How to Cook Pre-Cooked Bacon in the Oven

Pre-cooked bacon can be a handy ingredient to have on hand in your kitchen It adds great flavor to many dishes while saving you time and avoiding the mess of frying raw bacon, But what’s the best way to cook pre-cooked bacon so it comes out tasting delicious? Here’s a step-by-step guide to heating up pre-cooked bacon in the oven,

Benefits of Cooking Pre-Cooked Bacon in the Oven

There are a few reasons why using your oven is the preferred method for cooking pre-cooked bacon:

• Even heating: The oven surrounds the bacon from all sides and heats it evenly, preventing hot and cold spots. This results in bacon that is uniformly crispy.

• Less mess: Frying bacon on the stovetop inevitably causes greasy splatters. The contained environment of the oven keeps splatters to a minimum.

• Hands-off: Once you slide the baking sheet into the oven, there’s no need to constantly flip and supervise like when cooking on the stovetop. Just set a timer and go do other tasks until the bacon is ready.

• Large batches The oven has enough space to cook a lot of bacon at once perfect when cooking for a crowd.

How to Cook Pre-Cooked Bacon in the Oven

Follow these simple steps for crispy, evenly cooked bacon every time:

1. Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 400°F. This high temperature will help the bacon recrisp quickly.

2. Line a Baking Sheet

Place a sheet of aluminum foil or parchment paper on a rimmed baking sheet. The lining prevents the bacon from sticking.

3. Arrange the Bacon

Lay the strips of pre-cooked bacon flat on the lined baking sheet without overlapping. Evenly spacing them out allows the bacon to heat through.

4. Cook the Bacon

Bake for 10-15 minutes, until the bacon reaches your desired level of crispiness. Thicker-cut bacon may take a little longer.

5. Drain and Crisp

Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Use tongs to transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess grease.

Alternatively, you can place the bacon directly on the paper towels and blot gently. The paper towels will soak up grease for crisper bacon.

And that’s it! With these simple steps, you can quickly reheat pre-cooked bacon in the oven. It will come out hot, crisp, and flavorful – perfect for any dish.

Tips for the Best Oven-Cooked Pre-Cooked Bacon

• Use raw bacon that is fully cooked, not “ready to eat” bacon which is already crispy. Raw pre-cooked bacon will recrisp better in the oven.

• Make sure the baking sheet is rimmed to catch any drippings. The bacon may release additional grease when heated.

• Rotate the baking sheet halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.

• Watch carefully near the end and remove the bacon before it burns. Pre-cooked bacon can go from done to burnt quickly.

• Let the bacon cool slightly before eating for maximum crispy texture.

• Crumble or chop the bacon right after cooking when it is still warm. It will break apart more easily.

Different Methods for Reheating Pre-Cooked Bacon

While the oven is the best way to recook large batches of pre-cooked bacon, you have options when cooking smaller amounts.

• Skillet: Cook pre-cooked bacon strips or pieces in a skillet over medium heat. Fry for 2-3 minutes per side until heated through and starting to crisp.

• Microwave: Place bacon on a microwave-safe plate and cover with a paper towel. Microwave in 30 second increments, checking frequently, until hot and sizzling.

• Toaster oven: Lay bacon strips in a single layer on the toaster oven rack. Toast at 400°F for 4-5 minutes, flipping midway, until crispy.

• Air fryer: Arrange bacon pieces in the air fryer basket. Cook at 400°F for 4-6 minutes, shaking occasionally, until crispy.

Tasty Ways to Use Leftover Pre-Cooked Bacon

The beauty of having pre-cooked bacon on hand is that it can instantly elevate so many dishes. Here are just a few ideas:

• Crumble on top of salads, baked potatoes, or soups for a smoky, salty flavor boost.

• Chop and add to scrambled eggs, omelets, egg bakes, or quiche for a hearty breakfast.

• Toss crumbled bacon into pancake or waffle batter before cooking.

• Include in pasta carbonara, mac and cheese, or potato salad for a savory crunch.

• Make BLTs, club sandwiches, burgers, or wraps extra delicious with some pre-cooked bacon.

• Wrap bacon around chicken breasts, meatloaf, scallops, shrimp, or other proteins before cooking.

• Mix into cookie dough, muffin batter, or sprinkle over cupcakes for a sweet and salty twist.

With so many possibilities, it’s easy to use up leftover oven-cooked pre-cooked bacon. Just get creative!

Storing and Freezing Pre-Cooked Bacon

One of the conveniences of pre-cooked bacon is its long shelf life. Here are some storage tips:

• Store sealed packages of unopened raw pre-cooked bacon in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks.

• Leftover cooked pre-cooked bacon keeps in an airtight container in the fridge for 5-7 days.

• For longer storage, freeze pre-cooked bacon for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before using.

• Portion pre-cooked bacon into recipe-ready amounts before freezing for easy grab-and-go additions to meals.

With the proper storage methods, you can keep a stash of pre-cooked bacon on hand whenever that craving for its smoky, salty flavor strikes!

So next time you need to quickly cook up some bacon, skip the mess and reach for the pre-cooked pack. In just minutes, your oven will transform those refrigerated strips into hot and crispy bacon ready to enjoy!