I finally nailed bacon in the oven with a 20-minute, hands-off method that delivers consistent results every time.
I used to think frying was the only way, then I discovered how to cook bacon in the oven and never looked back. Wondering how to cook bacon in the oven?
This bacon oven recipe is fuss free, takes only 20 minutes, and makes the best crispy oven baked bacon every time. I honestly believe it’s the Best Way To Cook Bacon In The Oven, and seeing a tray of cooked bacon come out perfect each time still makes me grin.
Sometimes I drizzle maple syrup on a few slices just to test a sweet twist, and yeah it’s shockingly addictive.
Ingredients
- Bacon is high in protein and fat, it’s salty and crispy when baked.
- Maple syrup adds a sweet glaze and caramelizes, mostly sugar, little nutrition.
- Brown sugar makes a candy like crust, adds molasses notes and sweetness.
- Freshly ground black pepper gives bite and contrast, tiny calories, big punch.
- Smoked paprika gives smoky depth and warmth, a little goes a long way.
Ingredient Quantities
- Bacon, 1 lb (about 450 g) about 10 to 12 slices
- Maple syrup, 2 tablespoons, optional for glazing if you like it sweet
- Brown sugar, 2 tablespoons, optional for a candy style glaze
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste, optional
- Smoked paprika, 1/4 teaspoon, optional adds a nice smoky kick
How to Make this
1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a rimmed baking sheet with foil or parchment for easy cleanup, set a wire rack on the sheet if you want extra crisp bacon.
2. Lay 1 lb bacon (about 10 to 12 slices) in a single layer on the rack or directly on the sheet, do not overlap the slices or they wont cook evenly.
3. In a small bowl stir together 2 tablespoons maple syrup, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika and freshly ground black pepper to taste, this is optional but makes a great glaze.
4. Put the sheet in the oven and bake uncovered about 15 to 20 minutes for regular slices, 20 to 25 minutes for thick cut, rotate the pan halfway through so it cooks evenly.
5. If glazing, brush the maple sugar mixture on the bacon in the last 3 to 5 minutes of cooking so the sugar caramelizes but does not burn.
6. Want extra crisp? Move the rack closer to the top and broil for 30 to 60 seconds at the very end, but watch it the whole time because sugar can go from perfect to burnt fast.
7. When bacon is deeply browned and as crisp as you like, use tongs to transfer slices to a paper towel lined plate to drain and crisp up a bit more.
8. Save the bacon fat from the pan in a jar for later cooking, it’s amazing for frying eggs or veggies.
9. Sprinkle a little more freshly ground black pepper or a pinch of smoked paprika on top if you like, let it sit a minute so the glaze sets.
10. Serve warm, and if you made the glazed candy style let it cool a minute so the sugar firms up, enjoy.
Equipment Needed
1. Oven (preheat to 400°F / 200°C)
2. Rimmed baking sheet lined with foil or parchment for easy cleanup
3. Wire rack that fits the sheet, its optional but helps make the bacon extra crisp
4. Small mixing bowl for the maple brown sugar glaze
5. Measuring spoons (tablespoon set and a 1/4 teaspoon)
6. Pastry brush for brushing on the glaze (or just use a spoon if you dont have one)
7. Tongs for flipping and transferring hot bacon
8. Paper towels and a plate for draining, plus a jar to save the bacon fat for later
FAQ
How To Cook Bacon In The Oven Recipe Substitutions and Variations
How To Cook Bacon In The Oven
Ingredients
- Bacon, 1 lb (about 450 g) about 10 to 12 slices
- Maple syrup, 2 tablespoons, optional for glazing if you like it sweet
- Brown sugar, 2 tablespoons, optional for a candy style glaze
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste, optional
- Smoked paprika, 1/4 teaspoon, optional adds a nice smoky kick
Method
1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil or parchment for easy cleanup. If you want extra crispy bacon use a wire rack on top of the sheet so the fat drips away.
2. Lay the bacon slices in a single layer, not overlapping. If you’re glazing, brush each strip with maple syrup, or sprinkle the brown sugar over the top and press it down lightly so it sticks. Add a little black pepper or smoked paprika now if you like.
3. Bake on the middle rack. For thin bacon check at about 12 minutes, most normal slices take 15 to 20 minutes, thick cut might need 20 to 25 minutes. Rotate the pan once halfway through for even cooking. Keep an eye near the end, sugar glazes can go from perfect to burnt real quick.
4. When it’s done to your liking, remove the pan and use tongs to transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to drain and crisp up a bit. If you used a sugary glaze let it rest on a rack for a minute so it firms up, otherwise it can be messy.
5. Carefully pour off and save the bacon fat if you want, it’s great for frying eggs or roasting veggies. Serve hot. It’ll crisp more as it cools a little, so don’t panic if it seems a touch soft right off the pan.
Quick tips and common hacks
– Use foil under the parchment to make clean up even easier, or just foil alone if you dont have parchment.
– A rack gives crispier results, but bacon on the sheet soaks in its fat and stays chewier which some people prefer.
– If you hate curling try starting with the bacon on a cold sheet and put it in the cold oven, then turn the oven on to 400°F. It helps reduce curling but I dont always bother.
– For glazed bacon dont walk away, the last 2 minutes are critical.
Substitutions
- Bacon: turkey bacon for a leaner option, pancetta or prosciutto for a more intense pork flavor (adjust cook time for thinner slices)
- Maple syrup: honey or agave syrup work well for a sweet glaze, or use a little soy sauce for a savory glaze instead
- Brown sugar: coconut sugar or granulated sugar mixed with a tiny splash of molasses will mimic brown sugar
- Smoked paprika: regular paprika plus a pinch of smoked salt, or chipotle powder for a smokier spicy note
Pro Tips
– Use a wire rack if you can, it keeps the bacon out of the grease so it gets evenly crispy. If you dont have a rack lay it on foil but flip once halfway so the pieces cook the same.
– Warm the maple syrup and brown sugar a bit before brushing, it spreads easier and sticks better. Brush the glaze only in the last few minutes so the sugar caramelizes but doesnt burn, and watch the oven closely because sugar goes from perfect to burnt fast.
– Adjust time for slice thickness, thin bacon finishes quick and thick cuts need extra minutes. For extra crunch move the pan higher and hit it with the broiler for a very short time but stand there the whole time.
– Save and strain the bacon fat into a jar, refrigerate it and use it for frying eggs or veggies later, its way better than butter for flavor. Let glazed bacon rest a minute after coming out so the sugar firms up and it wont be a sticky mess.
How To Cook Bacon In The Oven Recipe
I finally nailed bacon in the oven with a 20-minute, hands-off method that delivers consistent results every time.
10
servings
263
kcal
Equipment: 1. Oven (preheat to 400°F / 200°C)
2. Rimmed baking sheet lined with foil or parchment for easy cleanup
3. Wire rack that fits the sheet, its optional but helps make the bacon extra crisp
4. Small mixing bowl for the maple brown sugar glaze
5. Measuring spoons (tablespoon set and a 1/4 teaspoon)
6. Pastry brush for brushing on the glaze (or just use a spoon if you dont have one)
7. Tongs for flipping and transferring hot bacon
8. Paper towels and a plate for draining, plus a jar to save the bacon fat for later
Ingredients
-
Bacon, 1 lb (about 450 g) about 10 to 12 slices
-
Maple syrup, 2 tablespoons, optional for glazing if you like it sweet
-
Brown sugar, 2 tablespoons, optional for a candy style glaze
-
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste, optional
-
Smoked paprika, 1/4 teaspoon, optional adds a nice smoky kick
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a rimmed baking sheet with foil or parchment for easy cleanup, set a wire rack on the sheet if you want extra crisp bacon.
- Lay 1 lb bacon (about 10 to 12 slices) in a single layer on the rack or directly on the sheet, do not overlap the slices or they wont cook evenly.
- In a small bowl stir together 2 tablespoons maple syrup, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika and freshly ground black pepper to taste, this is optional but makes a great glaze.
- Put the sheet in the oven and bake uncovered about 15 to 20 minutes for regular slices, 20 to 25 minutes for thick cut, rotate the pan halfway through so it cooks evenly.
- If glazing, brush the maple sugar mixture on the bacon in the last 3 to 5 minutes of cooking so the sugar caramelizes but does not burn.
- Want extra crisp? Move the rack closer to the top and broil for 30 to 60 seconds at the very end, but watch it the whole time because sugar can go from perfect to burnt fast.
- When bacon is deeply browned and as crisp as you like, use tongs to transfer slices to a paper towel lined plate to drain and crisp up a bit more.
- Save the bacon fat from the pan in a jar for later cooking, it's amazing for frying eggs or veggies.
- Sprinkle a little more freshly ground black pepper or a pinch of smoked paprika on top if you like, let it sit a minute so the glaze sets.
- Serve warm, and if you made the glazed candy style let it cool a minute so the sugar firms up, enjoy.
Notes
- Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 51g
- Total number of serves: 10
- Calories: 263kcal
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 6.3g
- Trans Fat: 0.18g
- Polyunsaturated: 1.8g
- Monounsaturated: 9g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
- Sodium: 765mg
- Potassium: 212mg
- Carbohydrates: 5.1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 5.1g
- Protein: 16.6g
- Vitamin A: 23IU
- Vitamin C: 0mg
- Calcium: 9mg
- Iron: 0.54mg