If you love bacon but dread the mess and hassle of frying it on the stove, cooking thick bacon in the oven is your new best friend. Oven-baked bacon is easy, less messy, and yields perfectly crispy, evenly cooked slices every time. Whether you’re preparing breakfast for a crowd or just want a stress-free way to enjoy thick-cut bacon, this method will change your bacon game forever.
Why Cook Thick Bacon in the Oven?
Cooking bacon in the oven offers several advantages:
– Even cooking: The oven’s consistent heat cooks bacon evenly, avoiding burnt edges and undercooked spots.
– Less mess: No grease splatters on your stovetop.
– Hands-off: You don’t have to stand over the pan flipping bacon.
– Batch cooking: Easily cook a large amount at once.
– Easy cleanup: Using parchment or foil-lined trays makes cleanup a breeze.
What You’ll Need
– Thick-cut bacon (about 12 slices per baking sheet)
– A rimmed baking sheet
– Aluminum foil and parchment paper (for easy cleanup)
– Tongs
– Paper towels (for draining)
Step-by-Step Guide to Cooking Thick Bacon in the Oven
1. Preheat Your Oven
Set your oven to 400°F (200°C). This temperature is ideal for rendering fat slowly and crisping thick bacon without burning it.
2. Prepare Your Baking Sheet
Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil, allowing some overhang on all sides to catch drips. Then, place a sheet of parchment paper on top of the foil. This setup makes cleanup fast and easy and helps prevent sticking.
3. Arrange the Bacon
Lay the thick bacon slices in a single layer on the parchment paper. Make sure the slices don’t overlap to allow even cooking and crispiness. You can fit about 12 slices on a standard baking sheet.
4. Bake the Bacon
Place the baking sheet on the middle rack of the oven. Bake for about 18 to 22 minutes for thick-cut bacon. Keep an eye on it after 18 minutes, as ovens vary and bacon can go from perfectly crispy to burnt quickly.
If your oven runs hot, you can lower the temperature to 375°F and extend the cooking time to 23-25 minutes for thick bacon.
5. Drain and Serve
Once the bacon reaches your preferred crispiness, carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven. Use tongs to transfer the bacon slices to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess grease.
Tips for Perfect Oven-Baked Thick Bacon
– Don’t overcrowd the pan: Give each slice room to cook evenly.
– Use a wire rack (optional): Placing bacon on a wire rack over the baking sheet allows fat to drip away and air to circulate, resulting in extra crispiness. However, cooking directly on parchment also works well.
– Rotate the pan: If your oven heats unevenly, rotate the baking sheet halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.
– Save the bacon fat: Pour the rendered fat through a fine mesh sieve lined with paper towels into a jar. Refrigerate it for cooking eggs, vegetables, or other dishes later.
– Adjust cooking time for thickness: Thicker bacon needs a few extra minutes; thinner slices cook faster.
– Add spices (optional): Before baking, sprinkle bacon with black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, or cayenne for a flavor boost.
What About Starting Bacon in a Cold Oven?
Some cooks recommend placing bacon on the baking sheet and then putting it in a cold oven, setting the temperature to 400°F, and letting it cook as the oven heats. This method helps render fat slowly and can improve texture, especially with thick cuts.
How to Store and Reheat Oven-Baked Bacon
Cooked bacon is best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, place bacon on a baking sheet and warm in a 350°F oven for 5–10 minutes until heated through and crispy again.
Oven-baking thick bacon is a simple, mess-free way to get perfectly crispy, evenly cooked strips every time. With minimal effort and easy cleanup, it’s a must-try method for bacon lovers. Enjoy your delicious bacon with less fuss and more flavor!