How To Cook Bacon In The Oven

tl;dr
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C), line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil, arrange the bacon slices on the sheet in a single layer, and bake for 12-20 minutes until desired crispiness is reached.

Cooking bacon in the oven is a convenient and mess-free method that can result in perfectly crispy bacon every time. Here are the steps to cook bacon in the oven:

Preheat oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). This temperature allows the bacon to cook evenly and become crispy.

Line a baking sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil to prevent the bacon from sticking to the pan and to make clean up easier.

Arrange the bacon: Arrange the bacon slices in a single layer on the lined baking sheet, leaving a little space between each slice. Do not overlap the slices as this can result in uneven cooking.

Bake the bacon: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 12-20 minutes, depending on the thickness of the bacon and the desired level of crispiness. Thicker bacon may require a few more minutes in the oven, while thinner bacon may cook faster.

Check the bacon: After 12 minutes, check the bacon to see if it has reached the desired level of crispiness. If the bacon is not crispy enough, return it to the oven and check it every 2-3 minutes until it is done to your liking.

Remove the bacon from the oven: When the bacon is crispy, remove it from the oven and place it on a paper towel to absorb any excess grease.

Serve or store: Serve the bacon immediately, or store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. To reheat the bacon, place it in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 5-10 minutes until warm and crispy.

Cooking bacon in the oven is a great way to make a large batch of bacon for a crowd or to meal prep for the week. It is also a convenient and mess-free method that eliminates the need for a stovetop or griddle, freeing up space for other cooking tasks. So next time you crave bacon, try cooking it in the oven for an easy and delicious meal.