There’s nothing quite like the savory aroma of sizzling bacon and sausage cooking up for breakfast. But dealing with the splattering grease on the stovetop can be a hassle. Luckily, the oven provides an easy solution for cooking up batches of perfectly crispy bacon and sausages with less mess and fuss.
Baking these breakfast meats in the oven distributes heat all around for even cooking. The high dry heat helps render fat and achieve a nice crisp texture too. And containing it on baking sheets avoids grease popping all over your counters.
In this guide, I’ll explain step-by-step how to bake bacon and sausages in the oven. With a few simple tips, you’ll get crispy, delicious results every time. So say goodbye to scrubbing greasy pans and enjoy convenient oven-baked meats!
Benefits of Cooking Bacon and Sausage in the Oven
Here are some of the top advantages of using the oven instead of the stovetop
-
Cooks food evenly – The enclosed heat surrounds food from all sides.
-
Avoids grease splatters – Contained on a baking sheet instead of an open pan,
-
Easy cleanup – Just discard foil or parchment paper after,
-
Multitask – Freed up stovetop lets you make eggs, pancakes, etc.
-
Cooks large batches – Make enough for a crowd all at once.
For crispy meats with less mess, the oven can’t be beat!
How to Bake Bacon in the Oven
Follow these simple steps for perfect oven-baked bacon every time:
1. Preheat Oven to 400°F
This high temp helps crisp the bacon. For food safety, preheat before putting any uncooked meat inside.
2. Line Baking Sheet with Foil or Parchment
Covering the pan makes cleanup a breeze. The edges catch drippings too.
3. Arrange Bacon Slices in Single Layer
Lay strips out so they don’t overlap. Even air flow is key. Leave a little space between.
4. Bake 10-15 Minutes
Cooking time depends on thickness. Check at 10 minutes and watch closely to avoid burning.
5. Flip Bacon and Cook 5-10 More Minutes
For even crisping, flip halfway through. Cook until desired crispness is reached.
6. Transfer to Paper Towels
Drain on paper towels to soak up excess grease for crispiest bacon.
That’s all it takes for less messy, hassle-free oven-baked bacon!
How to Bake Sausage in the Oven
Sausages also come out perfectly cooked when baked in the dry, enveloping heat of the oven. Here’s how:
1. Preheat Oven to 400°F
Use the same temp as for bacon to achieve crispy sausage.
2. Line Baking Sheet
Cover with parchment paper or foil to catch drips for easy cleanup.
3. Arrange Sausages Without Overcrowding
Lay links or patties out in a single layer with a little space around each.
4. Bake 15 Minutes
Cook for 15 minutes on one side. For larger sausages, extend time to 20 minutes.
5. Flip and Bake 10 More Minutes
Flip sausages and cook 10 minutes more to brown both sides evenly.
6. Check Internal Temperature
Test center with a meat thermometer to ensure they reach 160°F.
7. Let Rest 5 Minutes
This helps lock in juices before serving up your oven-baked sausages.
Tips for Crispy Bacon and Sausage
Follow these tips for the best oven-baked results:
-
Choose thicker cut bacon for baking. Thin slices overcook.
-
Space out strips and sausages to allow airflow.
-
Use 400°F for crispy meats. Adjust if your oven runs hot/cool.
-
Check often and remove immediately once desired crispness is reached.
-
Let bacon strips and sausages rest after baking to firm up before serving.
-
Add flavors like brown sugar, herbs, spices, or glazes before baking.
-
Cook bacon on a wire rack placed inside the baking sheet for extra crispness.
With a few basic guidelines, you’ll get perfectly cooked bacon and sausages from your oven.
Answers to Common Baking Questions
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
Should you flip bacon and sausages when baking?
Yes, flipping halfway through helps them cook evenly and achieve crispy texture on both sides.
How long does it take to bake bacon at 400°F?
Cook for 10-15 minutes total, flipping halfway. Time varies based on thickness. Watch closely.
How long to bake sausages at 400°F?
Cook 15 minutes per side, 20 minutes total for larger sausages. Use a meat thermometer to check doneness.
What temperature kills bacteria in sausages?
Cook sausages to 160°F internal temperature to eliminate bacteria and ensure food safety.
Is baking or frying sausage healthier?
Baking uses less added fat, but sausages are still high in fat either way. Grilling is the healthier cooking method.
Enjoy the Convenience of Oven-Baked Meats
Cooking bacon and sausages in the oven makes breakfast prep so much easier. With less splattering mess to clean up afterwards, you can actually relax and enjoy your meal!
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure a crispy and evenly cooked result.
Step 3: Lay out the Bacon and Sausage
Arrange the bacon slices or sausage links/patties in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Leave a little space between each piece to allow for proper air circulation.
How to Cook Sausage in the Oven
How long do you cook sausage & bacon in the oven?
bacon, sausage, or both! Preheat oven to 400°. Place bacon slices and/or sausage patties on a baking sheet, spaced a few inches apart. Place the baking sheet on a middle rack in the oven and bake for 7-10 minutes, then flip sausage and bacon over and bake for 5-7 more minutes.
How to cook bacon & sausage?
Armed with a few simple tips, you can have expertly cooked bacon and sausage in your home kitchen any day of the week. Let’s do this. Hands down the best way to cook bacon is in the oven; this method yields the most dependable results.
How do you cook bacon in the oven?
Let’s start with how to make bacon in the oven. The oven-cooking method allows you to cook most or all of a package of bacon at once and is the best method for large quantities. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil. Spread the bacon out in a single layer on the baking sheet so that the strips are barely touching.
How long do you cook bacon in a sheet pan?
Place the sheet pan in a cold oven, and turn the oven on to 400 degrees . Bake on the first side for about 20 minutes, then carefully flip the bacon over using tongs, and rotate the sheet pan. Cook for another 5 to 10 minutes, or until the bacon has reached the desired crispness.
How long do you cook bacon burgers in the oven?
Lay your bacon strips or sausage patties out in a single layer, leaving just a little bit of space between each. Place the baking sheet on a middle rack in the oven and bake for 7-10 minutes, then flip over and bake for 5-7 more minutes.
How do you cook bacon on a rimmed baking sheet?
For easy clean-up, line a 13 x 18-inch rimmed baking sheet with heavy-duty wide aluminum foil and so that there is some overhang on all sides (this prevents the grease from leaking onto the baking sheet), then cover with a sheet of parchment paper. Lay as many slices of bacon as you’d like to cook in a single layer on the baking sheet.