All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
When I was growing up, there was always a Folgers coffee can of bacon fat in the freezer because my family loved salty pork slabs so much. We were always looking for the best way to cook bacon. We tried the traditional cast-iron pan method (with and without a screen), the microwave for a short time, and the air fryer with a silly pig-shaped press for a long time. One appliance, though, has always given us perfectly crispy B’s for our BLTs: the oven.
There is no better way to cook bacon than in the oven on a cookie sheet. Forget about frying bacon in a pan. Bacon that is baked in the oven is always perfectly crispy and makes less of a mess.
I absolutely love oven baked bacon! It comes out evenly cooked and crispy all over without having to constantly watch and flip it like you do on the stovetop The oven does all the work for you
Plus, baking bacon keeps your stovetop free for cooking other things. No need to dedicate a burner to frying up bacon. Just pop it in the oven and go about your business.
Oven baked bacon is also cleaner and less messy than pan frying. The grease stays in the pan instead of splattering out everywhere And clean up is as easy as tossing away the foil
Make sure you always cook crispy, tasty bacon in the oven by following this easy step-by-step guide.
Benefits of Cooking Bacon in the Oven
Here are some of the biggest benefits of baking bacon in the oven instead of frying it in a skillet:
-
Perfectly crispy bacon – The oven heat crisps up the bacon evenly all over without having to flip and turn the slices. No more limp, undercooked pieces!
-
Less splatter – Containing the bacon on a sheet pan means less popping and splattering grease.
-
Fewer dishes – You don’t have to dirty up a skillet since all the cooking happens on a sheet pan.
-
Free up stovetop space – Let your oven multitask while you use your burners for other things.
-
More consistent results – The oven distributes heat more evenly, so each slice of bacon crisps up the same.
-
Easier cleanup – Tossing away the foil liner makes cleanup a breeze. No scrubbing grease out of a pan.
-
Hands-free cooking – Just put the bacon in the oven, set a timer, and go about your business until it’s ready.
-
Make large batches – It’s easy to cook a pound or more of bacon at once in the oven.
How to Choose the Right Cookie Sheet
To achieve perfectly crispy oven baked bacon, start with the right cookie sheet or baking pan. Here are the best options:
-
Rimmed sheet pan – The raised edges contain the rendered bacon fat and prevent splatter.
-
Nonstick surface – A nonstick coating ensures the bacon releases cleanly from the pan.
-
Heavy gauge aluminum or steel – Good conductive materials that heat evenly.
-
Large surface area – Make sure the pan is big enough to lay the bacon slices in a single layer without overlapping. Overcrowding will steam the bacon rather than crisping it.
-
Foil or parchment paper – Lining the pan makes cleanup quick and easy. The foil protects the pan surface from grease buildup.
The Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Commercial Baker’s Half Sheet is my top choice. It’s sturdy, heavy-duty aluminum that heats evenly and the large 18 x 13 inch size accommodates plenty of bacon.
Step-by-Step Guide to Cooking Bacon in the Oven
Follow these simple steps for perfectly cooked bacon every time you bake it in the oven.
1. Preheat Oven to 400oF
Preheating the oven is important so the bacon starts cooking immediately once it goes in the hot oven. This prevents that limp, undercooked effect you get when bacon is added to a cold oven.
Most recipes call for preheating the oven to 400oF which provides great heat for crisping up the bacon nicely.
2. Line Sheet Pan with Foil
Cover a large rimmed baking sheet completely in aluminum foil. The foil prevents the pan from getting gunked up with bacon grease and makes cleanup super easy.
You can also use parchment paper instead of foil, but foil is better at containing the grease.
3. Arrange Bacon on Pan
Lay the bacon slices in a single layer on the foil-lined pan. Make sure the slices aren’t overlapping. They should all lay flat with a little space between them.
Overcrowding the bacon will lead to steaming instead of crisping.
4. Cook for 15 Minutes
Put the pan of bacon in the preheated 400oF oven. Set a timer for 15 minutes.
This gives time for the bacon fat to start rendering out and the bacon to begin crisping up.
5. Check and Flip Bacon
After 15 minutes, open the oven and check the bacon. You’ll likely see pools of oil in the pan and the bacon slices will have started to curl and firm up.
Use tongs to carefully flip each slice over. Be careful when flipping the bacon because the rendered grease will be very hot!
Flipping halfway through ensures even cooking and crisping on both sides.
6. Cook 5 Minutes More
Return the pan to the oven for another 5 minutes. Now that the bacon is flipped, it will crisp up on the other side.
For thicker sliced bacon, you may need up to 10 minutes more after flipping. Thinner sliced bacon usually only needs about 5 more minutes.
7. Check Often Near the End
Keep a close eye on the bacon in the last few minutes. I recommend setting a timer and checking it every 2 minutes until it reaches your desired level of crispy.
The last few minutes of cooking go quickly. You don’t want to overdo it and end up with burnt bacon.
8. Transfer to Paper Towels
When the bacon reaches the perfect level of crispy and golden brown, immediately transfer it from the pan to a plate lined with paper towels.
The paper towels will soak up any excess grease and keep the bacon from getting soggy.
9. Pour Out Grease and Toss Foil
Carefully pour the hot bacon grease from the sheet pan into a heat proof container.
You can reserve the grease for cooking other foods like eggs, potatoes, or Brussels sprouts. Just strain out any food particles first.
Once the grease is poured off, toss the foil. There’s no need to wash the pan since the foil protected it.
10. Enjoy Your Perfect Crispy Bacon!
Your oven baked bacon is ready to enjoy! Use it to make epic BLTs, top baked potatoes, crumble on salads, or just eat it by the fistful. The possibilities are endless.
The great thing about baking a whole batch of bacon in the oven is you’ll have plenty ready to use all week long. Leftover bacon keeps well in the fridge for 5-7 days. Reheat slices in the microwave or oven as needed.
Oven Baked Bacon Tips
Here are some additional tips to ensure your oven baked bacon turns out perfect every time:
-
Use thick cut bacon for the best results. It holds up better to oven cooking than thin sliced bacon which tends to overcook quickly.
-
Layer paper towels under the foil to help absorb extra grease.
-
For less splatter, add a inch of water to the sheet pan before adding the bacon.
-
Cook different flavors of bacon separately. The smokier flavors can overpower more delicate applewood or maple bacon.
-
Add a splash of bourbon, maple syrup, brown sugar or spices to the pan for flavored bacon.
-
Cook bacon at 350°F for crispy bacon with less curling. Higher heat causes more curling.
-
Use metal tongs for turning. Plastic can melt from the hot grease.
-
Let baked bacon cool slightly before eating to avoid burning your mouth!
-
Cook more bacon than you need and freeze the extras in portions to reheat later.
Common Oven Baked Bacon Questions
Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about cooking bacon in the oven:
How long does it take to cook bacon in the oven?
Most bacon takes right around 20 minutes total time in a 400°F oven. Cook for 15 minutes, flip, then continue cooking for another 5 minutes or so until fully crisped. Check often near the end.
What temperature is best for baking bacon in the oven?
400°F is the ideal oven temperature for achieving crispy, evenly cooked bacon without overcooking. Some recipes call for up to 425°F, but watch closely as higher heat increases curling.
Should bacon be flipped when cooking in the oven?
Yes, flipping the bacon midway through ensures even cooking on both sides. Use tongs to carefully flip each slice after about 15 minutes in the oven.
Does baking bacon in the oven make the house smell?
Yes it will make your house smell like bacon while it’s cooking. But unlike frying in a skillet, the aroma isn’t as strong or lingering. If you turn on your oven vent that helps reduce the smell.
Why does oven baked bacon curl?
The hot oven air circulating around the bacon causes it to shrink and tighten, resulting in that signature curly shape. Higher heat causes more curling. Cook at a lower temp for flatter bacon.
Is oven baked bacon healthier than pan fried?
It can be! Baking bacon in the oven uses less added fat or oil than frying in a skillet. Bake bacon on a rack to allow fat to drip off for healthier results.
The Takeaway
Cooking bacon in the oven is hands down the easiest, least messy way to cook up perfect crispy bacon every time.
Simply line a sheet pan with foil, lay the bacon flat in a single layer, bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes flipping halfway through, and enjoy the tasty results!
Oven bacon is a total game changer. Never bother with stovetop frying again. The oven baking method results in bacon that’s cooked evenly all over without constant monitoring and splatter to deal with.
For best results, opt for thick cut bacon, use a rimmed nonstick sheet pan, cook at 400°F, and flip the slices midway through baking.
Crisp up a big batch of oven bacon to have on hand for easy meals all week. Add to sandwiches, salads, breakfast dishes, potatoes, pasta…the possibilities are endless!
What equipment do you need to make bacon in the oven?
You must have a rimmed sheet pan and paper towels to soak up the extra grease from the cooked bacon in order to make perfect bacon in the oven. If your pan is too shallow, the grease won’t be able to catch. So make sure you use a sheet pan with a lip around the edges.
From there, you have options. You can cook bacon in the oven on a sheet pan that isn’t lined with foil, on a sheet pan that is lined with foil, or on a metal cooling rack that is placed on top of a sheet pan. Each method has its own pros and cons, and the best one for you will depend on your own personal taste. I tested all three, so you can find the one that works best for your needs.
Nordic Ware Aluminum Commercial Baker’s Quarter Sheet Pans, 2-Pack
Sheet pan + aluminum foil
Putting bacon on a sheet pan lined with aluminum foil is my favorite way to cook it in the oven because it cooks evenly and gets crispy on both sides. Putting aluminum foil around the edges of your pan will help keep grease out. All it will need is a quick rinse or a trip through the dishwasher. That’s right, you should save your bacon fat. It’s easy to lift the foil, make a small chute, and pour that liquid gold straight into another container.
You can cook your bacon right on a metal sheet tray if you’d rather not use single-use items in the kitchen. The bacon will still crisp up nicely, but I found that it doesn’t cook as evenly without the foil. The edges are more likely to get charred while the middles aren’t quite done. You’ll also have to deal with a greasy pan, which might or might not be a turned-off for you.
HOW TO COOK BACON IN THE OVEN | easy, crispy and no mess!
FAQ
Can you put bacon directly on a baking sheet?
Is it better to bake bacon at 350 or 400?
Can I cook bacon on a baking sheet without parchment paper?
How do you keep bacon from sticking to cookie sheets?
How do you cook bacon on a baking sheet?
Arrange the bacon on the baking sheet. Arrange 12 ounces bacon on the baking sheet in a single layer. The slices can be close together or touching, but don’t let them overlap or they’ll stick together during cooking. Bake the bacon.
How long does it take to cook bacon in the oven?
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place bacon slices, one next to the other, on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the oven to flip bacon slices with kitchen tongs and then return to the oven. Bake until crispy, 15 to 20 minutes more.
Should you bake Bacon in the oven?
In addition to the most obvious end (gobbling the slices directly from the plate), baking bacon in the oven is an ideal method any time you have a recipe that calls for adding cooked, crumbled bacon, or if you want to make a standard recipe a little more decadent.
How many slices of bacon can you cook on a baking sheet?
Clean-up is a breeze. With this method, you can cook about 12 slices of bacon on a single baking sheet. To make more than that, just use two baking sheets and increase the cooking time by a few minutes. Most supermarkets carry regular and thick-cut bacon.