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Cooking oven bacon – skip the stovetop splatter and make your bacon in the oven instead! This foolproof method gives you perfectly crisp slices every time. You can use in in my Mashed Potato Casserole, Honey Mustard Chicken Salad or add to these Baked Potato Slices.
Whether you’re working with thick-cut bacon, thin strips, or even turkey bacon, this technique is clean, simple, and hands-off.
Baking bacon in the oven is one of those kitchen hacks you’ll wonder how you ever lived without. No need to use a wire rack-just line your pan and let the oven do the work. Cleanup is a breeze!
It’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or meal prep.
Why You’ll Love This Oven Bacon Recipe
- No mess: No grease splatter on the stove, no flipping, no fuss.
- Even cooking: The bacon comes out evenly cooked with crisp edges and tender centers.
- Customizable: Works for thick, thin, or turkey bacon.
- Hands-free: While it bakes, you can prep the rest of breakfast.
- Flexible crispiness: Bake to your desired level of crispiness—it’s all about personal preference.
What You’ll Need
- Bacon (thin-cut, thick-cut, or turkey bacon)
- Baking sheet
- Aluminum foil (for lining and easy cleanup)
- Parchment paper (helps prevent sticking)
- Optional: black pepper for seasoning
Cooking Oven Bacon
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place a sheet of parchment paper on top.
3. Lay the raw strips of bacon on the parchment in a single layer. Do not overlap.
4. Bake for about 15–20 minutes, depending on the thickness and your desired crispiness.
- Thin bacon: Start checking around 10–12 minutes.
- Thick-cut: Estimate closer to 18–20 minutes.
- Turkey bacon: May be done a few minutes earlier.
5. Use tongs to carefully remove the bacon and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
6. Optional: Pour off the bacon fat, strain, and store. Or discard if not using.
Recipe Tips
- Recipe Tips
- Sprinkle with black pepper before baking for extra flavor.
- Watch closely near the end: Bacon can go from perfectly crisp to too dark quickly.
- Save the grease: Pour leftover bacon grease into a jar once cooled for cooking later.
- Batch it: You can bake multiple trays if your oven has convection or good airflow.
- Use parchment over foil: This double lining helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup easy.
No wire rack needed: The bacon roasts beautifully flat right on the parchment.
Why I Use Aluminum Foil and Parchment Together
Using both aluminum foil and parchment paper when cooking oven bacon gives you the best of both worlds: easy cleanup and nonstick results. The foil helps catch the grease and keeps your pan clean, while the parchment paper prevents the bacon from sticking and burning onto the foil. This combo also keeps the bacon lying flat while it roasts, which helps it cook evenly without the need for a wire rack.
Storage
Let bacon cool completely before storing. Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in a skillet or air fryer for best results. Great for adding quick protein to salads, wraps, or breakfast bowls.
More Recipes Like This
- Oven Baked Chips (Homemade Potato Chips)
- Crispy Roasted Broccoli & Cauliflower
- Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
- Mediterranean Egg Cups
- Ham Spinach Zucchini Frittata
Want crispy bacon without the mess? This oven baked bacon recipe is the easiest way to get golden, delicious strips every time—whether you love it chewy or ultra crisp!
Oven Baked Bacon Recipe
Video
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil, then place a sheet of parchment paper on top.
- Arrange the bacon slices on the baking sheet in a single layer, leaving space between each slice.
- Bake for 10–20 minutes, depending on the thickness and how crispy you like it.
- Start checking at 10 minutes. Thin bacon cooks fast!
- Thick-cut bacon may need closer to 20 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain.
- Optional: Carefully strain the bacon fat into a heat-safe container. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days to use in other recipes.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
