How to Cook Bacon in an Oven So It's Crispy and Crunchy

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Are you wondering how to cook bacon in an oven so it’s crispy and crunchy? Many people love bacon because of its taste and its texture. Crispy bacon is perfect for breakfast, sandwiches, or simple snacks at home.

There are many ways to cook bacon. You can use a stove, a microwave, an air fryer, or an oven. Each method gives a slightly different result. Cooking bacon in an oven is one of the most classic and easiest ways to get great results every time. It does not need much effort, and you can cook a large amount at once.

In this article, we will talk about how to cook bacon in an oven correctly and some extra helpful tips for you. You can also find some other easy methods to cook bacon and dish ideas to use it. Let's start cooking

Knowing how to cook bacon in an oven is a great skill for any home cook. The oven gives you even heat, less mess, and perfectly crispy strips every time without constant watching.

What you need:

- Bacon strips

- A baking sheet

- Aluminum foil or parchment paper

- Oven

Steps:

1. Set the oven to 200°C (400°F). Let it heat up fully before you put anything inside.

2. Line your baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper to make cleaning much easier later.

3. Place each strip side by side on the baking sheet. Make sure they do not overlap.

4. Place the baking sheet on the middle rack of the oven.

5. Bake for 15–20 minutes. Thinner slices will be ready in about 15 minutes. Thicker slices may need up to 20 minutes.

6. When the bacon looks golden brown and crispy, it is ready.

7. Use tongs to move the bacon onto a plate lined with paper towels. The paper towels will absorb the extra grease.

8. Serve bacon immediately. It tastes best when it is still warm and fresh.

- Start With a Cold Oven for Chewier Bacon: If you prefer softer, chewier bacon instead of crispy, place the tray in the oven before turning it on. The bacon will cook more slowly as the oven heats up.

- Use a Wire Rack on Top of the Baking Sheet: Placing a wire rack on the baking sheet lifts the bacon off the surface. Hot air flows under the strips, making them crispier on both sides without flipping.

- Save the Bacon Fat: After cooking, let the fat in the tray cool down. Pour it into a glass jar and store it in the fridge. You can use it to fry eggs, sauté vegetables, or add flavor to soups.

- Layer With Brown Sugar or Black Pepper Before Baking: Sprinkling a little brown sugar on top before baking gives a sweet, caramelized finish. Black pepper adds a mild spicy kick. Both work well with the salty flavor of bacon.

- Rotate the Tray Halfway Through: Most ovens have hot spots. Turning the tray around at the halfway point helps all the strips cook evenly.

- Pat the Bacon Dry Before Baking: Use a paper towel to lightly pat the raw bacon before placing it on the tray. Removing some moisture helps it crisp up faster in the oven.

Cooking bacon on a stove is quick and easy. It is a great option when you only need a few strips and want them ready in just a few minutes with minimal setup.

1. Place a pan on the stove. Use a heavy pan or cast iron skillet for best results. Do not add oil because bacon has enough fat on its own.

2. Lay the bacon strips flat in a cold pan. Starting cold helps the fat render slowly and evenly.

3. Turn the heat to medium. Do not use high heat, as it can burn the edges before the center is cooked.

4. Use tongs to turn the bacon every 2–3 minutes. This helps both sides cook evenly.

5. Cook for 8–12 minutes. The total time depends on the thickness of the bacon and how crispy you like it.

6. Remove the bacon from the pan and place it on a plate with paper towels to absorb excess grease.

An air fryer cooks bacon fast and with less mess. It circulates hot air around the strips, giving you crispy results similar to oven-baked bacon in a shorter amount of time.

1. Set the air fryer to 180°C (360°F) and let it preheat for 2–3 minutes.

2. Lay the strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not stack them.

3. Cook for 8–10 minutes. Check after 8 minutes. Add more time if you prefer it crispier.

4. At the 4-minute mark, use tongs to flip each strip for even cooking.

5. Remove carefully. The basket and grease will be very hot. Use tongs and handle with care.

6. Place the cooked strips on a paper towel-lined plate before serving.

Microwaving bacon is the fastest method. It works well when you are short on time and only need a small amount of bacon with very little cleanup.

1. Prepare a microwave-safe plate. Line the plate with two to three layers of paper towels.

2. Place strips side by side on the paper towels. Do not overlap them.

3. Cover with another paper towel. This prevents grease from splattering inside the microwave.

4. Microwave on high. Cook for 1 minute per slice. For example, 4 strips will take about 4 minutes.

5. Check and adjust. Every microwave is different. Check after the initial time and add 30 seconds at a time if needed.

6. Let it rest for one minute. The bacon continues to cook slightly after you remove it. Resting helps it crisp up a bit more.

Bacon is a very versatile ingredient. You can add it to many different dishes to give them a smoky, salty flavor. Here are some delicious ideas to inspire your next meal:

- BLT Sandwich: A classic sandwich with bacon, fresh lettuce, and tomato slices layered between toasted bread with mayonnaise.

- Bacon and Egg Breakfast Plate: A simple, filling breakfast with crispy bacon strips served alongside fried or scrambled eggs and toast.

- Bacon-Wrapped Chicken: Juicy chicken breast wrapped tightly in bacon strips and baked until the bacon is crispy and golden on the outside.

- Carbonara Pasta: A creamy Italian pasta dish made with eggs, cheese, black pepper, and crispy bacon pieces tossed together.

- Bacon Cheeseburger: A grilled beef patty topped with melted cheese and crispy bacon, served in a soft burger bun with your favorite toppings.

- Loaded Baked Potato: A soft baked potato topped with sour cream, shredded cheese, green onions, and crumbled bacon pieces.

- Bacon Fried Rice: A quick and savory fried rice dish made with cooked rice, vegetables, eggs, soy sauce, and small pieces of bacon.

- Bacon and Spinach Salad: A fresh salad with spinach leaves, crispy bacon crumbles, cherry tomatoes, and a warm vinaigrette dressing.

- Quiche with Bacon: A baked egg and cream pie with a pastry crust, filled with bacon, cheese, and vegetables like onion or bell pepper.

- Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus: Bundles of fresh asparagus wrapped in strips of bacon and roasted in the oven until tender and caramelized.

- Club Sandwich: A triple-layered sandwich with bacon, turkey or chicken, lettuce, tomato, and mayo served on toasted bread.

- Bacon Mac and Cheese: Creamy macaroni and cheese taken to the next level with crispy bacon pieces mixed in or sprinkled on top.

- Bacon and Bean Soup: A hearty, warming soup made with white beans, vegetables, broth, and smoky bacon for deep flavor.

- Bacon Flatbread Pizza: A thin, crispy flatbread topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and strips of bacon baked until bubbly.

- Bacon Avocado Toast: Toasted bread spread with mashed avocado, seasoned with salt and lemon juice, and topped with crispy bacon strips.