Forget the stovetop mess; we’re talking oven-baked bacon that’s crispy, delicious, and hassle-free. This is the best bacon hack you didn’t know you needed. It’s great for breakfast or making your BLT more delicious.
I have been using this recipe for years. There were a lot of changes, but I think I’ve found the best way to bake bacon now. Why would you want to make bacon in the oven? Oh, so many reasons. But my favorite reason is that it gives me time to work on other things, like eggs or toast.
Like I mentioned above, I have been working on this method for cooking bacon for years. Here are the steps I take to make sure my bacon is always perfect, and you can do the same!
Cooking bacon in the oven at 450°F is one of the best ways to achieve perfectly crisped, evenly cooked bacon every time. Baking at a high temp avoids the splattering mess of stovetop frying and allows the bacon to get crispy without the need for constant monitoring and flipping. But how long should you bake bacon at 450°F to get ideal texture and taste?
The baking time can vary depending on a few factors
Bacon Thickness
Thinner sliced bacon will generally cook faster than thick cut bacon at 450°F. Thin slices may only need 10-15 minutes while thick cut could need 15-20 minutes.
Elevated vs. Direct Contact
Placing bacon directly on the baking sheet will cause it to cook faster than elevating on a rack, which allows air circulation.
Desired Texture
For chewy bacon, bake at 450°F for less time. For super crispy bacon, bake a little longer. Know your texture preference.
Oven Differences
All ovens heat slightly differently, so get to know where the hot and cool spots are in your oven for the best results
Amount of Bacon
Cooking a large batch of bacon will require more time than a smaller amount to crisp up.
Taking all of these factors into account, here are some general guidelines for how long to cook bacon at 450°F:
- Thin sliced bacon on a sheet pan – 10-12 minutes
- Thick sliced bacon on a sheet pan – 15-18 minutes
- Thin sliced bacon on a rack – 12-15 minutes
- Thick sliced bacon on a rack – 18-20 minutes
No matter what type of bacon you are cooking, keep a very close eye on it as it bakes and frequently check for doneness based on your taste preferences. Bacon can go from perfect to burnt very quickly under high heat.
Here are some tips for baking crispy bacon in the oven at 450°F:
Step 1: Prep the Baking Sheet
Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil or parchment paper. Place a cooling rack on top if desired. Lightly coat the rack with nonstick spray.
Step 2: Arrange the Bacon
Lay bacon strips in a single layer on the prepared pan or rack. Make sure not to overcrowd.
Step 3: Season (Optional)
Brush lightly with maple syrup or sprinkle on brown sugar, pepper, herbs for flavor.
Step 4: Bake at 450°F
Place pan in oven and bake for estimated time based on thickness. Check often.
Step 5: Flip Occasionally
Flip bacon over halfway through for even browning especially if cooking directly on sheet.
Step 6: Drain and Serve
Remove from oven and transfer bacon to paper towels to drain. Be careful of hot grease!
Get to know exactly how long your bacon takes by checking it frequently and adjusting cook time as needed. Perfectly crisped bacon is just minutes away!
Here are some delicious ways to enjoy your oven-baked bacon:
- Breakfast sandwiches
- BLTs
- Salads with crumbled bacon
- Mac and cheese with bacon
- Brussels sprouts and bacon
- Baked potatoes with bacon bits
- Carbonara
- Clam chowder
- Chili
- Burgers and cheeseburgers
- Wrapped shrimp or jalapeños
- Candied bacon
- Bacon jam on biscuits
- Bacon onion rings
Thick Bacon vs Thin Sliced
For this tutorial I am using thin bacon. Not extra thin. Just the basic bacon you find at most grocery stores. This takes approximately 16 to 20 minutes to bake and does not require flipping.
It will take an extra 5 to 10 minutes to cook if you use thick-cut bacon. You will need to flip them over halfway through. I suggest checking around 13 minutes, flipping, and continuing to cook to your desired crispness.
Tips for this recipe:
- Use foil or parchment paper to line your baking tray. The foil catches the grease. Let it cool down so the grease hardens, then wrap it up and throw it away. This helps cut down on clean up.
- You can flip the bacon over halfway through if you want to, or you can put an oven-safe rack in the tray.
- When you’re done cooking the bacon, put it on a paper towel to soak up some of the grease.
- This bacon is good for soooo many different things. One of our faves? Burgers.
The sweet spot for oven-baking bacon is usually around 400°F (200°C). This temperature ensures your bacon gets crispy without burning, and it cooks relatively quickly—usually in about 15-20 minutes. Want your bacon to be crispy quickly? Raise the heat to 450 degrees, and it will be done in about 10 minutes.
Nah, starting with a cold oven is more of a myth than a must-do. For bacon that is crispy and cooked all the way through, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). A cold oven might result in unevenly cooked bacon, and let’s be real, nobody’s got time for that.
Foil: Great for crispy bacon and easier clean-up. Just be careful; it can stick if you don’t use a non-stick spray. Parchment Paper: Less stick, but might not give you that ultra-crispy texture. So, if you’re Team Crispy, foil might be your MVP. But if you’re all about that easy-peasy clean-up and avoiding stickage, parchment paper is your go-to.
Oh, you betcha! Freezing bacon is like a life hack for your breakfast game. Just wrap individual portions in plastic wrap, toss ’em in a zip-top bag, and freeze. When the bacon craving strikes—and let’s be real, it always does—just thaw what you need. It’s good for up to 6 months in the freezer.
Absolutely, you can freeze thick-sliced bacon just like its thinner counterpart. The only catch? Thicker slices might take a tad longer to thaw and cook. But hey, good things come to those who wait, right?.
