Bacon in the Oven

Crispy Bacon in the Oven is SO easy, leaves no mess, and is perfectly crisp every time. Once you try oven-baked you’ll never go back!

Did you know cooking Bacon in the Oven is the easiest way to do it? There are no grease splatters, easy cleanup, and it cooks perfectly even and crispy! Enjoy this crispy bacon with Scrambled Eggs, Breakfast Potatoes, and Orange Juice Smoothies.

Cooking Bacon in the Oven on a sheet pan.

Oven Baked Bacon

Can we all agree that bacon is the best?! It’s one of our favorite breakfast sides.

When I first learned how to make bacon in the oven, my mind almost exploded. OF COURSE! It is so obvious! Why would you do it any other way?? It’s the easiest, quickest, and cleanest way to cook bacon.

Cooking bacon on the stove is SO messy. The oils get everywhere – on the counters, on the floor, and on you! Skip this all together by baking the Bacon in the Oven.

Cooking this Oven Bacon recipe also frees up space on the stove. This is great when you’re cooking a big breakfast and need room to make pancakes, eggs, sausage, etc. Just put it in the oven, set the timer, and forget about it until it’s done cooking.

How to Cook Bacon in the Oven, laying the strips on a baking sheet.

How to Cook Bacon in the Oven

PREP. Preheat the oven to 400°F.

Line a rimmed baking sheet with tin foil (optional, but allows for easy cleanup), and lay out the desired number of bacon slices.

BAKE. Bake in the oven for 18-20 minutes or until it’s cooked to your level of crispiness. It will cook perfectly on both sides, no need to flip it!

Alternative oven temperatures:

  • 375°F for 20 minutes
  • 425°F for 15 minutes
  • 450°F for 12 minutes.

Air fryer bacon

Air fryer bacon is another way to keep a splatter-free kitchen, though these will not be big batches.

Set the air fryer to 350°F. For regular-cut bacon, fry for 7-9 minutes. For thick-cut bacon, fry for 9-12 minutes.

Bacon Cooking Tips

Thick or thin. Depending on the cut, the cook time may need to be adjusted. Keep an eye on it every few minutes toward the end.

Easy cleanup. Line the pan with aluminum foil, let the oil cool and toss the foil. Then wash the pan with soap and water to get rid of any lingering oils.

Splattering oil. Sometimes a thicker cut will produce more grease and splatter. Place the pan in the lower third of the oven, and put a sheet of foil under the bacon.

If it is still splattering, lay a sheet of foil on top, but remove it for the last 5 minutes of cooking so the bacon can get perfectly crispy.

Draining. Place cooked bacon on wire racks or a paper towel-lined plate or sheet pan and allow the extra grease to drip off. 

Large batches. Overlapping the strips of bacon can cause the bacon not to crisp up as well, a single layer works best.

  • To cook a large batch of bacon overlap the strips just a little. Use tongs to flip the strips during the bake time to ensure all sides are cooked and crispy.

Flavor. This recipe is tailored to pork bacon and may not work when using other types. We love to use hickory smoked or applewood pork bacon. 

  • Add extra flavor to the bacon by seasoning the slices before they go into the oven. Some good bacon flavors are black pepper, sriracha, honey, maple syrup, garlic, chili powder, and brown sugar.

Serving suggestions. Try pairing Bacon in the Oven with Scrambled Eggs, Hash Browns, and an Orange Juice Smoothie or your favorite breakfast options!

Storing Info

STORE uncooked bacon. An unopened package of uncooked bacon can last in the fridge for 2 weeks or in the freezer for 8 months. If the package has been opened the storage time shortens to 5-7 days in the fridge and up to 6 months in the freezer. 

STORE cooked bacon. Leftover Oven Bacon can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days or in the freezer for 4-6 months. Reheat in the oven or air fryer to keep them crispy.

The cooked bacon can be used to add flavor to almost any dish!

Oven Baked Bacon cooked on a sheet pan.

 For recipes that use cooked bacon:

Bacon in the Oven Recipe

5 from 13 votes
Crispy Bacon in the Oven is SO easy, leaves no mess, and is perfectly crisp every time. Once you try oven-baked you'll never go back!
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Total Time 23 minutes
Servings 16
Calories 118 kcal
Author Lil’ Luna

Ingredients

  • 1 lb bacon (or as much bacon as you like)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F.
  • Line a rimmed baking sheet with tin foil (optional, but allows for easy cleanup), and lay out as many bacon slices as you want on the sheet.
  • Bake in the oven for 18-20 minutes or until it's cooked to your liking. It will cook perfectly on both sides, no need to flip it!

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About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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Comments:

  1. 5 stars
    I love cooking bacon in the oven!! With just 2 of us in the home, I hated messing up the stove for just a few slices of bacon. Now, I cook a whole pack in the oven until slightly underdone, and then freeze it in a zipper bag. Now, when the bacon cravings hit one of use, we just remove a few slices from the freezer and reheat in the microwave or in the dish we’re preparing. So very convenient!

  2. 5 stars
    I Literally never thought to make my bacon in the oven until I saw a post about it on IG. Hello busy mom this is amazing! We have been hAvIng brinner (breaKfast for dinner)haha and making our bacon in the oven is so easy!

  3. 5 stars
    Bacon is the most sought after breakfast item in our home. Putting it in the oven is the eAsiEst way to cook this up. It turns out just right for us.

  4. 5 stars
    Why have I not done this sooner!? This was so much easier & the bacon came out perfectly!! I will be doing this from now on!

  5. 5 stars
    I love bacon. My husband lovEs bAcon. My kids love bacon. i do Not lovE smelling like bacon. Cooking in thE oven provides us with the bacon we love without the lingering smell. Thanks for sharing!

  6. Love cooking in oven. But I always pour off my bacon grease into a foil lined dish that I keep in the fridge. I use it to cook chicken, Sautee veggies, fry an egg.

  7. This may be silly, but every time i try to cook my bacon in the oven my house fills up with smoke. What am i doinG wrong?

    1. I use the foil to catch the grease & for easy clean up. You don’t have to line the rack with foil.

    1. Yes, I love how clean this method is for cooking bacon. I can’t go back! Glad you enjoyed the recipe.

  8. 5 stars
    You’re correct. It’s easy, delicious, no mess. I line my pan with foil. When it’s done and the grease is cooled, I wad it up being careful not to spill it, and toss it out. Wonderful way to make your house smell good!

    1. Yes! I love that the clean up is so easy too. And you gotta love the smell of bacon, right? 😉

  9. 5 stars
    i ve cooked my bacon in the oven for years now i have everyone i know doing it that way too love it

  10. I cook bacon like this all the time as well. I saw were someone said she places a piece of parchment paper on the top of the bacon, and there is no grease splatter in the oven. I will definitely be trying that next time I cook bacon.

  11. oh bacon whats not to love. i did happen to watch a guy coat bacon slices with flour then fry,he says it came out awesome.i have not tried this,has anyone?