for extra flavor.

I hope these tips help you achieve bakery-quality bacon right from your own oven! Baking really is one of the best and easiest ways to cook up large batches.