Making crispy bacon in the oven is an easy way to get perfectly cooked bacon without the splatter and mess of stovetop cooking
This hands-off method is ideal for cooking large batches at once, and keeps the stovetop free for preparing other breakfast foods. Each slice cooks evenly, and you won’t need to turn and monitor the cooking.
Oven-baked bacon also makes meal prep simple. You can cook an entire package at once and save extra slices for later use in sandwiches, salads, or recipes.
The sections below explain which pan works best, how long to cook the bacon in the oven, and additional tips for achieving consistently crisp results.
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What you’ll need to make crispy bacon in the oven
To bake bacon in the oven, you’ll need these ingredients and supplies:
- 1 pound of regular or thick-cut bacon
- 1 large 9 x 13-inch baking sheet
- Wire rack to fit the baking sheet
- Optional: Aluminum foil (to line the pan for easy cleanup)
How to cook bacon in the oven
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). This temperature allows the fat to render evenly while crisping the bacon without burning it.
The best way to cook bacon in the oven is on a baking sheet. First, place a wire rack in the baking sheet. This allows the grease to drain easily below the bacon and creates less greasy bacon when the cooking is finished.
Optional: Line the baking sheet with aluminum foil so that the foil extends up the sides of the pan. This makes cleanup extra easy later.
Place the bacon pieces on the rack, trying not to overlap the bacon too much. You can use normal bacon or thick-cut bacon slices.
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake it for 14-25 minutes, depending on the thickness and how crispy you like your bacon.
Check the crispness after about 12 minutes, since oven temperatures can vary.
This oven-baked bacon method really is mess-free. Since the fat drips below the rack, you won’t even need to place the bacon on paper towels to drain when you are done!
A single paper towel placed over the top of the bacon will absorb any grease that is sitting in the hollows of the bacon.
This oven-baked bacon is crispy and is full of flavor. Serve it with eggs, or crumble the bacon and use it in salads and other dishes.
I like to save slices of it to use later for quick-prep sandwiches.
FAQs about crispy bacon in the oven
Do you need to flip bacon when cooking it in the oven?
No, flipping is not necessary. Bacon cooks evenly in the oven when laid in a single layer, making this a hands-off cooking method.
Can you cook a full package of bacon in the oven?
Yes, cooking a full package of bacon in the oven is one of the biggest advantages of this method. Use a large rimmed baking sheet and avoid overlapping slices.
How do you keep bacon from sticking to the pan if you don’t use a rack?
Lining the pan with foil or parchment paper prevents sticking and makes cleanup quick and easy.
Is oven-baked bacon healthier than pan-fried bacon?
Oven-baked bacon allows excess fat to drip away from the slices, which can slightly reduce the amount of grease left on the bacon compared to pan frying.
How do you store leftover oven-baked bacon?
Store cooked bacon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4–5 days. Reheat briefly in the microwave or oven until warmed through.
Can you cook turkey bacon in the oven?
Sure — here’s a tighter version:
Can you cook turkey bacon in the oven?
Yes. Bake turkey bacon at 400°F (204°C) for 12–18 minutes, flipping once halfway through, since it is leaner. It will crisp slightly and firm up as it cools.
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🥓✨ No more greasy stovetop mess! Learn how to bake perfectly crispy oven bacon—with less fat, more flavor, and easy cleanup. 👉 Get the recipe on The Gardening Cook. 😋🍳 #BaconLove #BreakfastTips #KitchenHacks #OvenCooking Share on XPin this recipe for how to bake bacon in the oven
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Admin note: This no mess oven bacon recipe first appeared on the blog in October 2013. This post has been updated with new photos, a printable recipe card, and a slideshow video.
Making Crispy Bacon in the Oven
Making crispy bacon in the oven is very easy to do and prevents the splatter and mess of stovetop bacon.
It's a great way to cook a lot of bacon at once with perfectly consistent results.
Materials
- 1 pound of bacon
Tools
- A 9 x 13-inch baking sheet
- Wire rack to fit the baking sheet
- Optional: Aluminum foil to line the baking sheet
Instructions
- Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Place a wire rack in the baking sheet.
- Optional: Line the baking sheet with aluminum foil so that the foil extends up the sides of the pan. This makes cleanup extra easy later.
- Place the bacon pieces on the rack, trying not to overlap the bacon too much.
- Place the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake it for 14-25 minutes, depending on the thickness of the bacon and how crispy you like it.
- Check the bacon after about 12 minutes, since oven temperatures can vary.
- Remove the bacon when it is done to your liking.
- Place a paper towel over the top to lightly dab the grease (most of the grease drains into the baking sheet below the rack).
- Serve immediately, or save to use later in sandwiches, salads or recipes.
Notes
You can use either normal bacon or thick slice bacon.
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