Learn how to bake bacon in just a few simple steps! Oven-baked bacon is so easy since there’s no need to flip it, and you don’t need a wire rack. Using a baking sheet allows you to make a big batch for a crowd, and it’s hands-free so you can work on the rest of your breakfast menu while the bacon sizzles in the oven. 

Stripped cooked after learning how to bake bacon

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Easy Baked Bacon Recipe

Bacon is at the top of our family’s favorite foods list and half of the bacon is eaten before it ever gets to the table with all the ‘sampling’ going on. That’s why I love to bake bacon in the oven because it’s a great way to get our breakfast on the table.

Bacon makes everything better! For example, we love bacon in Baked Potatoes, Cobb Salad, Omelettes, Burgers, Zuppa Toscana, Tortilla Breakfast Wrap, and Grilled Cheese. If you are a bacon lover this oven-baked bacon recipe is a must-try, and it’s also perfect for regular or thick-sliced bacon.

Here’s Why You’ll Love Oven-Baked Bacon

  • Stays flat – unlike stovetop methods, the bacon will stay relatively flat without curling in the oven.
  • Less Mess – you won’t mess up your stove with oil splatter, and what’s more, if you cut your parchment paper to size, you probably can just toss your parchment paper and don’t have to wash your baking sheet either. 
  • Convenient -You don’t need to flip or babysit the bacon, so you are free to multi-task
  • Big Batch – perfect for cooking bacon for a crowd

Baked Bacon Video

Watch Natasha bake bacon in the oven and stay tuned until the end to see how you can use those pan drippings. You will be surprised at how easy this is, so go forth and bake some bacon.

How to Buy the Best Bacon

There are so many options and types of bacon, it can be overwhelming! Any package of bacon will work in the oven, but you can pick better-quality bacon for saltiness, flavor, and texture. Here’s what to look for:

  • Ingredients – bacon should have a simple list of ingredients.
  • Center-cut – has 25-30% less fat at the ends
  • Consider the cut thick-cut bacon has a different texture and cooking time than the regular cut, so see our notes on how long to bake bacon depending on the cut you’ve purchased
Strips of oven-baked bacon cooked to perfection

How to Bake Bacon in the Oven

  1. Preheat the oven to 400˚F. Line a heavy-duty rimmed baking sheet with parchment. 
  2. Arrange bacon slices so they are touching but not overlapping.
  3. Bake regular cut bacon for 15-20 minutes and thick-cut bacon for 20-30 minutes, or to your desired crispiness
  4. Transfer bacon from the baking sheet to a paper-towel-lined plate and serve. 

Pro Tip: Keep the rendered pork fat (especially if you have high-quality bacon). Use it for making Hash Browns or Roasted Brussels Sprouts. Let the bacon grease cool for 10 minutes then pour it into a container and refrigerate until ready to use. 

draining fat and grease from a baking sheet

Common Questions

Can I use a rack?

A rack is not necessary and we prefer not to use a rack. Bacon can stick to a rack even if it’s non-stick and it doesn’t brown and crisp as well since it isn’t cooking in its own fat. You’ll have prettier bacon without a rack. 

Can I line it with foil? 

We prefer using parchment paper, but you can use foil if that is what you have on hand.

Can I double the recipe?

You can double the amount of bacon and bake 2 baking sheets at a time on 2 separate racks, just be sure to rotate the baking sheets halfway for even baking.

Can I make this in the Air Fryer?

Absolutely! We have a tutorial for Air Fryer Bacon and it’s faster, but you will have to air fry in smaller batches.

How much bacon fits on a baking sheet? 

A half sheet will fit 12 ounces of thin-sliced bacon or 16 ounces of thick-sliced bacon. Make sure you don’t overlap your bacon slices or they will stick together. They can be touching, but not overlapping.

slices of baked bacon on a baking tray

Pro Tip:

Use a heavy-duty baking sheet that won’t warp in the oven. These are extra-thick aluminum pans and the types used in a commercial kitchen. 

Make-Ahead

IF you have anything left over after you bake bacon in the oven, leftovers will keep well for several days. If only a few strips remain, crumble and use to top soups or salads like our BLT Salad.

  • To Refrigerate: Let bacon drain on paper towels then cool completely to room temperature. Transfer to a zip-top bag, remove excess air, and refrigerate for 4-5 days.
  • To Reheat: You can re-crisp bacon on a skillet, in the oven, or air fryer. I don’t recommend reheating in the microwave because it gets chewy and rubbery.
how to drain meat grease using a paper towel

Oven-baked bacon is the most efficient way to cook up a bigger batch of bacon. We love this method for a lazy Saturday morning, paired with our fluffy Scrambled Eggs and sliced avocado for the perfect breakfast.

Recipes with Bacon

Now that you know how to bake bacon in the oven, let me know your favorite things to serve with it in the comments. These are our favorite ways to serve crispy baked bacon.

Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

Oven Baked Bacon Recipe

5 from 22 votes
Author: Natasha Kravchuk
crispy bacon strips on a paper towel
Oven baked bacon is easy and convenient. You don’t need a wire rack and you don’t need to flip them. It’s our favorite method because it’s effortless, and mess-free. You can also bake a big batch of bacon for a crowd, even baking 2 baking sheets at a time.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 6 people
  • 12 oz regular sliced bacon, or 16 oz thick-sliced bacon

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400˚F. Line a half sheet rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Arrange slices so they are touching but not overlapping.
  • 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. 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.

Nutrition Per Serving

236kcal Calories1g Carbs7g Protein23g Fat8g Saturated Fat4g Polyunsaturated Fat10g Monounsaturated Fat1g Trans Fat37mg Cholesterol375mg Sodium112mg Potassium21IU Vitamin A3mg Calcium1mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Oven Baked Bacon Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
236
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
23
g
35
%
Saturated Fat
 
8
g
50
%
Trans Fat
 
1
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
4
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
10
g
Cholesterol
 
37
mg
12
%
Sodium
 
375
mg
16
%
Potassium
 
112
mg
3
%
Carbohydrates
 
1
g
0
%
Protein
 
7
g
14
%
Vitamin A
 
21
IU
0
%
Calcium
 
3
mg
0
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: baked bacon, how to cook bacon in the oven
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $
Calories: 236

Natasha Kravchuk

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.

Read more posts by Natasha

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Faye
    March 27, 2024

    Love, all your recipes and you are an amazing teacher and have a lovely personality, I have learnt so much from you and have been following you for many years Thank you Natasha for all your hard work and your amazing recipes they are all delicious

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      March 27, 2024

      You’re so very welcome, Faye!

      Reply

  • Richard A Porter III
    March 27, 2024

    I do this but start with a cold oven, and flip at 20 minutes bake for a bit more, 5 or so for thin, 10 for thick. Does make a mess in the oven, yet, bacon is always cook right.

    Reply

  • Melinda C
    March 27, 2024

    Hi Natasha
    I made this bacon in the oven and it turned out “Fabulous” You are a Genius:)
    I also received your cookbook for my birthday this month (March) and I could
    not put it down until I read it from cover to cover:) This is the Best Gift I have ever
    gotten. Now I’m going to start cooking!!!! You did GOOD:) You’ll Always Be My Number One:)
    Thank You So Much

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      March 27, 2024

      Thank you so much for sharing, Melinda!

      Reply

  • Shari H
    March 27, 2024

    The easiest way to make bacon!! I will never make it on the stove again, this is a game changer!

    Reply

  • Sha
    March 27, 2024

    This is such a hit! My new go-to bacon recipe. It is so easy and convenient!

    Reply

  • Mel
    March 26, 2024

    Oven baked bacon is a new favorite at our house! This was so yummy and such a simple clean up!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      March 26, 2024

      That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review!

      Reply

  • Teri Santos
    March 26, 2024

    I have cooking my bacon like this for years. So much easier and less messy and like you said, ‘hands free’ to do other things.
    Thanks for sharIng.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      March 26, 2024

      It really is the best way to make it!

      Reply

  • Megan
    March 26, 2024

    Whipped up a batch for the family and it’s a hit! Very easy and delicious! The bacon cooks to the right crispiness!

    Reply

  • Bryan
    September 28, 2023

    Uncured bacon still contains celery powder which is the exact same thing as sodium nitrate. And it is a myth that sodium nitrate is harmful other than when you burn it. Just like it’s a myth that bacon causes high cholesterol, etc. Bacon is basically a super food and very delicious!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      September 28, 2023

      Thank you for sharing that, Bryan!

      Reply

  • Judy
    March 17, 2023

    Have seen on internet to dust back slices in flour first. Makes very crisp bacon. Tried it…great

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      March 17, 2023

      Thank you for sharing, Judy! 🙂

      Reply

  • Amada
    March 9, 2023

    Natasha, I love bacon, but suffer from high BP which sodium is an issue & also on blood thinners. Is there an alternative to bacon? Thanks, and love your recipes…..

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      March 9, 2023

      Hi Amanda, I haven’t tried any substitutes to advise.

      Reply

    • Bryan
      September 28, 2023

      Amada, salt + high blood pressure is a myth. What you want to do is eat more of this stuff and eat less of the food that is very low nutrient foods like bread, pasta, high carb foods. Remember, your doctor wants you to come back, he wants you on BP medication, that’s how he makes a good living. Salt is very important part of our diets, it’s an electrolyte. #EatMoreBacon

      Reply

  • Miss Karla
    January 22, 2023

    THANK YOU!! My husband said this is the only way we are going to make bacon from now on…all I need to say! : )

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      January 22, 2023

      That’s wonderful! 🙂

      Reply

  • cindy
    October 31, 2022

    which bacon brand do you use?
    i am interested in making this but would like to know which brand you used. it looks really good.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      October 31, 2022

      Hi Cindy! I don’t use a specific brand, just uncured (bacon without sodium nitrate added to it).

      Reply

  • Jackie Scott
    July 20, 2022

    I’m apologize, I forgot my five star rating for the oven bacon!
    Have a wonderful day❤️

    Reply

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