Learn how to cook bacon in the oven so it turns out crisp, evenly cooked, and less messy than stovetop bacon. There’s no need to flip the bacon or use a wire rack—just arrange it on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake until it’s done to your liking. This is my favorite hands-off method for cooking a whole pack of bacon for breakfast, brunch, meal prep, or a crowd.
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Oven-Baked Bacon Video
Bacon is always a favorite at our house, and it disappears fast with all the “sampling” before breakfast hits the table. Baking bacon is my favorite hands-off way to cook a big batch.
How Long to Cook Bacon in the Oven
Bake bacon at 400°F on a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet until it reaches your desired crispness. Start checking a few minutes early since bacon thickness and brand can affect the timing.
- Regular-cut bacon: 15-20 minutes
- Thick-cut bacon: 20-30 minutes
- Extra-crispy bacon: add a few minutes and watch closely at the end.
Here’s Why You’ll Love This Method
- Less mess: No stovetop splatter, and parchment makes cleanup easier.
- No flipping: Arrange the bacon and let the oven do the work.
- Great for a crowd: Cook a full package on one sheet pan, or use two pans for a bigger batch.
What Kind of Bacon Should I Use?
Any sliced bacon will work for this oven method, but the type you buy will affect the flavor, texture, and bake time. Here’s what to look for:
- Regular-cut bacon: Cooks faster and gets crisp more quickly.
- Thick-cut bacon: Takes longer but has a meatier bite and is great for breakfast plates.
- Center-cut bacon: Usually has less fatty ends and can cook a little more evenly.
- Look at the slices: look for a good balance of meat and fat for even browning.
How to Cook Bacon in the Oven
- Preheat the oven to 400˚F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment. Use a heavy-duty baking sheet that won’t warp in the oven so the rendered bacon fat stays safely contained.
- Arrange the bacon slices in a single layer. They can be touching but not overlapping, or they will stick together and cook unevenly.
- Bake the bacon until it reaches your desired crispness (see the timing chart below). Start checking a few minutes early since bacon can quickly go from crisp to overdone.
- Drain and Serve. Transfer bacon from the baking sheet to a paper-towel-lined plate. It will crisp up slightly as it cools.
Bacon Grease Pro Tip
Don’t toss the bacon grease if you want to use it for cooking. Let it cool slightly, then carefully pour it through a fine mesh strainer into a heat-safe jar. Refrigerate and use a spoonful to cook Hash Browns, or Roasted Brussels Sprouts. Never pour bacon grease down the sink.
Can I use a rack?
Yes, but you don’t need one. We prefer baking bacon directly on parchment because it cooks in its own rendered fat and crisps beautifully. Bacon can also stick to a rack, which makes cleanup harder.
Do I need to flip bacon in the oven?
No. The bacon cooks evenly without flipping, which is one of the best reasons to bake it.
How much bacon fits on a baking sheet?
A half sheet pan usually fits about 12 ounces of regular-cut bacon or 16 ounces of thick-cut bacon. Arrange slices in a single layer, touching but not overlapping. If you’re doubling the recipe, bake on 2 separate baking sheets.
Small Batch Tip
For just a few slices, I love making Air Fryer Bacon because it cooks quickly and gets crisp. For a whole pack of bacon, the oven is easier.
Oven-baked bacon is our favorite way to cook a big batch for breakfast. Serve it with Scrambled Eggs, avocado, pancakes, or tuck it into your favorite sandwiches and salads.
How to Cook Bacon in the Oven
Ingredients
- 12 oz regular sliced bacon, or 16 oz thick-sliced bacon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400˚F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
- Arrange slices so they are touching but not overlapping.
- Bake regular cut bacon for 15-20 minutes or thick-cut bacon for 20-30 minutes. Timing varies depending on the fat content in the bacon and your desired crispiness. If baking 2 baking sheets at a time, rotate the baking sheets halfway.
- Use tongs to remove bacon from the baking sheet and transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate and serve.
Notes
- To Refrigerate: Let the bacon drain on paper towels and cool completely. Store in an airtight container or zip-top bag in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days.
- To Reheat: Re-crisp bacon in a skillet, oven, or air fryer. I don’t recommend microwaving because it can turn chewy.
- To Freeze: For longer storage, freeze cooked bacon between layers of parchment paper in a freezer-safe bag. Reheat from frozen in the oven or air fryer until hot and crisp.
Nutrition Per Serving
Filed Under
Ways to Use Bacon
Once you know how to bake bacon in the oven, you’ll want to use it in everything. Try it in these favorite recipes:
- BLT Sandwich
- Eggs Benedict
- Deviled Eggs with Bacon
- Cheese Ball with Bacon
- BLT Pasta Salad
- Avocado Chicken Salad
- Zuppa Toscana
- Baked Potatoes
- Greek Cobb Salad
You can teach an old dog new tricks! I’m 68 years old and would never have thought of cooking bacon in an oven with no rack. Which we all hate cleaning those racks. So a huge thank you. Best tip I’ve had in a long time. Perfect crispy bacon (how we like it), and so easy to do. Thank you Natasha
You’re very welcome, Kathy! I’m glad it was helpful
What a terrific How To for making bacon. I always preferred cooking bacon in the oven, but hated cleaning that wire rack. You have solved everything about the perfect bacon. Easy, quick, turns out crispy and flat (no curls), and no wire rack to clean. Can’t thank you enough.
You’re very welcome, Kathy! I’m so glad this was both delicious recipe and a helpful tip – especially if that means less time spent cleaning the oven!
My hesitancy always of it in the oven is the splatters! Does that happen or doesn’t it
Hi Lynda! It can happen- to prevent this you can place a piece of parchment paper on top of the bacon, or use a pan that has a lifted edge to help catch some of it.
Yes Natasha, I agree! I use this method as well. I don’t bake quite as long, but it turns out good and crunchy.
Thanks for the burnt bacon. 20-28 minutes at 400F is insane. Wasted some good local thick cut bacon.
Hi there! Sorry to hear your bacon was burned. I have this note in thr recipe: “Bake regular cut bacon for 15-20 minutes or thick-cut bacon for 20-28 minutes. Timing varies depending on the fat content in the bacon and your desired crispiness.”
Also- did you use a convection/fan oven? This recipe is written for a conventional oven on regular bake mode.
No more messy cook top! Love the bacon this way.
It’s so simple, we love it! Glad you think so too.
I ordered your book, love it!! I first seen you on Facebook, I wish so much I could have you as an app. On my phone, it would be so convenient for me to use, instead of going into website. Thank you for your Life story in your book, and Thank you to your wonderful parents bringing you to the States!! Bless, you all!! Kim
Hi Kim! Thank you so much for purchasing my cookbook, that means a lot to me. I appreciate your love and support.
Very good recipe – I love it, going to make it again.
The baking sheet is clean (aluminum foil works great), the bacon was crispy. Quick and easy.
I also bought a book and I’m not sorry about it 😊
Thank you Natasha.
I’ve been doing bacon this way for years, and I agree there’s no better way. I first learned about it from my wife who would bring home the most delicious bacon from the food service at the mental hospital where she works. She finally asked them about it, and they told her they bake it on big baking sheets. Everything you said about it, including bacon choice, is spot on. I’ve always used foil in the pan, but I may try parchment to see if I like it better (I never thought about it before seeing this). I wrap leftover bacon in foil for the fridge because I think it may stay more crispy that way. Anyway, I can’t imagine anybody going back to a frying pan once they try this!
Hi Gary! I’m so glad it works out well for you. We prefer this method too’
This is my go to bacon recipe, it turns out perfect every time! So easy and delicious!
I’m so glad you’re loving the recipe!