Crispy Oven Bacon Recipe (No Splatter, Perfect Every Time)

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.

Prep Time5

Cook Time15

Total Time20

Course: Breakfast, lunch

Cuisine: American

Keyword: 30 minute meal, breakfast recipe, brunch recipe, cooking tips

Servings: Servings

Calories: 527kcal

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Kitchen Essentials

Half Sheet Pan

Half Sheet Baking Pan

Parchment paper

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.

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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

By the Package

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

For a Crowd

If you’re feeding a group or making bacon ahead of time:

8–10 people → plan on 2 packages of bacon
12–15 people → plan on 3–4 packages

The beauty of the oven-baked bacon method is that you can cook a large batch at once, store leftover bacon, and reheat it easily—so it’s always better to make a little extra.

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

This is the best option if you want crispy bacon with a hearty bite.

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

If you’re cooking a lot of bacon for a crowd, regular-cut gives the most consistent best results across a large batch.

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

Because there’s very little bacon grease, turkey bacon benefits from careful timing and slightly lower expectations for crunch.

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

These are perfect for brunch spreads and special occasions.

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

Perfect for topping soups, baked potatoes, or a cobb salad.

Final Tip for Any Bacon Brand

No matter the bacon brand or style:

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

This flexibility is exactly why the oven remains our favorite method and the absolute best way to cook bacon at home.

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