If you want to achieve a hassle-free and delicious batch of bacon, cooking it in the oven is the way to go. In this article, I will instruct you through a simple and foolproof way for cooking bacon in the oven, ensuring delectably crispy strips every time.
1. How to Cook Bacon in the Oven
Ingredients
- Bacon strips (as many as desired)
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Preheating is essential to ensure that the bacon cooks evenly and crisps up to perfection.
Step 2: Prepare the Baking Sheet
Line a large rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper. This will make cleanup easier and prevent the bacon from sticking to the pan.
Step 3: Arrange the Bacon Strips
Lay the bacon strips flat on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they do not overlap. Leave a small space between each strip to allow for even cooking and crispiness.
Step 4: Bake the Bacon
Place the baking sheet with the bacon in the preheated oven on the middle rack.
Bake the bacon for 15-20 minutes, depending on the desired level of crispiness and the thickness of the bacon slices.
Halfway through the cooking time, rotate the baking sheet 180 degrees to ensure even browning.
Step 5: Drain and Serve
Once the bacon reaches your preferred level of crispness, remove the baking sheet from the oven.
Using tongs or a fork, transfer the cooked bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess grease.
Allow the bacon to cool for a minute before serving, as it will become even crispier as it cools.
2. Pros of Cooking Bacon in the Oven
Hands-Free Cooking: Baking bacon eliminates the need to stand over a skillet flipping slices. This leaves you free to multitask and prepare other parts of your meal.
Less Mess: Oven baking significantly reduces the grease splatter that’s common when frying bacon on the stovetop. Cleanup is also easier when you use foil or parchment paper to line the pan.
Even Cooking: The consistent heat of the oven ensures that all slices cook evenly, with no undercooked or burnt edges.
Batch Cooking Made Easy: Whether you’re preparing breakfast for a crowd or meal-prepping for the week, the oven allows you to cook a large quantity of bacon all at once.
Customizable Crispiness: Baking gives you full control over how crispy or chewy you want your bacon to be. Simply adjust the cooking time to suit your preference.
3. What To Do With Oven-Baked Bacon?
Classic Breakfast Combos
Oven-baked bacon is a breakfast staple. Pair it with scrambled eggs, pancakes, or waffles for a traditional morning meal. You can also use it to make breakfast sandwiches with fried eggs, cheese, and toasted bread or bagels.
Bacon in Sandwiches and Wraps
Add crispy bacon to your favorite sandwiches or wraps to enhance flavor and texture. It works wonderfully in:
- BLTs (Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato): Combine it with fresh lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and mayo on toasted bread.
- Club Sandwiches: Layer bacon with turkey, ham, lettuce, and tomato for a classic lunch.
- Breakfast Wraps: Roll bacon into a tortilla with scrambled eggs, cheese, and avocado.
Upgrade Salads
Crumble oven-baked bacon over salads to add a savory crunch. It complements a variety of greens and dressings. Try it in:
- Caesar Salad: Sprinkle crispy bacon on top of romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese, and croutons.
- Spinach Salad: Pair bacon with spinach, boiled eggs, red onions, and a tangy vinaigrette.
- Chopped Salads: Add it to a mix of vegetables, cheese, and grilled chicken for a filling meal.
Enhance Soups and Stews
Bacon can be a game-changer in soups and stews. Use it as a garnish or stir it in for extra flavor. Popular options include:
- Potato Soup: Top creamy potato soup with crumbled bacon, shredded cheese, and green onions.
- Clam Chowder: Add crispy bacon to this hearty seafood dish for a smoky twist.
- Bean or Lentil Soups: Stir in bacon for added depth and richness.
Add to Pasta Dishes
Bacon pairs beautifully with pasta, creating savory, satisfying dishes. Use it in:
- Carbonara: Toss bacon with spaghetti, eggs, Parmesan, and black pepper for a classic Italian dish.
- Mac and Cheese: Mix crumbled bacon into creamy mac and cheese for a smoky, crunchy addition.
- Bacon Alfredo: Combine bacon with fettuccine and a rich Alfredo sauce for a decadent meal.
Toppings for Pizza
Turn your homemade or store-bought pizza into a bacon-lover’s dream. Add crispy bacon as a topping alongside other ingredients like mushrooms, onions, and mozzarella. For a unique twist, try pairing bacon with pineapple or barbecue sauce.
Cooking bacon in the oven is a convenient and efficient method that yields beautifully crispy and evenly cooked strips. By following the simple recipe in this article, I hope that you can enjoy hassle-free bacon that requires minimal attention while the oven does the work.
