How to Bake Bacon in the Oven

You’ll always get the BEST and CRISPIEST results once you know How to Bake Bacon in the Oven! This foolproof method uses a wire rack for even baking and foil for quick and easy cleanup. Both pork and turkey bacon will turn out perfect every time!

Best Bacon in the Oven

Cooking bacon in a skillet on the stove is an acquired skill that requires A LOT of patience. Oftentimes, if you look away for even a few minutes it can go from being perfectly crisp and delicious to a burnt mess unworthy of even becoming crumbled bacon pieces.

While a very select few have the special touch to tenderly care for bacon strips in a cast-iron skillet, there is a way for those of us lacking such skills to redeem ourselves… by baking bacon in the oven!

This method is PERFECT for whipping up big batches for the bacon lovers in your family. It’s so much easier than the stove top, and you can use any type of bacon.

No more hot skillet…way less mess…Win-win!

(If you’re dying to know the stove top method, this post on How to Cook Bacon has you covered. And if you want another way, check out how to make Air Fryer Bacon or even Microwave Bacon!)

Ingredients

The only ingredient you need for this recipe:

• Bacon. The first step to making the best bacon is choosing the right kind at the grocery store. The butcher counter has the absolute BEST quality and flavor. Nitrate-free and pre-packaged is another good option. Also, look on the side of the package and check for marbling. The more meat you see, the less fatty the bacon will be, and the better it will come out!

How to Cook Bacon in the Oven

Below you’ll find the steps to cook bacon in the oven:

Prepare the Pan

First, preheat the oven to 400°F.

Then, line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil. The rim on the sheet pan helps to trap any extra grease from hitting the bottom of your oven and causing a smokey mess. And, the aluminum foil will allow you to have an extremely easy clean-up!

Fit a wire rack on top on the baking sheet. This helps to circulate air underneath the bacon and allows excess fat to drip into the baking sheet resulting in an ultra crispy texture.

Arrange the Bacon

Place bacon slices on a wire rack in a single layer, being careful not to overlap. 

Optional: In 3-4 spots lift up your bacon slightly off of the wire rack to create “rolls” in the strips. This will create a more natural appearance.

Bake in Oven

Cook the bacon in a preheated 400°F oven for 15-25 minutes, or until your desired level of crispiness is reached. The cook time will vary based on the thickness of your bacon.

Place 4-5 paper towels onto a large plate. Use tongs to transfer 3 strips to the paper towel-lined plate and pat them with additional paper towels.

Repeat this process until all of the oven-cooked bacon have been patted dry.

If you desire, you can drain the leftover bacon grease into a glass jar for easy disposal or to save for later.

Meal Prep and Storage

• To Store: Keep the cooked bacon in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-5 days. 
• To Freeze: Store in a freezer-safe airtight container for up to 3 months. 
• To Reheat: Place in an oven or air fryer set to 350°F for 4-5 minutes or until heated through. You can also microwave it on a paper towel lined plate for 20 second intervals, though your bacon won’t be as crispy.

Do you flip bacon when cooking it in the oven?

You don’t need to flip bacon when you cook it in the oven as long as you place it on a wire rack, which allows air to circulate. If a wire rack is not used then it should be flipped halfway through.  

What is the best way to cook bacon in the oven?

The absolute best way to cook bacon in the oven is for about 20 minutes at 400°F, and to use a wire rack. This ensures a perfectly crispy and evenly cooked piece of bacon.

Is it better to cook bacon at 350°F or 400°F?

For the most part, 400°F is better for cooking perfect bacon in the oven. If you have thick-cut bacon slices, 350°F will work, as well. The oven temperature is your personal preference as the lower temperature will increase the cooking time.

Expert Tips and Tricks

• Check the side. Look at the marbling on the bacon for plenty of pink meat versus white fat.
• Avoid a smoky mess. A rimmed baking sheet will contain all of the grease and prevent spills.
• Make extra crispy bacon. Arrange bacon in a single layer on a wire rack so the hot air can circulate around the entire slice.
• Easy cleanup. Line the baking sheet with foil so you don’t have to clean all the fat off of the pan. 
• Some like it hot. 400°F is the best temperature for cooking bacon in the oven.

Recipes with Bacon

Here are just a few ways to incorporate bacon into delicious recipes.

Add it to veggie dishes, like Creamy Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Broccoli Bacon Salad with Cranberries, or Loaded Hasselback Potatoes.

Or, make it part of the main dish with Spaghetti Squash Carbonara or on a juicy Air Fryer Hamburger.

Of course, it’s delicious at breakfast with Savory Waffles.