Crispy Oven Bacon
Oven-baked bacon cooks up evenly crisp with minimal mess. A gradual heat-up helps the fat render evenly so the slices stay straighter. In about 16 minutes, you’ll have perfectly browned bacon. No splatter, no flipping, and easy cleanup.
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound thick-cut bacon
Instructions
- Adjust the oven rack to the middle position. Line a rimmed half sheet pan with foil. If you have a wire rack, set it on the pan and lightly coat it with nonstick spray; if not, lay the bacon directly on the foil.
- Lay the bacon strips in a single layer on the rack or directly on the foil. Place the pan in a cold oven, then set the temperature to 425°F.
- Bake for 8 minutes, then rotate the pan and continue baking until the bacon is browned and crisp, about 8 more minutes, depending on thickness.It’s done when the fat looks deep golden and the bacon looks a shade darker than you want, it crisps as it cools.
- Use tongs to transfer the bacon to a paper towel–lined plate to drain.
Notes
Use a wire rack: Elevating the bacon keeps it out of the rendered fat, which means crisper texture. It also allows hot air to circulate underneath, so both sides cook evenly.
Start in a cold oven: This gives the bacon time to warm up gradually, so the fat renders slowly. That prevents shrinkage and keeps the strips flat instead of curling or buckling as they cook.
Watch your oven's hot spots: Most ovens heat unevenly, so rotating the pan halfway through ensures even browning from front to back.
Store in the fridge: Let the bacon cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container or wrap tightly in foil. It’ll keep for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. Reheat in a skillet or low oven to bring back the crisp.
Freeze for later: For longer storage, freeze cooked bacon between layers of parchment in a freezer-safe bag. Reheat straight from frozen.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 473kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 45g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 20g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 75mg | Sodium: 751mg | Potassium: 225mg | Vitamin A: 42IU | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 0.5mg
