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With this oven-cooked bacon recipe you get perfectly crisp, evenly cooked, delicious bacon with less mess and no fuss. Try it today. I promise you won't make bacon in a skillet again.
I remember as a child we only made bacon on special occasions like holidays or birthdays. Making bacon always seemed like such a chore. Then, a few years ago a friend told me about a little secret. You can make oven- baked bacon. Say what? My mind was blown. Here's the other secret. It will turn out perfect and delicious every time. Whether you prefer thick bacon, thin bacon, or extra crispy bacon, with this oven-baked bacon recipe you will not be disappointed. Keep reading to find out more.
Ingredients
All you need to make this oven-cooked bacon recipe is bacon, approximately 8-10 slices or 1/2 pound.
Oven-Cooked Bacon Directions
Making this oven-baked bacon recipe takes minimal prep time. All you need is bacon, a large, rimmed, baking sheet, parchment paper, and tongs. Follow these simple steps below.
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. I recommend using an oven thermometer (paid Amazon link) to prevent your bacon from burning.
- Line a large rimmed baking sheet (paid Amazon link) with parchment paper covering the sides.
- Place 8-10 slices of bacon on the parchment paper in a single layer. DO NOT overlap the bacon slices. Your bacon will stick together and cook unevenly. For more than 10 slices use 2 separate baking sheets.
- Place the bacon in the preheated oven and bake for 15-25 minutes depending on thickness and your desired crispiness.
- Remove bacon from the oven and drain the grease.
- Using tongs, remove the bacon slices from the pan and place them on a serving plate lined with paper towels. Cover the bacon slices with a paper towel to soak up any excess grease.
- Serve immediately and Enjoy!
Pro Tips
- Set your oven temperature at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. There are a lot of different options when it comes to making the best oven-cooked bacon recipe. Some prefer to make bacon in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit and some prefer to make bacon in the oven with the temperature set at 425 degrees. I set the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This seems to yield evenly cooked bacon with just the right amount of crispness.
- Preheat your oven. Some prefer to make oven-baked bacon in a cold oven, with no preheating. I have tried both ways and find preheating the oven helps the bacon cook more evenly. Try both ways and see which you prefer.
- Parchment paper or Aluminum Foil? Some choose to use parchment paper and some aluminum foil when making oven-cooked bacon. There are pros and cons. Parchment paper seems better when cooking thinly sliced bacon. The bacon slices don't stick to the parchment paper. Aluminum foil seems a bit easier to clean up. The choice is yours. Either way, you're bacon is sure to be delicious.
Is Bacon Gluten-Free?
Technically Bacon is gluten-free, but watch out for ingredients such as dextrins, starches and added flavorings. These often contain gluten. To be sure, look for bacon labeled gluten-free.
The following brands are known to be labeled gluten-free. If you have multiple food allergies, check these labels carefully as these brands may contain other allergens.
For more information on how to read food labels for allergens see my Allergy-Free Shopping Guide
- Applegate Farms
- Beeler's
- Boar's Head
- Dakin Farm
- Dietz & Watson
- Jones Dairy Farm
- Wellshire Farms
How Long do You Cook Bacon in the Oven?
If you're making thin bacon, bake it for 15 minutes and check it at 12 minutes. If you're making thick bacon in the oven, bake it for 25 minutes and check it at 20 minutes. Cook it to your desired crispiness. Watch it carefully. Bacon will burn quickly.
Ways to use Cooked Bacon
- Serve it for breakfast with eggs, muffins, or make your own bacon and egg breakfast sandwiches. Use it to make breakfast burritos.
- Use it for garnish in a bloody Mary. See my recipe for Homemade Gluten-Free Bloody Mary Mix
- Serve it for lunch on a BLT or other sandwiches.
- Use it as a topping on your favorite homemade pizza.
How to Store Cooked Bacon
Store cooked bacon in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days. Store cooked bacon in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
To reheat cover bacon slices with a paper towel and gently rewarm them in the microwave. From frozen, thaw bacon in the refrigerator, bring it to room temperature, and then gently warm it in the microwave.
What to do with Bacon Grease?
Leftover bacon grease actually great to cook with because it has a high smoke point. It's great for sauteing vegetables and for frying eggs or hashbrowns. Try using bacon grease instead of butter for popping popcorn. Bacon grease can really add a lot of extra flavor to just about anything you cook. The possibilities are endless.
How to Store Bacon Grease
Pour warm (NOT hot) bacon grease into a wide-mouth, glass container using a mesh strainer or coffee filter. Seal the container tightly and store it in the refrigerator or freezer. Strained bacon grease will last up to 1 year in the refrigerator or freezer. Unstrained bacon grease will last approximately 2-3 months because the solid bits of bacon will cause the grease to turn rancid more quickly.
How to Discard Bacon Grease
Let the bacon grease cool completely on the parchment paper or foil. Once it hardens wrap it up and place it into the trash.
Try this recipe with my Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Pancakes, or use it in my Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Casserole.
Best Oven-Cooked Bacon Recipe
Equipment
- 1-2 Large, rimmed baking sheet(s)
- Parchment paper or Foil Your preference
- Kitchen tongs
- Serving plate
- Paper towels
- Glass container with a lid For storing the bacon grease
- Mesh strainer or coffee filter For draining the bacon grease
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound Bacon slices approximately 8-10 slices
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper covering the sides.
- Place 8-10 slices of bacon on the parchment paper in a single layer. DO NOT overlap the bacon slices.
- Place the bacon in the preheated oven and bake for 15-25 minutes depending on thickness and your desired crispiness.
- Using tongs, remove the bacon slices from the pan and place them on a serving plate lined with paper towels.
- Cover the bacon slices with a paper towel to soak up any excess grease.
- Once cooled, drain the grease into a glass container and seal it tightly.
- Serve immediately and Enjoy!
Notes
- DO NOT overlap the bacon slices. Your bacon will stick together and cook unevenly. For more than 10 slices use 2 separate baking sheets.
- If you're making thin bacon, bake it for 15 minutes and check it at 12 minutes. If you're making thick bacon in the oven, bake it for 25 minutes and check it at 20 minutes. Cook it to your desired crispiness. Watch it carefully. Bacon will burn quickly.
Did you try this method? Let me know how it turned out. Leave a comment below.
Blessings, Laura xo
