Cooking Bacon in the Oven
Surefire way to cook bacon perfectly in the oven.
Servings: 4 people
Equipment
- Rimmed baking sheet
- Aluminum foil or parchment paper
- Optional: wire rack
- tongs
- paper towels
- Plate for draining
Ingredients
- 12 slices bacon or as many as fit in a single layer on your sheet
Instructions
Preheat oven
- Set your oven to 400°F (204°C) and let it fully preheat.
Prep the pan
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup.Optional: Place a wire rack on top for extra-crispy bacon.
Arrange the bacon
- Lay the strips in a single layer, with no overlapping. They can be close, but not touching too much.
Bake
- Cook for 15–20 minutes, depending on thickness and crispness preference.Start checking around the 12–15 minute mark to avoid overcooking.
Drain
- Remove bacon with tongs and place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
Save the fat (optional)
- Let the fat cool slightly, then pour into a heatproof jar to use for cooking later.