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
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: