How to Cook Bacon in the Oven
707 Comments
Updated Jan 16, 2025
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Cooking bacon in the oven creates perfectly crispy, delicious bacon. It’s also super easy, creates less mess than cooking it on the stovetop and allows you to multitask in the kitchen. If you’ve never baked bacon, give it a try!
So what do you serve your bacon with? Well, everything! Including my poached eggs, soft and hard boiled eggs and fried eggs. And you can’t forget my paleo pancakes (and dipping bacon in that maple syrup—yum!).
Cooking Bacon in the Oven
When it comes to the most perfectly crispy, evenly cooked bacon you really can’t beat cooking bacon in the oven. But it’s amazing how many people have never tried it. It seems the stovetop reigns supreme.
Today I’ll share with you why you should change your habits and cook bacon in the oven. And trust me, once you cook bacon in the oven, you’ll never cook it on the stovetop again!
Cooking bacon on the stove creates splatters all over your stove top and produces hot spots on the pan. This means certain pieces of bacon may cook faster than others. And it’s why you might have some bacon slices that accidentally charcoal a bit too much while other slices are still undercooked.
Cooking bacon in the oven cooks all of your bacon slices evenly as the heat surrounds them. They slowly sizzle, don’t splatter and end up evenly cooked. It’s a beautiful thing.
How to Cook Bacon in the Oven
It’s incredibly easy! Though it always helps to watch a quick video tutorial. Watch the video below!
Oven Baked Bacon – In 5 Steps
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees fahrenheit.
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Lay the bacon slices on the baking sheet.
- Cook the bacon for 10 to 20 minutes or until it’s as crispy as you’d like.
- Remove the bacon from the oven and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
Benefits of Cooking Bacon in the Oven
- First, you can cook for a crowd (and sometimes that crowd is just your immediate family). This is key for the holidays or when lots of people descend on your house. It’s also HUGE for helping you keep your sanity in the kitchen with the masses.
- Second, cooking bacon in the oven is way cleaner than cooking bacon on the stove. I’m notorious for getting splatters all over the stovetop because I probably cook my bacon a bit too hot. But when you cook bacon in the oven you don’t get any splatters because the bacon just sizzles until it’s perfectly crispy (or done to your liking).
- Lastly, cooking bacon in the oven allows you to multitask in the kitchen. Because once you toss that sheet pan of glorious bacon in the oven, you’re free for about 15 minutes to whip up some eggs or make a batch of pancakes or waffles.
A Few More Tips
- Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper (or don’t line it at all – but that’s messy). With parchment paper it’s as simple as tearing off a piece, placing the bacon on top and cooking.
- Should you place the bacon on a cooling rack to cook? I don’t think so. I tried it and the difference is negligible. But then I had to clean a cooling rack (and those buggers are hard to clean).
- 400°F works well for both regular and thick cut bacon. Heat your oven and cook the bacon for 10 to 20 minutes or until it’s reached your desired level of crispiness. I do rotate the pan halfway through, just to ensure even cooking, but that’s it. And remember that your bacon will continue to crisp up once it dries.
What to do with Bacon Grease? Save it!
If you purchase organic bacon, as I do, definitely consider rendering and saving the bacon grease. Not only does bacon grease impart a richness of flavor into braised meats and other dishes, it has a high smoke point which means it’s far more stable to cook with.
Here’s how to render bacon grease:
- Once you’ve cooked your bacon, remove the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate.
- Line a fine mesh sieve with another paper towel (you could also use a nut milk bag or cheesecloth) and pour the hot bacon grease over the sieve and into a glass jar.
- Note: it’s important to use glass and not plastic, as you’ll melt plastic with hot bacon grease.
You can see in the photo above that I had some previous bacon fat already in my glass jar that’s opaque and lighter in color. When I have a new batch of bacon, I just pour this straight on top then cover the jar and refrigerate it.
So what do I use my rendered bacon grease for? Oh, just about everything. It’s what I fry my eggs in and how I sear pretty much any meat. It’s also great for sautéed or roasted vegetables to add depth and flavor.
Tasty Recipes with Crispy Bacon
- Bacon Deviled Eggs
- Cobb Salad
- Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro, Lime and Bacon Slaw
- Broccoli Salad
- BLT Salad with Avocado and Sprouts
- Baked Eggs in Avocado
How to Cook Bacon in the Oven (Easy & Crispy)
Description
Video
Ingredients
- 8 bacon slices
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking tray with parchment paper, then place the bacon side-by-side on the tray.
- Cook the bacon for 10 to 20 minutes or until it's reached your desired level of crispiness. Make sure to check on it after about 10 minutes, as some ovens cook faster. Remove the tray from the oven and transfer the bacon with tongs to a paper towel-lined plate.
- If you're rendering the bacon fat, line a fine mesh sieve with a paper towel. Then place the sieve over a glass storage container and pour the bacon fat from the sheet tray into the sieve. Cover the glass storage container and place it in the refrigerator for future cooking needs.
Lisa’s Tips
- If you don’t have a heavy-duty baking sheet I recommend purchasing some. They never warp or bend in the oven!
- Please note that all ovens cook slightly differently. It’s best to keep an eye on the bacon past the 10-minute mark so you can ensure it’s cooked to your personal preference. If you scroll through the comments you’ll see some people have raw bacon at 15 minutes and some have burnt bacon at 15 minutes. After years of comments on this recipe, I’ve widened the cooking time to 10 to 20 minutes, as all ovens do bake differently.
Nutrition
©Downshiftology. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
Recipe originally published December 2016, but updated with new photos and information.
Best way to cook bacon I have ever done in 59 years makes the best BLT
Worked wonderfully ! I’m sold on this method! No more washing down the entire stove and backsplash. Also contains the more of the cooking odor. All for cleaner air whenever you can!
Thank you!
Yes, once you make bacon this way, it’s hard to go back. ;)
what happens to the bacon grease? we don’t reuse it
Hi, just wanted to comment on pouring hot fat into a glass jar. My mother actually had an experience with this where she was doing exactly this thing and it wasn’t tempered glass the glass smashed and she had hot liquid fat pour all down her legs and she was burned. Please always specify to use tempered glass, or just let people know they can move things into metal containers as this will be safer in the long run
Parchment is the way to go. I put the bacon in before the oven was hot and it took less than 10 minutes. I don’t recommend throwing out the bacon grease, there are so many things you can do with it. I keep it on the freezer. There are times I use it instead of butter to infuse a bacon flavor
Going to cook my bacon in the oven for the first time tonight. That said, unless you’re actually ‘baking’ (think cake/bread), preheating the oven is a myth. Your protein/oven bake/etc will cook just fine w/o preheating your oven
Not quite true. Some ovens heat differently. They can come to temp slowly or blast heat to get there. Important to know which kind you have before putting in food without preheating.
So glad I found this recipe, it’s the only way I make bacon anymore. Today I baked 5 lbs of bacon for an event, it was thick cut and took around 20 minutes, 6 trays in all, came out perfect once again, and so much less mess.
Hi Louise – Amazing! The perks of cooking bacon in the oven is that you can do a lot at once!
Always cook bacon this way, less mess. I save the grease , but I don’t strain it. All the little bits add flavor to another dish. Especially good to season cabbage, beans, squash, etc.
Hi I just want to add that the reason to strain out the bits is so that it doesnt go rancid quickly. I strain my grease and keep it in a jar in the cabinet at room temp and it easily lasts a year or longer. Hard to say bc Ive actually asked several family members who all store it the same way and all have said they have never had it go bad, even if they didnt use it or add to it for 6+ months. No way it would last long and still taste good with actual meat still in there
Can I reheat the bacon if it is cooked the night before?
Hi Kay – Yes, you can!
Thank you for posting this recipe! So easy, no splattering mess, super simple clean up. It’s the only way I’ll cook bacon from now on.
Hi Stephanie – Happy to hear this bacon method worked like a charm.
Great information. You’ve given me the confidence to try this. Thank you!
I wish I had known this method when my four children were babies. Thank you for sharing
Glad you discovered it now and can use it all the time!
I have been doing this for years with a slighty different method in that I use my broiler pan with nonstick foil. Putting the broiler pan top on keeps the grease totally out of the oven, the air can escape, the slices stay nice and flat, and I just take out the grease, save it, and do a second cook if needed for the rest of the package. No need to turn at all. They brown evenly on both sides. I always do entire package at once; why do multiple cleanups? If close to “use by” date, I put cooked slices in the freezer and reheat in microwave or toaster oven. Can’t tell the difference from fresh cooked.
Hi Sandy – What a great idea as well!
Real nice & the bacon was great to !!
Hi Jim – Happy to hear this method worked out great!
Game changer! Bacon tastes great no mess and less stress watching bacon
Thanks, Vic!
I have always fried my bacon either in a pan or on my Blackstone Griddle. When I tried her method of putting the bacon in the oven, the taste was so much better.
I’m glad you enjoyed this method, Tyler!
Has anyone ever used a metal rack in the tray
I have and itcwas terrible to clean
I like to put mine on a wire rack, which I think makes it crispier. This recipe took the bacon over 25 minutes to cook. I checked it at 15 (and flipped it) and at 20, it still looked pale. I cooked it another 7 minutes. Then it was perfect.
Perhaps it’s because of the wire rack or the difference of my oven. Either way it was delicious!
Sooooo much easier than messy frying pans or microwave! I love this option. Thank you for my new and very improved way of making bacon!
Hi Laura – I couldn’t agree more!
I heard of another way to ensure your bacon does not burn. And set your oven as the same temperature as described in this recipe but put your bacon in right away and by the time your come to temperature your bacon should be done or almost done. It renters the fat slower so it’s less likely to burn.
Thanks for sharing Barbara!
I bake it on foil. When it’s done and you remove the bacon, it leaves an outline, like a police chalk line. I let it cool for a few minutes and then carefully with a spoon scrape that stuff off. Then pour that and the grease into a jar. I think the brown bits give the grease more flavor. As it cools stir it up so the bits aren’t all at the bottom
This worked great I did at 14 mins checked didn’t look ready added added 4 more perfect. Crispy will try 16 mins next time my husband likes it not so crispy ..
thank you
Hi Lori – Glad this method worked out perfectly for you!
Bacon brands and cuts and other things influence baking time for bacon. After 10-11 minutes you just need to pull up a chair and patiently wait til it looks right to you.
There are a few things when cooking that you just cannot walk away from, and this is one.
Love this method of cooking bacon. We cook an entire package at once, then freeze the slices on a sheet of parchment paper on a baking sheet. Once the slices have frozen, we transfer them to a plastic zip bag. They stay separated in a the bag in the freezer. Reheat as many slices as you need in the microwave for a few seconds.
Great tip for freezing!
I have cooked bacon in the oven for several years and for all the reasons you mentioned.
Only thing I do differently is cook at 350 degrees for a longer time.
Hi Ann – It’s a staple method!
Wish i didnt have to read a life story to get the directions.
Hi Kyle – There is a jump to recipe button at the top if you’d like to go straight to the recipe card.
Lay a second sheet of parchment on top. Zero splatter.
This is such a GREAT way to cook bacon — especially if you hope to cook A LOT to use in multiple recipes.
Hi Julie – Absolutely! Glad this method worked out great for you.
It came out PERFECT! I didn’t have parchment paper so I used foil- still perfect!
Awesome, happy to hear it!
I have always cooked bacon in skillet on top of the stove and I have the grease popping scars to prove it. I tried the microwave once and my husband called that ‘fakin bacon’. I truly love this oven method and will never do it any other way. I love how the bacon cooks so evenly, not to mention no black smoke and no more grease spatter scars. Thanks so much!!!
Hi Lynn – This method is truly the best!
Fantastic! I have hated having the splashes (and subsequent smoke alarm going off) from stove top.
I was greedy so cooked a lot in one batch, which worked well, then did the remainder (only 3) on the next batch. That batch burned. LOL
I cooked the first batch for 10, then rotated the pan, and another 10. They were very crispy with some burnt pieces so probably less time the next time. Though as the comments from Lisa say, ovens vary so the time will as well.
Thank you!
Hi Melissa – This really is the best way to cook bacon!!
Great way to cook bacon. My new oven is really hot and only takes 10 minutes to cook a sheet full of bacon. I have fibromyalgia and in evening standing and cooking bacon is hard for me. This was perfect solution for perfect crisp bacon
Hi Joy – Glad you found a new winning method to cook bacon!
Thank you for your easy and amazing recipe. It is appreciated. It makes my life a lot easier in the kitchen.
Cooking bacon in the oven is magic!
This recipe turned out very well, but did set off my smoke alarm for the whole apartment. The smoke point of bacon fats are around 325-375, so it seems best to use a lower temperature if living with others.
Best bacon ever! Wish I knew about cooking bacon in the oven years ago. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Josie – This is the only method you need! Thanks for leaving a review.
I tried making bacon this way and it was everything Lisa said. I have made bacon on top of the stove and in the microwave. The beats them hands down ! I will never make bacon any other way, but in the oven! Thank you Lisa
Hi Michael – Glad you discovered your new favorite way to cook bacon!
Great idea, but to get as crispy as you show I needed to cook mine for 35 minutes, not sure if it’s the elevation I’m at 4700 feet. But It does take longer where I’m at in Idaho.
Hi Dirck – It could be the elevation or that you need to turn you oven to a higher temperature as all ovens can heat differently!
Can I use aluminum foil in place of parchment paper
Yes, no problem.
Perfecto!!! I’ll never fry again! Out with the bacon press! This was much eaiser, one pound on the baking sheet lined with parchment and almost no mess!
Thanks!
I had to turn mine over, the top was perfect the bottom was still raw. In the end it turned out perfect. Didn’t get much acon grease like I usually do , the parchment paper soaked it up. That was the only disappointment.
I had a few slices left. What is the best way to reheat without making it tough?
I usually just reheat in the microwave for 5 to 10 seconds or so.
Have you baked the bacon in a convection oven? If so, could you skip turning the pan? Would you set the temperature lower?
Hi Susan – yes to both of those questions. :)
Perfect on Christmas morning! Thank you! Question: when cooking for a crowd can you make 20 pieces on 2 baking sheets at the same time?
Yes, you sure can! Though you may need to cook the bacon a little bit longer. Merry Christmas!
I will be cooking bacon this way forever. No mess easy there will be a lot more bacon cooking in my house.
It’s great! So simple much cleaner way.
It really is. Glad you enjoyed it, Larry!
I don’t cook it on 400 degrees like you said. I turned the oven to 375. It took so long. I will do it the right way for now on. So much easier and bacon was great
Happy you enjoyed the bacon, Colleen!
Quick and easy!
I also cook bacon in the oven on a sheet of tinfoil. I will “crumple” the tinfoil to make small pockets so the bacon fat will drain into these small spaces. Voila!
Great idea, Laura!
Well, just putting the bacon in the oven. I’ll get back about the cook but so far I’m loving it!
Do report back, Sheila!
I used thick cut bacon when I tried this technique so after 18 minutes then I removed the bacon and put it in a frying pan to crisp it up a bit more
Glad your bacon turned out great!
Never will pan fry bacon again. Easy cleanup and delicious crispy bacon
I agree! ;)
For my oven, I had to turn the temperature up to 425 after 12 minutes, but was the most perfectly cooked bacon. No flabby unevenly cooked bacon anymore. Thanks so much for sharing!
Every oven cooks a bit differently. So, I’m glad you found what works for you, Cindy!
So I found that thick cut took me almost 35 mins flipping every 10 mins … still so much faster and easier to cook up a whole bunch of bacon at once!
This was great Thank you
Hi Lisa, since I saw this on your webside i never did crispy Bacon in a sauce pan again. It is much easier that way. Thanks for this recipy!
This really is the best way to cook bacon. I’m happy you enjoyed it, Anne!