How To Bake Bacon In The Oven

Let's explore the appetizing world of bacon and how each type acts in the oven. Whether you're a traditionalist or an adventurous devourer, there's bacon out there for everyone!

1. American Bacon: This is your go-to for that perfect crunch. Made from pork belly, it contains an ideal fat-to-meat ratio for oven baking. It crisps up perfectly with that satisfying snap with each bite.

2. Canadian Bacon: Want something healthier? Canadian bacon, cut from the tenderloin of pork, is your friend. It won't become extremely crispy but bakes evenly and presents a meaty texture. Ideal for those who watch fat intake.

3. Pancetta: This Italian unsmoked bacon adds a rich salty flavor to a plate. It does bake well but stays much chewier than American bacon. Use when one wants to add a gourmet touch to their dishes.

4. Irish Bacon: Like its Canadian cousin, Irish bacon is lean and full of flavor. It bakes well in the oven, yielding a meatier bite without as much of the extreme crispiness you get with American bacon.

5. Streaky Bacon: If you're a buff of American-style bacon, then streaky bacon is something you will want to try. With the high fat content in it, it crisps up beautifully in the oven — a real rival for its American counterpart.

6. Back Bacon: Back bacon is the combination of pork belly and loin, which provides a different texture when baking. You'll achieve some crispy parts, leaner, and meatier sections; it's a bacon adventure!

7. Turkey Bacon: For those who would like to cut back on pork, there is great turkey bacon as an alternative. Though it will not get quite as crispy as pork bacon, it bakes well and offers a much leaner protein option.

Before you start making oven-baked bacon, gather utensils and bacon of your choice. These are necessary for the best outcome.

Ingredients and tools

• Bacon
• Baking Sheet or Pan
• Parchment Paper or Aluminum Foil
• Oven
• Tongs or Fork
• Cooling Rack (Optional)
• Timer
• Oven Mitts

Instructions

1. Preheat Your Oven

Warm up your oven to 400°F (200°C). The temperature will make the bacon cook consistently and will be perfectly crispy. A hot oven starts rendering the fat correctly for that beautiful crispy and a bit chewy texture.

2. Prepare the Baking Sheet

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. This aids with easy cleanup and will keep the bacon from sticking to the sheet. This also catches the rendered fat to make the process cleaner and more efficient.

3. Lay the Bacon

Place the bacons in one layer on the prepared baking sheet. Make sure that they are not overlapping, so that they will cook properly and get each piece perfectly crispy.

This allows for heat circulation around each strip, avoiding hot spots and ultimately a soggy spot in one area.

4. For Crispy Bacon (optional)

If you like extra crispy bacon, set a cooling rack in the lined baking sheet laying the strips on the rack. This allows the bacon to lift off of the pan a bit, letting the grease drip down and cook the bacon crisper.

5. Bake the Bacon

Place the prepared baking sheet in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, depending on the level of crispiness desired, considering the thickness of the slices.

This way, it will ensure even cooking of the bacon into a golden brown color, which adds to that savory crunch most favorite dishes desire.

6. Check for Doneness

Last few minutes of baking, check on the bacon, it might burn. Get your perfect crispiness and golden brown color for this visual cue. This will make your bacon perfectly cooked with crispy flavor that isn't overcooked.

Adjust the baking time with your desired texture.

7. Remove and Drain

Using oven mitts, carefully pull the baking sheet out of the oven when the bacon is done. Pull the bacon onto a plate lined with paper towels to drain grease from the bacon so it will be crisper and less greasy.

8. Serve and Clean Up

Add your perfectly baked bacon to scrambled eggs, sandwiches well, anything! Or just eat it as is. We won't judge.

You can cook bacon in a 400°F oven for 15-20 min. It is important for fulfilling that impeccable balance of crispiness and flavor. Here's what for:

• At 15 minutes, your bacon will be cooked through but still hold some gumminess. This is perfect for those who prefer their bacon pliable and not too crisp.
• Around 18 minutes, you'll hit the sweet spot for most bacon lovers. The fat will have rendered nicely, forming a good balance of crispy and tender areas.
• At 20 minutes, you're penetrating extra-crispy territory. The bacon will be darker, crunchier, and perfect for crumbling over salads or baked potatoes.

But remember, your bacon's thickness matters. Keep an eye on your bacon as it nears the finish line. You don't want to miss that perfect moment between crispy and burnt!

Temperature

You can play with heat to get exactly the bacon you crave:

• 350°F: This lower temp slowly melts the fat, giving you chewier bacon.
• 375°F: The Goldilocks zone - crispy edges meet a slightly chewy center.
• 400°F: Crank it up for quick-cooking, extra-crispy bacon all the way through.

Why choose? Try all three! Each temperature unlocks different bacon possibilities. Chewy bacon for your BLT, crispy bits for your salad, or a perfectly balanced slice for your breakfast plate – the oven method does it all.

1. Check Slices

Not all bacon is created equal. Some brands, especially store brands, might slice their bacon thinner. Keep a watchful eye on these slices - they can go from perfect to charred in a flash! Start checking earlier than you think you need to.

2. Timing is Everything

Thick-cut bacon lovers, patience is your friend. Those bulky slices need a bit more time to reach crispy perfection. On the flip side, if you're working with thin slices, they'll crisp up sooner than you can say "breakfast is served!"

3. Temperature Tinkering

Like your bacon with a bit more chew? Here's a secret: press the oven back to 375°F (190°C). This lower temp gives you more control, letting you nail that utter balance between crispy and tender. Just remember to adjust your cooking time accordingly.

4. Feeding a Crowd?

Don't cram that bacon! Use two baking sheets and play oven Tetris. Rotate the sheets halfway through cooking for even crispiness. And hey, a few extra minutes in the oven won't hurt if you're cooking up a bacon storm.

5. Safety First, Bacon Second

That sizzling sound isn't just satisfying - it's a warning! Bacon grease is hot stuff and can splatter. Use those oven mitts, and handle your bacon with care. No one wants a side of burns with their breakfast.

• It cooks more evenly: The oven's heat encircles the bacon, cooking it uniformly on all sides.
• You avoid messy splatters: The oven holds the grease, keeping your stovetop clean.
• It's hands-free: Once you pop it in the oven, you're free to arrange other portions of your meal.
• You can cook larger batches: Oven trays hold more bacon than most pans.
• It often results in flatter, crispier bacon: The bacon doesn't curl up as much as it does in a pan.
• It's easier to control the doneness: You can check and adjust cooking time more precisely.

Proper storage of your leftover bacon will keep it fresh for your next move in the kitchen. Here's how:

• Cool down promptly: Let the bacon cool down to room temperature and place it in the refrigerator within 2 hours of baking.
• Container choices: An airtight vessel or tightly wrapped in aluminum foil or plastic wrap works.
• Shelf life: Cooked bacon, if well stored, will last 4 to 5 days in the fridge.
• Freezer option: Freeze up to 3 months for longer storage. Make slices with parchment paper for easy thawing.

Bacon recipes to add oomph with a smoky flavor in endless dishes:

• Breakfast boost: Crumble into scrambled eggs or fold into omelets.
• Salad superstar: Add crispy bacon bits into your favorite spinach salads or Cobb salads.
• Pasta perfection: Toss with carbonara sauce or fold into mac and cheese.
• Sandwich upgrade: Layer into BLTs or club sandwiches.
• Baked potato topper: Sprinkle over loaded baked potatoes with cheese and chives.
• Soup enhancer: Stir into potato soup or clam chowder for added depth.
• Appetizer ace: Wrap around dates or scallops for impressive finger food.

How To Store Bacon Grease For Cooking

Don't throw that liquid gold away! Here's how you preserve and then use your bacon fat:

• Let it cool down: After frying, let the fat cool down completely in the pan for about 10 to 15 minutes. This will prevent burns and also serve to ensure your container does not crack.
• Strain: Pour the still warm fat into a heat-resistant container through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth. This removes any bacon pieces that could go bad.
• Choose Your Container: Find yourself a glass jar that has a tight-fitting lid. Mason jars are perfect!
• Label It: Put the date on your container. It will last for 3 months in the fridge and 6 months in the freezer.
• Store It: Stock it in the fridge for ease of use. If you want it to last further, put it in the freezer.

Use Your Stored Bacon Grease to:

• Fry eggs: Crispy edges on sunny-side-up eggs are a snap.
• Saute veggies: Make green beans or Brussels sprouts savory.
• Make popcorn: Freshly popped corn drizzled with it is divine.
• Grease your pan: Cornbread and pancakes, with no need for butter.