How to Cook Bacon in the Oven (Best Way to Cook Bacon!)

Name: How to Cook Bacon in the Oven (Best Way to Cook Bacon!)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 1 pound of thick-cut bacon

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If you love crispy, evenly cooked bacon but hate the greasy mess of frying in a skillet, I’m with you! Baking bacon is the best way to cook bacon! This simple method takes the hassle out of cooking bacon – no splattering oil, no standing over a hot skillet, and clean-up is a breeze. Whether you’re making breakfast for a crowd or just want to meal prep bacon for the week, knowing how to cook bacon in the oven will quickly become your go-to method.

baked bacon on a baking sheet for the blog post "how to cook bacon in the oven"

How to Bake Bacon

Years ago, my friend Shelly had 4 teen boys at home and when I went for a visit one day, she pulled a bag of frozen, cooked bacon out of the freezer, popped a few strips in the microwave, and seconds later, served hot, crispy bacon with breakfast.

It was delicious and tasted like it had just been fried in a skillet. When I asked how she had already-cooked bacon in the freezer – she told me she baked bacon in large batches, then froze it to have on hand anytime.

I had no idea that was even a thing. So that’s the day Shelly taught me how to cook bacon in the oven – which, by the way, is the best way to cook bacon!! Doing this means I always have a lot of bacon on hand for salads, breakfast, and other recipes that need cooked bacon!

Recipes to Use Baked Bacon:

Why You’ll Love Bacon in the Oven

Hands-off cooking with almost no mess: No splattering on the stovetop, burned hands or fingers, easier cleanup with parchment or foil, and no constant flipping!

Great make-ahead breakfast meat: You can cook a large batch, store it, and re-crisp it when needed. This recipe is perfect for busy mornings, meal prep, or serving a crowd.

Equipment

Rimmed Sheet Pan (learn more about my favorite sheet pans here)
Parchment paper or aluminum foil
Tongs
Paper towels
Oil Filter Pot (optional, but to save and store the bacon grease!)

Ingredients

You only need one ingredient for this “recipe.”

Thick-cut Bacon – Thick-cut bacon is meatier and fattier than regular bacon. The extra thickness means it holds up better during cooking and is more filling.

Note: You can substitute it with center-cut bacon (slightly leaner), uncured bacon, or turkey bacon, though the cooking times will vary.

How to Oven Bake Bacon

For this recipe, I’m sharing how long to bake bacon at 350°F. For other temperatures and tips, check the notes and tips below!

Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. This prevents the bacon from sticking and makes cleanup way easier.
Let the bacon come to room temperature for 10–15 minutes before cooking for more even results. Separate the bacon slices and lay them flat on the lined baking sheet. Arrange them in a single layer without overlapping.
Start with a cold oven. Place the baking sheet with bacon on the middle baking rack before turning the oven on.
Turn the oven to 350°F. Starting with a cold oven helps the bacon cook more evenly by allowing the fat to render slowly.
Bake the bacon until it reaches your desired doneness:
- For softer bacon: 20–25 minutes
- For crispy bacon: 25–30 minutes
For extra-crispy bacon (my preference!): Increase the temperature to 400°F and bake them for 18–22 minutes. Start checking the bacon 5 minutes before the minimum time to prevent them from overcooking. Bacon can go from perfect to burnt pretty quickly.
When the bacon reaches your desired doneness, use tongs to transfer the slices to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess grease.
Optional, but I’d like to encourage you to save the bacon grease!! Pour the rendered bacon fat through a fine-mesh strainer into a clean jar and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 months. You can use it for cooking eggs, potatoes, or vegetables. We store ours in one of these.
Serve and enjoy your perfectly oven-baked thick-cut bacon as a side or in your favorite recipes.

raw thick-cut bacon on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper

baked thick-cut bacon on a baking sheet lined with parchment

Pro Tips

Do not preheat the oven!
Let bacon come to room temperature (set out for at least 10-15 minutes) before cooking for more even cooking.
This recipe is for how to cook thick cut bacon. Thick-cut bacon with a higher fat-to-lean ratio takes longer to cook. Leaner slices or thinner slices will cook faster, so keep an eye on your bacon!
Use the middle oven rack for even heat circulation
Don’t overlap the bacon! Overlapping causes uneven cooking and soggy, undercooked spots.
Start checking 5 minutes early. Bacon can go from perfect to burnt quickly, especially at higher temperatures

How Long to Bake Bacon

As stated above, bake bacon at 350 for 20-30 minutes depending on how done/crispy you like it.
How long to bake bacon at 400°F. For extra-crispy bacon: Increase the temperature to 400°F and bake them for 18–22 minutes. Start checking the bacon 5 minutes before the minimum time to prevent it from overcooking or burning. Bacon can go from perfect to burnt pretty quickly.

Storage & Reheating

Refrigeration: Once the bacon is cooked and cooled, drain it on paper towels, then wrap the cooled bacon in fresh paper towels to absorb any remaining grease. Place them in an airtight container or zip-top bag and store them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Freezing: Place the bacon strips in a single layer, separated by parchment paper, in freezer-safe bags or containers. Remove as much air as possible. Freeze the cooked bacon for up to 1 month.

Reheating (to restore crispness):

Microwave:This is my favorite way to reheat oven-baked bacon!! Place the bacon between paper towels and microwave it in 10-second intervals. Note: This method produces slightly chewier bacon, but it is the fastest and least messy way to reheat it, and the bacon is still crisp.
Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the bacon on a wire rack over a baking sheet and reheat it for 5–8 minutes, checking it frequently.
Skillet: Place it in a skillet over low heat without oil for 1–2 minutes per side, pressing it lightly until it becomes crispy again.
Air fryer: Place the bacon in a single layer and reheat it at 350°F for 2–4 minutes.

FAQ

Do I need to flip the bacon during baking?

No. Flipping is not necessary when using this method. If your oven heats unevenly, you may flip them once halfway through for more uniform browning.

Should I start with a cold oven or a preheated oven to bake bacon?

This recipe uses a cold oven start, which allows the fat to render slowly and reduces curling. You can use a preheated 350°F oven, but reduce the cooking time by 3–5 minutes and watch them carefully to prevent over-browning.

What if my bacon is curling up while cooking?

Some curling is normal, especially with thicker cuts. Starting with a cold oven minimizes this. If curling becomes too much, you can gently press the bacon with tongs or place a clean second baking sheet on top of them for the first 10 minutes of cooking.

Why is my bacon not getting crispy enough?

This usually happens when the bacon hasn’t cooked long enough or the oven temperature is too low. Increase the temperature to 400°F and keep cooking them in 2-minute intervals until they reach your desired crispiness. Also, make sure you’re not overlapping the slices.

Can I cook bacon from frozen?

I do not recommend baking bacon from frozen. Frozen bacon won’t cook evenly. Always thaw your bacon completely in the refrigerator before cooking (this takes 12–24 hours depending on the package size).

How do I know when the bacon is done?

Look for visual cues: the bacon should be golden brown to deep amber, depending on your personal preference.

What should I do with all the rendered fat?

Don’t waste it! Strain the cooled fat through a fine-mesh strainer into a clean jar. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 months. Use it to cook eggs (delish!), roast vegetables, make cornbread or gravy, or anywhere you want that smoky bacon flavor.

How long to bake bacon at 350°F?

Following my recipe, it will take 20-30 minutes.

How do I cook bacon in the oven?

This How to Cook Bacon in the Oven recipe is made by arranging thick-cut bacon on a lined baking sheet, starting in a cold 350°F oven, and baking 20–30 minutes until crispy.

What temp to cook bacon in the oven?

I recommend 350°-400°F depending on how crispy you want your bacon to be.

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