Bacon is a breakfast staple loved by many for its savory, smoky flavor. However, with its high fat and calorie content, it’s a food that health-conscious eaters often try to avoid. Fortunately, there’s a way to enjoy crispy, delicious bacon without all the extra calories – bake it in the oven!
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down the calorie count of oven-baked bacon versus pan fried bacon You’ll learn why baking is the healthier cooking method, get step-by-step instructions for baking bacon to crispy perfection, and discover some mouthwatering recipe ideas to enjoy oven-baked bacon Let’s dive in!
How Many Calories Are in Oven Baked Bacon Slices?
When looking at calorie counts, oven baked bacon is the clear winner over pan fried According to the USDA, a single slice of pan fried bacon (81g) contains about 77 calories. Oven baked bacon has significantly less – just 44 calories per slice.
That’s a difference of 33 less calories per slice when you bake instead of fry! Over the course of several pieces of bacon, those calorie savings really add up. Making the switch to oven baked bacon is an easy way to enjoy the flavor without all the extra grease and calories.
To achieve these calorie counts when baking, preheat your oven to 400°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Place a cooling rack on top and arrange raw bacon slices in a single layer on the rack. Bake for 10-15 minutes until crisp. The fat will drip down onto the foil, keeping your bacon lean and healthy.
Why Is Oven Baked Bacon Healthier?
There are three main reasons why oven baked bacon is the healthier choice:
1. Less Fat
Frying bacon in a pan allows the fat to saturate the meat as it cooks. Oven baking positions the bacon on a rack suspended over a pan, allowing excess fat to drip down and away from the meat. This results in bacon that’s crispy, not greasy.
2. Fewer Calories
With less fat saturating the meat during cooking, oven baked bacon slices absorb fewer calories overall. Depending on the cooking method and type of bacon, baking can save you 30-50 calories per slice.
3. Lower Sodium
Some of the saltiness in pan fried bacon comes from the meat soaking in grease as it cooks. With oven baking, less sodium is absorbed into each slice, making it better for your heart health.
Baking makes bacon crispy and delicious without needing to soak in all that extra fat and salt during the cooking process. For those watching their weight or sodium intake, it’s by far the healthier choice.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Oven Baked Bacon
Preparing oven baked bacon is simple. Just follow these steps
1. Preheat Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Be sure to fully preheat before cooking.
2. Line Baking Sheet
Cover a rimmed baking sheet completely with foil and place a cooling rack on top. The rack will suspend the bacon above the pan, allowing fat to drip away.
3. Arrange Bacon
Lay raw bacon slices in a single layer on the rack. Make sure slices aren’t overlapping.
4. Bake
Bake for 10-15 minutes. Thinner slices may take less time. Check frequently near the end to avoid burning.
5. Remove and Drain
When the bacon reaches your desired level of crispness, remove it from the oven. Transfer slices to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
6. Enjoy!
Your oven baked bacon is ready to eat! The result is crispy, lean bacon perfection.
Pro tip: Use thick cut bacon slices for the best texture. Thinner bacon may overcook and curl more easily.
Healthy and Delicious Recipe Ideas with Oven Baked Bacon
Crispy, oven-baked bacon isn’t just for breakfast. With its leaner nutrition stats, you can enjoy it guilt-free in all types of dishes. Here are some deliciously healthy recipe ideas:
BLT Salad
Chop up baked bacon slices and scatter over a bed of fresh lettuce and tomatoes for a lighter take on the classic BLT.
Baked Potato Toppers
Crumble your baked bacon over healthy baked potatoes along with reduced-fat cheese, scallions, and a dollop of Greek yogurt.
Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
Roast Brussels sprouts and baked bacon pieces together for a flavorful, nutritious side.
Egg Bake
For a Protein-packed breakfast, make a baked egg casserole with oven-baked bacon pieces mixed in.
Bacon Wrapped Chicken
Wrap chicken breasts or tenders with a slice of baked bacon before baking. The bacon flavor will infuse the lean chicken.
Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
For an easy appetizer, wrap baked bacon slices around fresh asparagus spears and bake until hot and crisp.
With oven baked bacon, you don’t have to restrict your enjoyment of this smoky, savory treat. By choosing the healthier cooking method, you can incorporate crispy bacon into wholesome dishes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and everything in between.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to bake bacon in the oven?
Most bacon slices will be fully cooked and crispy after 10-15 minutes in a 400°F oven. Thinner slices may take less time, while thicker cuts may need a few more minutes. Watch it closely near the end of the recommended baking time.
Can you bake bacon from raw?
Absolutely! There’s no need to pre-cook bacon before baking. Putting raw bacon straight onto the oven rack will result in even crisping and fantastic flavor.
Should bacon be baked on a rack or pan?
Always bake bacon on a wire rack placed over a foil-lined pan. This allows fat to drip down away from the meat for healthier bacon. Baking directly on a pan will cause grease to pool around the bacon.
What kind of pan is best for baking bacon?
A rimmed baking sheet is ideal, as it will catch any grease drippings. Cover the pan completely with foil for easy cleanup, then place a wire cooling rack on top.
How can you make baked bacon extra crispy?
Cook it a minute or two longer, until very browned and brittle. Using thick-cut bacon can also help it get crisper in the oven while staying nice and meaty within.
Enjoy Oven Baked Bacon Guilt-Free
If you love bacon but want to watch your calories and fat intake, oven baking is clearly the way to go. Baking bacon on a rack lets fat drip away, resulting in healthier, leaner, and crisper strips when compared to frying.
With just 10-15 minutes of bake time, you can easily wake up to a platter of perfectly crispy oven-baked bacon slices. Let them shine on their own or incorporate them into creative recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and more. From BLT salads to bacon-wrapped chicken, the possibilities are endless with this versatile ingredient.
So go ahead and enjoy bacon more often and more healthfully. With this complete guide to oven baked bacon calories and cooking, you’ve got all the info and tips you need to make bacon a deliciously lean addition to your diet.