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.
Cooking bacon can be a messy process on the stovetop with all the splattering grease. The convection oven offers a great alternative way to cook bacon evenly and make cleanup much easier. With a few tips, you’ll be able to make perfect crispy bacon easily in your convection oven every time.
I’ve tried all the different methods over the years to cook bacon – skillet, microwave, and even deep frying. While they all produced edible bacon, they all had their drawbacks. Frying splattered grease on my stovetop and me. The microwave never crisped up the bacon enough for my taste. Deep frying was just too much work for everyday breakfast bacon.
Then I discovered using the convection oven It solves all the issues and makes cooking bacon about as easy as it can get, Here’s how to cook bacon to crispy perfection in your convection oven
Benefits of Cooking Bacon in the Convection Oven
There are several advantages to baking bacon in the oven instead of frying in a skillet:
- No splattering grease – contain it in the pan instead all over your stovetop
- Less checking – Set it and forget it instead of constantly watching and flipping
- Fast cooking – The convection fan circulates air for quick, even cooking
- Crispy texture – Baking gives bacon a flatter, crispier texture
- Easy cleanup – Just discard the foil instead of scrubbing a greasy pan
Once you try oven-baked bacon. you’ll never want to fry it in a skillet again!
Oven Bacon Cooking Tips
Follow these tips to ensure you bake crispy, delicious bacon every time in the convection oven:
- Use a rimmed baking sheet for easy containment of grease.
- Line pan with foil for quick cleanup – discard after cooking.
- Preheat oven to 400°F for optimal crisping.
- Arrange bacon slices in a single layer without overlapping.
- Bake for 16-20 minutes until desired crispness is reached.
- Transfer cooked bacon to paper towels to drain excess grease.
The oven provides gentle, even heat that crisps up the bacon beautifully without the need for flipping Just pop it in the oven and 20 minutes later you’ll have a perfect batch of crispy bacon ready for breakfast
Convection Oven vs Standard Oven
While you can certainly cook bacon in a standard oven, the convection oven does offer some advantages:
- Faster cooking – The fan circulates air for quick, even cooking.
- Better crisping – The bacon comes out shatteringly crispy from edge to edge.
- More consistent – No need to rotate pans for even cooking.
The fan allows for more controlled air circulation so the bacon crisps up better than in a standard oven. If you don’t have a convection setting, just follow the same tips but extend cooking time by a few minutes. Check frequently until bacon reaches desired crispness.
Choosing the Right Pan
Having the proper pan is key to baking crispy bacon:
- Rimmed baking sheets – Contain grease and allow air circulation
- Stainless steel – Gets hot quickly and evenly for crisping
- Foil-lined – For easy cleanup, discard foil after cooking
Avoid using anything with raised ridges like cooling racks as they can leave grill marks on the bacon. The flat surface of a baking sheet crisps up the bacon best.
How to Bake Bacon Step-By-Step
Follow these simple steps for perfect bacon every time:
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Line rimmed baking sheet with foil.
- Arrange bacon slices in single layer on sheet.
- Bake for 16-20 minutes, until crispy.
- Transfer bacon to paper towels to drain.
It really is that easy! The oven does all the work crisping up the bacon evenly.
Cooking Time
Cooking time can vary a bit based on your oven and thickness of the bacon:
- Thin sliced = 16-18 minutes
- Medium sliced = 18-20 minutes
- Thick sliced = 20-22 minutes
I recommend checking a few minutes early until you learn the timing in your oven. Cook until it’s as crispy as you like it.
What About Turkey Bacon?
While you can certainly cook turkey bacon in the oven, there are a few differences:
- Cook at 375°F to prevent over-browning.
- Line pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Cook 10-14 minutes for thin slices.
- Watch closely since it cooks quicker than pork bacon.
The lower fat content means turkey bacon needs more care not to burn or stick. But with a lower temperature and parchment paper, it bakes up just as nice.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Bacon stays fresh in the fridge for up to a week when stored properly:
- Allow bacon to cool completely after cooking.
- Place in sealed container or bag.
- Refrigerate for up to 5 days.
To reheat, wrap chilled bacon slices in paper towels and microwave in 10 second bursts until hot and sizzling. This keeps it from getting soggy.
You can also freeze cooked bacon for longer storage:
- Allow to cool completely first.
- Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or bags.
- Freeze for up to 1 month.
- Thaw in fridge before reheating.
With proper storage, you can enjoy oven-baked bacon all week long!
More Easy Bacon Recipes
Once you’ve mastered baking crispy bacon in the oven, try it out in these tasty recipes:
- BLT sandwiches
- Bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers
- Bacon and cheese stuffed mushrooms
- Spinach salad with bacon vinaigrette
- Bacon and egg breakfast tacos
- Bacon avocado grilled cheese
The possibilities are endless when you have perfectly cooked bacon ready to go. It’s the ideal topping for burgers, salads, pasta, sandwiches, appetizers, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I preheat the oven?
Preheating is recommended so the bacon starts cooking right away. But if you forget, you can put the bacon in a cold oven and just add a few extra minutes to the cook time.
Does the bacon need to be turned?
No, oven baking cooks the bacon evenly without flipping needed. The gentle heat crisps it up nicely on both sides.
Can I use turkey bacon?
Yes, turkey bacon bakes up just as nicely. Just use parchment paper to prevent sticking and cook at a lower 375°F to prevent burning.
What’s the best way to store leftover bacon?
Allow to cool completely, then refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 1 week. For longer storage, wrap tightly and freeze for up to 1 month.
How do I reheat leftover bacon?
Wrap chilled bacon slices in paper towels and microwave in 10 second bursts until sizzling hot. This prevents sogginess.
The Takeaway
Baking crispy bacon in the convection oven is hands-down the easiest, least messy method I’ve found. The gentle heat evenly crisps up the bacon without the need for flipping.
Lining the pan with foil also makes cleanup a breeze – just toss it in the trash when done. No more scrubbing a greasy skillet!
While you can use a standard oven, the convection setting circulates air for fast, even cooking. Give this simple method a try for shatteringly crisp bacon every time. Once you discover how easy it is, you’ll never want to fry bacon on the stovetop again!
So next time you’re cooking up a big weekend breakfast, let your oven work its magic. Just pop in a sheet pan of bacon, and 20 minutes later you’ll have the perfect crispy bacon ready for all your recipes.
How to Cook Bacon in a Convection Oven
- ▢ 8-10 slices bacon – thick sliced preferred
- ▢ aluminum foil – to cover tray
- ▢ parchment paper – if needed
- Preheat the oven to 400° convection bake or 425° conventional. Make a sheet pan that is 18 inches by 13 inches and has a rim around the edge.
- Place bacon close together but not touching. 8-10 pieces, about ½ pound, will usually fit.
- Bake to a crispy brown—about 20 minutes. How long it takes will depend on how thick the bacon is and how you like it. It may take a few minutes longer for thick-cut bacon to cook, so check it a few times before the end.
- Drain on paper towels and pat off any fat.
How to Oven Bake Bacon in a Convection (or regular) Oven
Preheat the oven to 400° convection bake or 425° conventional. Line an 18-inch × 13-inch rimmed sheet pan with aluminum foil.
Place bacon close together but not touching. 8-10 pieces, about ½ pound, will usually fit.
Bake to a crispy brown—about 20 minutes. Time will vary with the thickness of the bacon and your taste.
Drain on paper towels and pat off any fat.