Whether you’re a fan of tender, crisp, or extra crispy bacon, this simple method of cooking bacon in the oven is easy. There’s no stovetop mess, and it frees up your stove for cooking other breakfast items!
There’s something about the smell of bacon in the morning that just feels right! Cooking it in the oven is my go-to method because it’s easy, mess-free, and the results are consistently crisp and delicious. No flipping, no splatter—just a sheet pan, some foil, and your favorite bacon. It’s perfect for everything from BLTs and burgers to baked potatoes, breakfast casseroles, or a simple side with eggs.
Why Oven-Baked Bacon Is a Game-Changer
Whenever I have family or friends spending the night and I have a lot of bacon to cook, I always make bacon in the oven! It’s the best method when you need to cook for a crowd. I like to use center cut bacon because it has less fat and calories than regular bacon. If you’re using thick cut bacon, you will have to adjust the time. Here’s why I love this method:
- No stovetop splatter: Baking the bacon keeps the grease contained, so there’s no mess to wipe off your counters or stovetop.
- Hands-off cooking: Once it’s in the oven, you don’t have to stand over the pan or flip slices—just set a timer and let it go.
- Even crispiness: The bacon cooks more evenly in the oven, so every piece comes out just the way you like it.
- Easy cleanup: Lining the sheet pan with foil or parchment makes cleanup quick and simple.
- Great for batch cooking: This oven method is perfect if you’re cooking for a crowd or meal prepping.
What You’ll Need
Ingredients:
- Bacon: Buy one package of center-cut bacon, which has less fat than regular bacon. If your bacon is thick, add more time.
Tools:
- A large baking sheet or sheet pan
- Aluminum foil or parchment paper
- Oven mitts
- Tongs
- Paper towels
How to Cook Bacon in the Oven
Everyone likes their bacon different. In my house, I like crisp bacon, my kids like it extra crispy, and my husband prefers it tender with crisp edges. So I tested this out three ways to help you achieve your preferred level of doneness. Here’s how to do it:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- Prepare your sheet pan: Line a large rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment for easy cleanup. Arrange the bacon strips in a single layer on the foil. Ensure the strips of bacon don’t overlap so they cook evenly.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the center of the oven.
How long do you cook bacon in the oven at 400F?
- For tender bacon with crisp edges: Bake it for approximately 20 minutes. This timing should render bacon that is fully cooked but still pliant, with just the right amount of crispy bite at the edges. Of course, all ovens cook differently, so you may want to keep an eye on it as it gets closer to 20 minutes.
- For crisp bacon: Extend the cooking time to 22 to 23 minutes. The extra couple of minutes in the oven will render out more fat and leave you with completely crispy bacon, yet not overly so.
- For extra crispy bacon: Bake for 25 to 26 minutes. During this time, the bacon will reach a crispiness ideal for those who love a hearty crunch with each bite.
- Drain and Serve: When the bacon has reached your desired level of doneness, carefully remove the pan from the oven using oven mitts. With tongs, transfer the bacon slices to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess grease.
Ways to Serve Bacon
Enjoy your oven-baked bacon as part of a complete breakfast or brunch spread, on a BLT sandwich, or as a flavor booster crumbled on a salad or wrapped around meat or veggies. Here are some of my favorite ways to use it:
- Breakfast: Serve a few slices of bacon on the side dish with pancakes, waffles, or french toast.
- Eggs: Serve with scrambled eggs, cottage cheese eggs or hard boiled eggs.
- Sandwiches: Use leftover bacon to make a Bacon Egg and Cheese Sandwich on my bagel recipe, or a Turkey Club, or this Bacon Egg Avocado Breakfast Sandwich
- Vegetables: Spaghetti Squash with Bacon and Parmesan
- Soup: Crumble it over soup as garnish like this Cheddar Corn Chowder or Navy Bean, Bacon and Spinach Soup
- Salads: Add to Chopped Wedge Salad, Chopped Salad with Shrimp, Brussels Sprout Salad with Bacon
Storage
Bacon is best eaten straight out of the oven, but if you have leftovers, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat bacon in the microwave, oven, or stove until warm and crispy.
FAQs
The best way to cook bacon is also the easiest. That’s why I love baking it in the oven. It’s hands-off, frees up your stove, and you don’t have to worry about bacon grease splattering everywhere.
You can save excess bacon grease for cooking. Once it’s cooled, store it in a jar in the refrigerator. You would use it just like olive oil or butter to grease your pan and cook vegetables, eggs, and much more. If you don’t want to save it, let it cool and then throw it in the trash. You should never pour bacon grease down the drain.
More Bacon Recipes
How To Make Bacon In the Oven
Equipment
- A large baking sheet or sheet pan
- Aluminum foil
- Oven mitts
- Paper towels
Ingredients
- 12- ounce package center-cut bacon, or bacon of your choice
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400F.
- Prepare your sheet pan: Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil. This will make your clean-up process a breeze. Arrange the bacon slices in a single layer on the foil. Be sure the pieces do not overlap, so they cook evenly.
- For tender bacon with crisp edges, bake for approximately 20 minutes. This timing should render bacon that is fully cooked but still pliant, with just the right amount of crispy bite at the edges. Of course, all ovens cook different so you may want to keep an eye on it as the time gets close.
- For crisp bacon, extend the cooking time to 22-23 minutes. The extra couple of minutes in the oven will render out more fat and leave you with bacon that is completely crispy, yet not overly so.
- For extra crispy bacon, bake for 25-26 minutes. During this time, the bacon will reach a level of crispiness that's ideal for those who love a hearty crunch with each bite.
- Drain and serve: When the bacon has reached your desired level of doneness, carefully remove the pan from the oven using oven mitts. With tongs, transfer the bacon slices to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess grease.
