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Oven baked bacon is the easiest way to cook a big batch with virtually no mess. The strips cook evenly, stay beautifully flat, and crisp up without the splatter you get on the stovetop.
It’s perfect when you’re cooking for a crowd, prepping breakfast ahead, or saving the drippings to flavor vegetables, beans, or cornbread. Once you try baking bacon, it’s hard to go back to the skillet method.
What You’ll Like About This Dish
No mess. Baking keeps grease contained and off your stovetop.
Even cooking. Every slice browns and crisps consistently.
Hands-off method. No flipping or standing over a hot pan.
Great for batches. Make one or two sheet pans at a time.
Ingredient Notes
- Bacon – Any thickness works, though regular-cut crisps a bit faster.
- Foil-lined sheet pan – Makes cleanup easy, especially if using nonstick foil.
- Rack (optional) – Helps fat drip away and keeps the bacon extra crisp.
Steps to Make Oven Baked Bacon
- Preheat the oven and line a rimmed sheet pan with foil.
- Arrange the bacon slices on the pan or on a rack.
- Bake until crisp and golden brown.
- Drain the bacon on paper towels.
- Save the drippings if desired.
Tips
- Use two pans if needed so slices don’t overlap.
- Bake a few minutes longer for thick-cut bacon.
- If using a rack, spray it well so the bacon doesn’t stick.
- Save the drippings for frying eggs, sautéing vegetables, or adding to cornbread.
Recipe Variations
- Maple bacon. Brush slices lightly with maple syrup before baking.
- Peppered bacon. Sprinkle coarsely ground black pepper over the slices.
- Sweet heat. Add a mix of brown sugar and cayenne.
- Smoky glaze. Brush with a little barbecue sauce near the end.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with eggs, pancakes, waffles, or French toast.
- Add to BLTs, breakfast sandwiches, or burgers.
- Crumble over salads, casseroles, or baked potatoes.
- Use the drippings in beans, greens, or skillet potatoes.
How to Store
Refrigerate: Store cooked bacon in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freeze: Suitable for freezing. Arrange cooked slices on a sheet pan, freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bacon reheats well and stays crisp when warmed briefly in a skillet or oven.
If you’re a bacon lover, you might also like this bacon and cheddar crusted chicken or this recipe seared scallops with bacon and spinach.
Oven Baked Bacon
Ingredients
- Cooking spray (optional), if baking without a rack
- 16 ounces bacon
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350°F.
- Line a large rimmed sheet pan—you might need two—with foil and place a cooling rack in the pan. If you don't have a cooling rack, spray the foil lightly with cooking spray.Cooking spray (optional)
- Arrange the bacon in a single layer on the rack (or directly on the foil) and bake for about 25 to 35 minutes, until golden brown and crisp.16 ounces bacon
- Remove the bacon to paper towels to drain.
- Discard the drippings or pour them into a jar or container and refrigerate or freeze.
Nutrition
Disclaimer:
Our nutritional information is based on a third-party application that analyzes the ingredients list to determine the values. The information is meant to be helpful, but should be considered an estimate. Values may differ depending on measurements, brands, serving variations, and database availability.
