One of the easiest ways to enjoy our favorite savory meat is cooking bacon in the oven. Have you tried bakin’ your bacon?
Learning how to cook bacon in an oven is super simple, and I love this method for preparing a large quantity of the sizzling strips for a party, brunch or potluck.
It’s simple and quick, and clean up is easy, too. This oven baked bacon cooking technique might CHANGE YOUR LIFE!
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Why You’ll Go Hog Wild for Oven Cooked Bacon
Here’s why we like cooking the bacon on a baking sheet in the oven:
- This method is the easiest way to cook a lot of bacon for a crowd.
- The bacon slices stay flat.
- The strips cook evenly.
- The bacon doesn’t need constant watching. Perfect for lazy mornings!
- The flavor is amazing.
- No spatters!
- Easy clean-up.
Method 1: Bacon in Hot Oven on Parchment Paper
This is my favorite way of preparing bacon here in the BENSA Bacon Lovers Society Test Kitchen. I often use this method when I want to have control over how done the bacon is and how brown it gets.
It’s also a great method for partially pre-cooking bacon for recipes like Bacon Weave Meatloaf and Bacon Wrapped Scallops.
Equipment Needed
You probably already have everything you need to oven cook bacon to crispy perfection:
- Large rimmed baking sheet pan
- Aluminum foil
- Parchment paper
- Tongs or a spatula
- Paper towels
Prepare Your Baking Sheet
If you line your baking sheet with foil, the grease gathers in the bottom of the pan for easy clean up. I like to add a sheet of parchment paper on top of the foil, which keeps the bacon from sticking and helps it cook more evenly.
Best Temperature to Bake Bacon in the Oven
After numerous tests in our test kitchen, I recommend an oven cooking temperature of 350 degrees F (177 degrees C).
This temperature is hot enough to cook the bacon efficiently, but not so hot that the bacon grease will start to smoke.
If you’re not in a hurry, you can reduce the heat to 300 degrees F and let the bacon cook more slowly. Just check it periodically so that it gets crispy and golden brown to your liking.
Step by Step Instructions
STEP 1 | Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and move the oven rack to the middle of the oven if necessary.
STEP 2 | Arrange the bacon strips on the parchment paper and foil lined baking sheet pan. It’s okay to overlap them a bit since they’ll shrink while cooking.
Pro Cooking Tip: If one end of the bacon slices is narrower than the other, you can alternate the directions strips as we did here:
STEP 3 | Put the pan in the oven and bake until the bacon is browned and crispy and just the amount of doneness that you like. You don’t need to turn the strips over while baking, but if you want them to be perfectly cooked on both sides you can flip them over after about 12 minutes.
Pro Cooking Tip: The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of your bacon, how your oven cooks, and how crispy you like your bacon. Keep an eye on the bacon after about 12 minutes, and make a note of the ideal cooking time so you can repeat your success.
Here in the BENSA test kitchen, a pan of regular sliced bacon cooked (until it’s crisp but still chewy) takes about 20 minutes.
STEP 4 | Remove the pan carefully from the oven and let the bacon cool for a minute or two. Use a spatula or tongs to transfer the bacon to a paper towel lined plate to drain before serving.
Method 2: Cooking Bacon in a Cold Oven
Some people swear by the cold oven method of making oven fried bacon, and say that it shrinks less if you start it cold. While we haven’t experienced a noticeable difference, this method eliminates the preheating step and we’re always in favor of fewer steps.
Here’s how to do it: instead of preheating the oven, put the pan of bacon in the oven and then set the temperature to 350 degrees F. Bake for about 15 minutes and then flip the bacon over and continue cooking.
In our kitchen, it takes about 25 minutes to bake a pan of bacon when we start with a cold oven.
Method 3: Using a Cooking Rack to Bake Bacon
If you like your bacon extra crispy, cooking it on a rack is the way to go. Elevating it allows the heat from the oven to flow over and under the bacon as the fat drips away. You’ll need a special ovenproof cooking rack that fits in a baking sheet.
Expert cooking tip: Don’t be tempted to use a cookie cooling rack for cooking bacon, as it may be treated with a nonstick coating or not be able to withstand the temperature of the oven.
STEP 1 | Heat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a large baking sheet or broiler pan with foil.
STEP 2 | Place the cooking rack on top and arrange the bacon strips. You can overlap the strips a bit if needed, since the slices will shrink while cooking.
STEP 3 | Cook for about 15 to 20 minutes, watching carefully so the bacon doesn’t overcook, until it’s browned and crispy and just the way you like it. The exact timing will depend on how hot your oven cooks, and whether you’re using regular or thick cut bacon.
Pro Cooking Tip: For more evenly cooked bacon, rotate the pan once (so the front of the pan is now in the back) and also turn the strips over halfway during cooking.
STEP 4 | When the bacon is done, remove the pan from the oven and cool for 5 minutes. Use tongs or a spatula to move the bacon to paper towels to drain, and serve.
Method 4: Fast and Easy Oven Broiled Bacon
If you’re in a hurry, using your oven’s broiler setting is a great way to quickly cook a batch of bacon. You’ll just need to stay nearby and watch the bacon closely so it doesn’t overcook or burn.
Also, this method can sometimes make the bacon spatter more, which can lead to a smoky oven and kitchen.
STEP 1 | Turn the oven setting to Broil-Medium temperature and move the oven rack, if necessary, to the middle of the oven.
STEP 2 | Arrange bacon strips on a foil-lined baking sheet. (Don’t add parchment paper, which could catch on fire under the hot broiler.)
STEP 3 | Broil until the top of the bacon is brown and crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Watch carefully so it doesn’t over cook.
STEP 4 | Use tongs or a spatula to turn the bacon strips over. Return to the oven and broil until the the other side is browned and crispy, 2 to 4 more minutes. Drain on paper towels and serve.
Easy Clean Up
With any of these three methods, you can easily save the bacon fat for other uses. Let the bacon grease cool to room temperature on the pan, and carefully pour it in a sealable container to use for cooking. (Here’s our guide about what to do with bacon grease.)
Or you can carefully fold the foil towards the center of the pan to contain the grease and discard it.
Make Your Own Pre-Cooked Bacon
You can easily refrigerate a batch of cooked bacon and reheat it the next day. This is a great option if you’re preparing breakfast or brunch for a group of people and want to cook ahead so you can enjoy the party!
Let your cooked bacon cool to room temperature. Put it in a dish and cover with foil. Refrigerate for up to 24 hours. (For more tips, check out How to Store Cooked Bacon.)
How to Reheat Bacon in Oven
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F, line a baking sheet with parchment paper (no aluminum foil is needed for reheating), and arrange the bacon slices in a single layer. Cook until hot and just starting to sizzle, about 10 minutes. Cool on a pan for a few minutes before serving.
While leftover bacon is a rarity, it does happen! Here are 6 more techniques for how to reheat bacon.
Can You Freeze Cooked Bacon?
Because of its high fat content, cooked bacon freezes surprisingly well. After you’ve cooked it and drained it, gather the bacon strips and loosely stack.
Wrap the stack gently in parchment paper or wax paper, folding the ends down to make a package. Tuck the package inside of a freezer-safe bag and freeze. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating it.
FAQs
It takes about 20 minutes to make oven fried bacon at 350 degrees F in the BENSA test kitchen. Your timing may vary depending on the thickness of your bacon and how your oven cooks.
The bacon is finished cooking when it is browned on both sides and crispy. Depending on how crunchy you like it, some of the streaky fat areas may still be pliable and less crispy, or you can cook the bacon a few minutes longer until the fat is browned and it’s super crispy.
Uncooked, unopened bacon in its original packaging should last at least a week past the “sell by” date. However, in our experience the flavor is best if you cook it within 7 days after purchasing. Read more about storing and keeping unopened bacon fresh.
For the best flavor, we recommend consuming the bacon within 5 days of opening. Take the bacon out of the original packaging and wrap it tightly in coated parchment paper or Press & Seal, and then wrap the bundle in aluminum foil. If you’re not going to eat it within 5 days, just wrap it tightly and freeze it.
Sadly, like most foods, bacon can spoil if stored improperly. If you notice a foul odor, slimy texture or dull brown color, discard the bacon. (For more info, check out How to Tell When Bacon is Bad.)
Cooked bacon will last 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator if you wrap it tightly to keep oxygen out and store it in a cool section of the fridge. For more information, be sure to read our guide to storing cooked bacon in the refrigerator.
More Ways to Cook Bacon
Looking for more creative ideas for how to cook bacon? Try these techniques:
Learn how to make the fun Bacon Swizzle Sticks shown above, perfect for a tasty Bacon Bloody Mary.
Enjoy bacon in the great outdoors with our directions for cooking bacon on the grill and pellet grill bacon.
You might also enjoy our guides about how to cook wavy bacon in the oven and how to make super crunchy bacon with flour in the oven.
Recipes to Use Leftover Bacon
While we’ve never actually heard anyone say the words “What can I do with leftover bacon?” it’s always possible. These recipes are a perfect way to use oven-cooked bacon:
- Stovetop Bacon Mac and Cheese
- Best Deviled Eggs with Bacon
- Mini Quiches with Bacon, Egg and Cheese
- BLAT (bacon, lettuce, avocado, tomato) Sandwich
Printable Recipe
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Cook Bacon in the Oven (Easy Recipe)
Equipment
- baking sheet
- aluminum foil
- parchment paper
- tongs
- paper towels
Ingredients
- 1 pound smoked sliced bacon
Optional additions:
- freshly ground black pepper
- cayenne pepper
- brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Cover a large baking sheet with foil. Line it with a sheet of parchment paper.
- Arrange bacon slices on the prepared baking sheet. It's okay if they overlap a little.
- Cook the bacon until it's browned and crispy to your liking, about 20-25 minutes.
- Remove from oven and let the bacon cool on the pan for 5 minutes. Use a tong or spatula to transfer to paper towels. Drain and serve.
- Optional: For oven-baked spicy bacon, sprinkle the bacon with freshly ground black pepper and/or cayenne pepper during the last 10 minutes of baking. Turn the bacon strips over with tongs, sprinkle the other side with pepper, and continue baking until done.
- Variation: For sweet glazed baked bacon, sprinkle brown sugar on top of the bacon strips during the last 15 minutes of baking.
Notes
ADD YOUR OWN PRIVATE NOTES
Whenever you come back to this recipe, you’ll be able to see your notes!
Nutrition
How about you? Do you cook your bacon in the oven, and if so, do you have any additional tips to share? We’d love to hear from you in the Comments.
You might also enjoy watching the web story about making crispy bacon in the oven.
Pin For Later
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Baked bacon is wonderful…you might also try topping it with brown sugar and a pinch of cayenne pepper before you bake it. You’ll end up with a sweet, spicy, salty treat…candied bacon! YUM!
The absolute best and only way to cook consistently crispy bacon every time. Added bonus not messy stovetop to clean.
Beth, thank you and I love the easy cleanup, too!
Bacon in the oven is perfect for lazy weekends – we love it out of the oven! Such an easy and tasty recipe.
So glad you like the recipe, and is there anything better than a lazy weekend combined with BACON? :-)
Perfect tips! I used to only pan cook bacon, but with littles in the kitchen, that grease became dangerous. Thanks for a new option that makes even better bacon!
Tracy, that’s a good point and I’m glad this bacon cooking method keeps the kitchen a little safer for your precious family. xo
My favorite way to make bacon. It is so easy and less messy. Thanks for sharing.
Agreed! Bakin’ bacon has been a game changer at our house, and made it easier to enjoy our family meaty treat more often. So glad you like it, too!
I really love this. Less clean up, no grease splatter and it comes out perfectly crispy.
LOVE not having to worry about those pesky grease spatters! Thanks for your nice comment.
Bacon turned out perfect! I love this method, thanks for the easy recipe!
This was great – I love that the bacon syayed flat instead of curling up. Was perfect for my BLT sandwiches – thanks!
I never heard about cooking bacon that way. This looks delicious and so easy. I will try this next time.
Such an easy method for bacon!
I love all the tips here! It’s so nice not having to deal with the stovetop or splatter!
What a game changer! This is the only way I’ll make bacon from now on!
Once you make bacon in the oven you will never go back to your old way. It’s so easy and comes out super crisp.
This is such a great way to cook bacon! It makes batch cooking so much easier, and it comes out perfect every time.
Baking bacon is the only way to cook bacon! Love this. I always crack a generous amount of pepper over the bacon before popping it in the oven. Counter the saltiness of the bacon just right!
This is perfect, I need to make a LOT of bacon this weekend and this is the way I will do it!
Wonderful tip, thank you. Love bacon and I will try it your way with some cayenne pepper, sounds so delicious.
This is the easiest way to cook bacon! I also plan on making more and freezing it. I didn’t realize you can freeze cooked bacon, but this is going to be a game changer for times you want bacon on your burgers.
Bacon! Bacon! Bacon! My heart! I love to eat bacon, but I don’t like to fry it on the stovetop. Thanks for an easy way to cook bacon in the oven.
This is great. The bacon comes out so crispy and delicious every time!
My bacons turned out crispy! Love this method for making batches of bacon from the oven instead of the pan!
I really hate frying bacon or worrying about it under the grill. This is perfect!
This method for cooking bacon really was a game changer for our family! So much easier to cook a bunch of bacon at once and it turns out perfect every time!
Wow thats a quick and easy recipe! thanks for the detailed post!
I cook mine in the oven too. So much easier and I can do a big batch!
Such a great option for breakfast or brunch! Definitely more easy and hands-off than cooking on the stove top.
This the best way to cook bacon!! No grease splatters…and thanks for the tip on how the time can vary depending on the thickness.
My family thought this came out perfectly. Thank you for another winner!
I like your addition of cayenne pepper and seasoning.
This is a game changer! Now I can do other things while the bacon is cooking instead of keeping a constant eye on it. Thank you!
Thanks so much for dropping by and letting us know! I agree that oven cooked bacon is a game changer! So easy, especially when you want to make a large batch of bacon.
Wow! this is my new favorite recipe!
That’s awesome to hear! (It’s hard to beat crispy, perfectly cooked bacon!)
This is the ultimate guide to cooking bacon! I never thought to broil it but it turned out so good. Definitely coming back to this again!
Thanks, Bobby! Broiling is such a quick and easy way to cook bacon. So glad the recipe was helpful!
We have a big family, so cooking in bacon in the oven is a huge time-saver!
I love your website!
I hate how you list the recipes!
If you must number them, ok; but please add their titles so I can pick and choose which to access because I may already have saved it to my thumb drive!
Thanks.
Thank you for your feedback, which I always appreciate and definitely take into consideration. I’m so glad you love our website. Are you referring to the numbered list of recipes in the weekly email? ~Eliza