How Long to Cook Thick Sliced Bacon in the Oven for Perfect Results

As any bacon lover knows, perfectly cooked bacon is crispy, browned, and full of savory, smoky flavor While frying bacon in a skillet works, baking it in the oven is an easier, splatter-free option. However, nailing the oven bacon cooking time can be tricky, especially for thick sliced bacon Undercook it and your bacon will be flabby and limp. Overcook it and you’ll end up with a burnt, dried out mess.

So how long does it take to cook thick cut bacon in the oven to crispy, fatty perfection? Let’s break down the best practices for oven-baked bacon.

First what counts as thick sliced bacon? Typically bacon labeled as “thick cut” ranges from about 1/8 to 1⁄4 inch thick per slice. This is thicker than regular sliced bacon, which is around 1/16 inch thin. Some artisanal bacons can be up to 1⁄2 inch thick per slice – now that’s thick cut!

The thickness affects cooking time Thin sliced bacon will crisp up faster in the hot oven than thick slices For reference, regular sliced bacon takes about 8-12 minutes in a 400°F oven. For ideal results, thick sliced bacon needs more time.

Here are a few tips specific to cooking thick cut bacon in the oven:

• Use a rack – This elevates the bacon from the pan and allows air flow for even cooking.

• Line pan with foil – Catches drips and makes cleanup easy.

• Bake at 400°F – The high heat crisps up the fat cap.

• Flip halfway – Gets even cooking and color on both sides.

• Watch it closely – Thick bacon goes from perfect to burnt quickly.

How Long to Cook Thick Cut Bacon in the Oven

Cooking times can vary a bit based on the thickness, but in general thick sliced bacon takes 15-22 minutes at 400°F in the oven.

Here are some timing guidelines based on approximate thicknesses:

• 1/8 inch thick – 15-18 minutes
• 1/4 inch thick – 18-20 minutes
• 1/2 inch thick – 20-22 minutes

As you can see, the thicker the cut, the longer the bacon needs in the oven.

Always keep an eye on it as it cooks. Different brands and batches can cook faster or slower. You want browned bacon, but not blackened.

Step-by-Step Guide to Oven-Baked Thick Cut Bacon

Follow these simple steps for crispy, evenly cooked thick sliced bacon from your oven.

Ingredients

• Thick sliced bacon
• Aluminum foil
• Wire cooling rack (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.

2. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Place a wire rack on sheet or directly on foil.

3. Arrange thick sliced bacon strips in a single layer on the rack. Make sure slices aren’t overlapping.

4. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove pan and carefully flip bacon slices.

5. Return to oven and bake for another 5-7 minutes, until deep golden brown.

6. Use tongs to transfer bacon to a paper towel lined plate to drain.

7. Enjoy your crispy oven-baked bacon!

The key is removing the pan midway to flip the bacon. This exposes both sides directly to the hot oven air and prevents curling.

If you like your bacon a bit chewier, reduce oven time by 2-3 minutes. For extra crispy bacon, let it go an extra 1-2 minutes. Adjust to your preferences.

Oven Bacon Tips and Tricks

• For less greasy bacon, place slices on a rack. The raised rack allows fat to drip off.

• Add a sprinkling of brown sugar before baking for candied bacon flavor.

• Crumble cooked bacon on salads, baked potatoes, pastas, and casseroles.

• Make bacon bits for topping soups and greens by baking bits and pieces until crispy.

• Bake a whole batch on the weekend and store cooled bacon in a zip top bag in the fridge.

• Microwave 20-30 seconds to reheat leftover bacon before serving.

• Use bacon fat drippings to cook eggs, greens, or roasted veggies.

• Bake thicker bacon cuts 3-5 minutes longer for fully cooked results.

• If baking multiple pans, switch racks and rotate pans midway for even cooking.

Common Thick Cut Bacon Baking Issues

Even when you follow all the rules, oven bacon can sometimes go astray. Here are some fixes for the most common thick bacon baking problems.

Bacon Won’t Get Crispy

• Increase oven temp to 425°F.
• Bake a minute or two longer.
• Use thinner bacon slices next time.
• Make sure slices are spread out, not overlapping.

Bacon is Burnt

• Reduce temperature to 375°F.
• Cook 1-2 minutes less than package directs.
• Watch it closely near the end of baking time.

Bacon Curls

• Use a rack to elevate bacon off pan.
• Make sure bacon isn’t overlapping in pan.
• Gently press strips flat on rack before baking.

Bacon is Dry or Hard

• Don’t overbake! Remove at just lightly browned.
• Add a splash of water to the baking pan.

Bacon Sticks to Foil

• Spray foil lightly with nonstick spray before adding bacon.
• Let bacon cool completely before removing.

Perfect Thick Cut Bacon Every Time

Crisp, candy-like oven baked bacon makes any meal better. Understanding how long thick sliced bacon needs to bake prevents undercooked or burnt results. For 1⁄4 inch think bacon, target 18-20 minutes in a 400°F oven, flipping halfway through. Adjust time based on your specific bacon thickness, oven variances, and texture preferences. In no time, you’ll be a thick cut bacon baking pro!