Description
Crispy, perfectly cooked bacon made easy in the oven! This method is less messy than frying and delivers consistently delicious results.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound thick-cut bacon (about 12–16 slices)
- Optional: 1-2 tablespoons maple syrup or brown sugar (for a sweeter bacon)
- Optional: Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Optional: Red pepper flakes, to taste (for a spicy kick)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Make sure your oven is fully preheated before you start.
- Prepare your baking sheet. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. For extra crispy bacon, use a wire rack placed on top of the baking sheet.
- Arrange the bacon slices. Lay the bacon slices in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they aren’t overlapping. If using a wire rack, carefully place each slice on the rack, evenly spaced. You might need two baking sheets.
- Optional: Add your sweet or spicy touch. If you’re going for a sweeter bacon, lightly brush each slice with maple syrup or sprinkle with brown sugar. For a spicy kick, sprinkle a pinch of red pepper flakes over the bacon. Freshly ground black pepper is also a great addition.
- Bake the bacon. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and golden brown. The exact baking time will depend on the thickness of your bacon and your oven, so keep a close eye on it. Thicker bacon will require a longer baking time.
- Monitor the bacon closely. Check the bacon frequently after about 12 minutes to prevent burning. The edges will start to curl up and the bacon will become a deep golden brown when it’s ready. If you’re using a wire rack, the bacon will likely cook a bit faster.
- Adjust baking time as needed. If the bacon is not crispy enough after 20 minutes, continue baking for a few more minutes, checking every minute or so. Remember, you want it crispy, but not burnt!
- Remove the bacon from the oven. Once the bacon is cooked to your liking, carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven. Be careful, the baking sheet and bacon will be very hot!
- Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Use tongs to transfer the bacon slices to a plate lined with paper towels. This will help absorb any excess grease and keep the bacon crispy.
- Let the bacon cool slightly. Allow the bacon to cool for a few minutes before serving. This will allow it to crisp up even further.
- Serve and enjoy! Serve the crispy oven-baked bacon immediately. It’s delicious on its own, or as part of a breakfast platter, in sandwiches, salads, or even crumbled over soups.
Notes
- Use thick-cut bacon for best results.
- Don’t overcrowd the baking sheet.
- A wire rack helps achieve extra crispy bacon.
- Monitor the bacon closely to prevent burning.
- Adjust baking time based on bacon thickness and oven.
- Save the bacon grease for cooking other dishes!
- Experiment with different spices and seasonings.
- Use heavy-duty aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
- Spray the wire rack with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Reheat leftover bacon in a 350°F (175°C) oven or microwave.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes