Learn how to cook bacon in the oven for perfectly crispy bacon. Baked bacon is so easy since there’s no need to flip it and you don’t need a wire rack. Using a baking sheet allows you to make a big batch for a crowd and it’s hands-free so you can work on the rest of your breakfast menu while the bacon sizzles in the oven.
Bacon makes everything better from Cobb Salad to Omelettes and Burgers. If you are a bacon lover this Oven-baked bacon recipe is a must-try and it’s perfect for regular or thick-sliced bacon.
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Why you’ll love Baked Bacon
Bacon is at the top of our family’s favorite foods list and half of the bacon is eaten before it ever gets to the table with all the ‘sampling’ going on. This is my favorite method for cooking bacon and here’s why:
- Stays flat – unlike stovetop methods, the bacon will stay relatively flat without curling in the oven.
- Clean – you won’t mess up your stove with oil splatter and if you cut your parchment paper to size, you probably can just toss your parchment paper and don’t have to wash your baking sheet either.
- Convenient -You don’t need to flip or babysit the bacon so you are free to multi-task
- Big Batch – perfect for cooking bacon for a crowd
Baked Bacon Video
Watch Natasha bake bacon in the oven and stay tuned till the end to see how you can use those pan drippings. You will be surprised at how easy this is. Now go forth and bake some bacon.
How to buy the best bacon
There are so many options and types of bacon, it can be overwhelming, but you can pick better quality bacon. Here’s what to look for:
- Ingredients – bacon should have a simple list of ingredients.
- Center-cut – has 25-30% less fat at the ends
- Consider the cut – thick-cut bacon has a different texture and cooking time than regular cut. I suggest using what a recipe calls for.
How to Cook Bacon in the Oven
- Preheat the oven to 400˚F. Line a heavy-duty rimmed baking sheet with parchment.
- Arrange bacon slices so they are touching but not overlapping.
- Bake Regular cut bacon for 15-20 minutes and thick-cut bacon for 20-30 minutes, or to your desired crispiness
- Transfer bacon from the baking sheet to a paper-towel-lined plate and serve.
Pro Tip: Keep the rendered pork fat (especially if you have high-quality bacon). Use it for making Hash Browns or Roasted Brussels Sprouts. Let the bacon grease cool for 10 minutes then pour it into a container and refrigerate until ready to use.
Common Questions
Can I use a rack?
A rack is not necessary and we prefer not to use a rack. Bacon can stick to a rack even if it’s non-stick and it doesn’t brown and crisp as well since it isn’t cooking in its own fat. You’ll have prettier bacon without a rack.
Can I line with foil?
We prefer using parchment paper, but you can use foil if that is what you have on hand.
Can I double the recipe?
You can double the amount of bacon and bake 2 baking sheets at a time on 2 separate racks, just be sure to rotate the baking sheets halfway for even baking.
Can I make this in the Air Fryer?
Absolutely! We have a tutorial for Air Fryer Bacon and it’s faster, but you will have to air fry in smaller batches.
How much bacon fits on a baking sheet?
A half sheet will fit 12 ounces of thin-sliced bacon or 16 ounces of thick-sliced bacon. Make sure you don’t overlap your bacon slices or they will stick together. They can be touching, but not overlapping.
Pro Tip: Use a heavy-duty baking sheet that won’t warp in the oven. These are extra-thick aluminum pans and the types used in a commercial kitchen.
To store Baked Bacon
- To Refrigerate: Let bacon drain on paper towels then cool completely to room temperature. Transfer to a zip-top bag, remove excess air and refrigerate for 4-5 days.
- To Reheat: You can re-crisp bacon on a skillet, in the oven, or in an air fryer. I don’t recommend reheating in the microwave because it gets chewy and rubbery.
Oven baked bacon is the most efficient way to cook up a bigger batch of bacon. We love this method for a lazy Saturday morning, paired with our fluffy Scrambled Eggs and sliced avocado for the perfect breakfast.
Recipes with Bacon
These are our favorite ways to serve crispy baked bacon. Let me know your favorite things to make with oven baked bacon in the comments.
- BLT Sandwich
- Eggs Benedict
- Deviled Eggs with Bacon
- Cheese Ball with Bacon
- Avocado Chicken Salad
Oven Baked Bacon Recipe
5 from 17 votes
Author: Natasha Kravchuk
Oven baked bacon is easy and convenient. You don’t need a wire rack and you don’t need to flip them. It’s our favorite method because it’s effortless, and mess-free. You can also bake a big batch of bacon for a crowd, even baking 2 baking sheets at a time.
Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
Cook Time: 20 minutes mins
Total Time: 25 minutes mins
Ingredients
Servings: 6 people
- 12 oz regular sliced bacon, or 16 oz thick-sliced bacon
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400˚F. Line a half sheet rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
Arrange slices so they are touching but not overlapping.
Bake regular cut bacon for 15-20 minutes or thick-cut bacon for 20-28 minutes. Timing varies depending on the fat content in the bacon and your desired crispiness. If baking 2 baking sheets at a time, rotate the baking sheets halfway.
Use tongs to remove bacon from the baking sheet and transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate and serve.
Nutrition Per Serving
236kcal Calories1g Carbs7g Protein23g Fat8g Saturated Fat4g Polyunsaturated Fat10g Monounsaturated Fat1g Trans Fat37mg Cholesterol375mg Sodium112mg Potassium21IU Vitamin A3mg Calcium1mg Iron
- Full Nutrition Label
- Nutrition Disclosure
Nutrition Facts
Oven Baked Bacon Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
236
% Daily Value*
Fat
23
g
35
%
Saturated Fat
8
g
50
%
Trans Fat
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
10
g
Cholesterol
37
mg
12
%
Sodium
375
mg
16
%
Potassium
112
mg
3
%
Carbohydrates
1
g
%
Protein
7
g
14
%
Vitamin A
21
IU
%
Calcium
3
mg
%
Iron
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: baked bacon, how to cook bacon in the oven
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $
Calories: 236