This crispy oven bacon recipe is my favorite way to cook a lot of bacon all at a single time. If you’re a bacon lover, this is the absolute best way to make perfect crispy bacon without standing over a frying pan or dealing with a huge mess.
My mom always spent at least one morning every weekend standing over a skillet frying a lot of bacon at once. That way, we just had to reheat it when adding to other recipes or adding it to salads.
Once I tried the oven method, it’s the only way I cook bacon. Great way to feed a crowd a hearty big breakfast. It frees me up to make French toast, pancakes, eggs and other delicious goodies. Sometimes, we just want leftover bacon prepped and ready for the week.
Using the oven method gives you less mess, easy cleanup, and consistently golden brown bacon slices with the best results. It’s a truly hands-off way to cook bacon, and once you try it, you may never go back.
Why Oven-Baked Bacon Is a Better Way
Cooking bacon in the oven allows the bacon to cook cooks evenly because every slice is laid out in a single layer. There’s no splattering grease, no constant flipping, and no need to keep a close eye on a hot skillet.
In a recent Food & Wine test kitchen experiment, seven common cooking methods were compared, including frying, grill pan, air frying, cold skillet, and oven baking. Back in 2019, The Kitchn tested eight different methods.
The results? While each technique “technically worked,” the oven method was the clear winner for producing evenly crisp, well-rendered bacon with minimal hands-on time and the ability to cook up to 10 slices at once with consistent results.
Why We Love This Recipe
There’s no shortage of ways to cook bacon, from skillet to air fryer to microwave. But when it comes to perfect crispy bacon with easy cleanup and the best results, the oven method stands above the rest.
Here’s what makes this recipe a favorite:
- You can cook a large batch of bacon all at once. No flipping and no splatter.
- It’s easy to get the bacon to cook evenly and crisp up beautifully. Just lay the bacon slices in a single layer on a large rimmed baking sheet with a wire rack. Let the oven to the rest of the work.
- Whether you’re using thick-cut bacon, regular cuts, or even turkey bacon, the oven-baked bacon comes out reliably delicious. Just adjust your baking time.
- Cleanup is a breeze when you line your pan with foil or parchment paper. Just toss and go.
- It’s easy to add a sweet savory flavor. Just brush on maple syrup or sprinkle on some brown sugar during the last five minutes of baking.
For bacon lovers who want flavor, texture, and ease, this recipe hits all the marks.
Crispy Oven Bacon Recipe (No Splatter, Perfect Every Time)
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Kitchen Essentials
Ingredients
- 16 Ounces Bacon 1 package of bacon (or as much as you need; works with thick-cut, regular, or turkey bacon)
- ¼ Cup Maple Syrup or brown sugar (optional).
Instructions
- Line a large rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil or a sheet of parchment paper if preferred.
- For crispier bacon, place a wire rack on top of the pan. This allows the bacon fat and bacon grease to drip away, helping the bacon cook evenly.
- Lay the bacon slices flat in a single layer, making sure the slices of bacon don’t overlap. This step is key for perfect bacon. You can fit a lot of bacon on a large sheet pan or tray of bacon, especially when using a rack. Usually about 10 slices.16 Ounces Bacon
- Start in a Cold Oven. Place the sheet pan of bacon into a cold oven and then set the temperature to 400°F. Starting cold helps the fat render slowly, giving you extra flavor and better texture.
- Bake on the center oven rack for 15–20 minutes, depending on the thickness of bacon and how crispy you like it. Chewy bacon: Check around 15 minutes. Perfect crispy bacon: 18–20 minutes. Add a few extra minutes for extra crispy bacon. Keep a close eye near the end of the baking time, as bacon can go from perfect to overdone quickly.
- If you want a sweet and savory flavor. Add a brush of maple syrup or sprinkle of brown sugar the last five minutes.¼ Cup Maple Syrup
- Transfer the cooked bacon to a lined with a layer of paper towels to absorb excess grease. Let cool slightly to reach room temperature before serving.
Your Own Private Notes
Notes
How Much Bacon Per Person?
A good rule of thumb is:- 2–3 slices of bacon per person for a typical breakfast
- 3–4 slices per person for a big breakfast or brunch
- 1–2 slices per person when bacon is a side or ingredient
- 1 standard package of bacon (12–16 oz) usually contains 12–16 slices
- That feeds 4–6 people at breakfast
- For thick-cut bacon, plan on closer to 3 slices per person, as it’s heartier and more filling
- 8–10 people → plan on 2 packages of bacon
- 12–15 people → plan on 3–4 packages
Cooking Different Kinds of Bacon in the Oven
Not all bacon is the same, and understanding how different kinds of bacon behave in the oven helps you get perfect bacon every time. The beauty of this oven-baked bacon method is how adaptable it is. Small tweaks give you consistently great results no matter what’s on the tray.Thick-Cut Bacon
Thick-cut bacon or thick cut bacon has more meat and a higher fat content, which means it takes longer to cook but delivers incredible flavor.- Expect a longer cook time, usually closer to 18–22 minutes
- Start in a cold oven to allow the fat to render slowly
- Use a wire rack or baking rack for crispier bacon
- Great choice for a big breakfast or serving a bacon lover
Regular-Cut Bacon
This is the most common type of bacon and the most forgiving.- Typically cooks in 15–20 minutes
- Works well directly on a foil-lined baking sheet or sheet of parchment paper
- Easy to control for chewy bacon or crisp, depending on baking time
Turkey Bacon
Turkey bacon has much less fat than pork bacon, which means it cooks faster and doesn’t render grease the same way.- Use a baking rack so heat circulates evenly
- Watch closely. Turkey bacon can go from done to overcooked quickly
- Expect different results: less grease, lighter crisp, but still delicious
Flavored or Sweet Bacon (Maple, Pepper, etc.)
Bacon with added flavors like maple syrup or brown sugar can burn faster due to the sugar content.- Line the pan with foil for easier cleanup
- Check a few minutes early and add extra minutes only if needed
- Keep a close eye near the end of baking
Ends, Pieces, and Bacon Bits
If you’re cooking pieces of bacon or trimming slices into chunks for bacon bits:- Spread evenly in a single layer
- Stir once halfway through
- Drain on a paper-towel-lined plate
- Always arrange bacon in a single layer
- Adjust baking time based on the thickness of bacon
- Remove bacon when it reaches a rich golden brown, as it will crisp a bit more while cooling
Nutrition
Cooking Different Kinds of Bacon (Quick Reference Table)
This table makes it easy to get great results no matter which type of bacon you’re cooking. Cooking times are approximate and may vary by bacon brand, fat content, and thickness of bacon.
| Type of Bacon | Best Setup | Oven Temp | Approx. Cook Time | Results & Tips |
| Thick-Cut Bacon | Wire rack on foil-lined baking sheet | 400°F | 18–22 minutes | Meaty and flavorful |
| Regular-Cut Bacon | Foil or parchment-lined sheet | 400°F | 15–20 minutes | Most consistent, easy to control chewy vs crisp |
| Thin-Cut Bacon | Direct on pan or rack | 400°F | 12–16 minutes | Watch closely to avoid overcooking |
| Turkey Bacon | Wire rack preferred | 400°F | 12–15 minutes | Less grease, lighter crisp, cooks fast |
| Maple or Sweet Bacon | Foil-lined baking sheet | 400°F | 14–18 minutes | Sugar browns quickly—check early |
| Bacon Pieces / Bacon Bits | Single layer on pan | 400°F | 10–15 minutes | Stir once halfway, drain on paper towels |
Tip. If you’re cooking a large batch or lot of bacon, rotate pans halfway through for the most even browning.
Common Bacon Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
Even an easy recipe like oven bacon can go sideways if a few key steps are missed. Here’s how to make sure your cooked bacon turns out just right every time.
Overlapping Bacon Slices
When bacon overlaps, it steams instead of crisps. Always arrange slices of bacon in a single layer so the bacon cooks evenly.
Fix: Use a large rimmed baking sheet or multiple pans if needed.
Skipping the Cold Oven Start
Putting bacon into a hot oven can cause uneven cooking and curled edges.
Fix: Start with a cold oven so the bacon fat renders slowly for better texture and flavor.
Not Watching Closely at the End
Bacon can go from golden brown to overdone quickly, especially thin or sweet varieties.
Fix: Keep a close eye during the last few minutes and remove when it’s just shy of perfect. It crisps more as it cools.
Not Using a Rack When You Want Crispier Bacon
Cooking directly on the pan traps bacon in its grease.
Fix: Use a wire rack, cooling rack, or baking rack to let excess bacon grease drip away for crispier bacon.
Improper Storage of Leftover Bacon
Warm bacon sealed too soon can turn soggy.
Fix: Let bacon reach room temperature, then store in a zip-top bag or container with excess air removed.
Expecting All Bacon to Cook the Same
Different types of bacon give different results.
Fix: Adjust baking time based on thickness, sugar content, and fat level. Especially for thick-cut bacon or turkey bacon.
Save the Bacon Grease!
Don’t toss that liquid gold. Carefully pour the warm bacon grease or bacon fat into a heat-safe jar with a high smoke point rating.
Once cooled, store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Bacon grease is wonderful for:
- Frying eggs
- Roasting vegetables
- Adding flavor to cornbread or potatoes
That flavorful grease is useful and long-lasting. How long does bacon grease last?
How to Render Bacon Fat Skillet and Oven Methods
Variations & Tips
- Maple syrup. Brush lightly on bacon during the last few minutes for a sweet-savory twist
- Turkey bacon. Expect different results. It cooks faster and has less fat
- Air fryer. Great for small amounts, but not ideal for a lot of bacon
- Frying pan. Works, but creates splatter and requires constant attention
For me, the oven remains the absolute best way.
Storing Leftover Bacon
Let bacon cool to room temperature, then store leftover bacon in:
- A zip-top bag (press out excess air)
- Or an airtight container
Refrigerate for up to 4–5 days.
How to Reheat Bacon (So It Stays Crispy)
Got leftover bacon and want it just as tasty the next time? Here’s how to reheat it without turning it chewy:
Oven or Toaster Oven Reheat (Best for Crispiness)
Preheat your oven to about 350°F. Place bacon in a single layer on a foil-lined baking pan or cooling rack. Warm for 5–8 minutes until heated through and crisp again.
Skillet Reheat (Quick Option)
Warm a skillet over low heat. Add bacon in a single layer and heat a minute or two per side just until warm and crisp.
Microwave (Fastest, Slightly Softer)
Place bacon between paper towels on a plate. Microwave in 15–20 second bursts until warm.
Perfect for salad toppings, sandwiches, egg scrambles, or casseroles.
Once you try this easy recipe, you’ll see why it’s our favorite method to cook bacon at home.
Oven-baked bacon is the best way to enjoy crispy, flavorful bacon with minimal effort.
This method delivers perfectly cooked slices every time, with less mess and easy cleanup. It’s ideal for big breakfasts, meal prep, or cooking a large batch at once.
A great hands-off way to make bacon the whole family loves.
References
Food & Wine Test Kitchen. Best Way to Cook Bacon Tested.
The Kitchn. Perfect Bacon in the Oven.
This has been my go to for a few years now.