How to Cook Perfect Crispy Bacon in a Convection Oven

Cooking bacon can be a messy process on the stovetop with all the grease splattering, and flipping each piece by hand takes time The oven is a great alternative, but the convection setting is the ultimate way to make crispy, evenly cooked bacon easily. The circulating hot air cooks the bacon fast on both sides without flipping

As an avid home cook and bacon lover, I’ve tested all the popular cooking methods to find the ideal way to make bacon. While you can certainly pan fry or microwave it, the convection oven is hands down the best technique. This article will explain why and walk through the easy process to cook bacon in the oven.

Benefits of Cooking Bacon in the Convection Oven

There are several key advantages to using the convection setting on your oven

• Cooks faster – The circulating hot air cooks the bacon much quicker than a standard oven.

• Cooks evenly – No need to flip each piece. The forced air flow crisps up both sides.

• Less splatter – Contained in the oven instead of popping on the stovetop.

• Easy cleanup – Just remove the foil or baking sheet after.

• Consistency – Takes the guesswork out of timing compared to the stove.

• Multitask – Put the bacon in the oven while prepping other parts of the meal.

Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these simple steps for perfect bacon from the convection oven every time:

1. Preheat Oven to 400°F

Turn your oven to convection bake mode and preheat it to 400°F.

This high temperature helps the bacon get crispy and brown quicker.

2. Line Pan with Foil

Cover a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil.

The edges catch grease drips. Nonstick foil works best if your bacon sticks.

3. Arrange Bacon on Sheet

Lay bacon strips evenly in a single layer on the foil.

Don’t overcrowd. Leave a little space between each slice.

4. Cook for 15-20 Minutes

Bake until crisped and browned to your liking, about 15-20 minutes.

Thicker cuts take a little longer. Check occasionally to avoid burnt spots.

5. Drain on Paper Towels

Transfer bacon to a plate lined with paper towels.

This absorbs any excess grease for crisper bites.

And that’s it! Let the oven do the work for less time and effort than stovetop cooking.

Tips for Oven Bacon Perfection

Follow these tips and tricks for the best possible results:

• Use thick cut bacon for optimum crispness. Regular sliced works too.

• Start checking bacon around 12-15 minutes. Cook to your preferred level of crispness.

• Try sprinkling brown sugar on bacon before cooking for a sweet touch.

• Bake multiple pans at once. Rotate pans and switch rack positions halfway through.

• Add parchment paper under the foil if your bacon sticks frequently.

• Cook bacon at 350°F oven if cooking other items simultaneously. Just add a few extra minutes.

• No need to preheat oven, but it can take slightly longer if starting fully cold.

• Use tongs and wear an oven mitt to avoid burns when removing hot pan.

• Let pan cool before grabbing edges if foil slumped. Grease is extremely hot initially.

• Cook turkey and veggie bacon slightly less time as they are leaner than pork.

Oven Bacon Mistakes to Avoid

It’s easy to mess up oven bacon if you aren’t careful. Here are some key mistakes to avoid:

• Cooking too long – Burnt or overdone bacon is dry and hard. Start checking early.

• Too much curling – Lay strips evenly spaced to allow for shrinkage as it cooks.

• Uneven cooking – Rotate pans and switch rack positions midway for uniformity.

• Using broil setting – This burns the tops before the bottom cooks fully. Don’t do it.

• No foil or pan edges – Grease will get all over your oven. Contain it with rimmed foil lined pan.

• Microwave instead – This produces uneven, rubbery bacon. Use the oven for far superior texture.

How To Use Leftover Bacon Grease

All that lovely rendered bacon fat shouldn’t go to waste. Save it for cooking:

• Sauteing vegetables like Brussels sprouts or green beans

• Frying or scrambling eggs

• Roasting potatoes or sweet potatoes

• Adding richness and smoky flavor to soups and stews

• Brushing on meats before grilling for extra moisture and taste

• Mixing into cornbread batter for savory flavor

Refrigerate excess grease in an airtight container for later use. It keeps for around 3 months.

More Delicious Ways to Use Bacon

Now that you know how to cook it perfectly in the oven, try these tasty recipe ideas:

Savory Dishes

• BLT sandwiches
• Bacon cheeseburger
• Bacon wrapped meatloaf
• Brussels sprouts and bacon salad
• Potato, bacon and cheddar soup

Breakfast Ideas

• Bacon egg and cheese sandwiches
• Bacon pancakes with maple syrup
• Bacon, egg and avocado breakfast tacos
• Bacon quiche with gruyere and onions
• Candied bacon strips

Appetizers

• Bacon wrapped shrimp
• Bacon wrapped smoked sausage
• Jalapeno bacon poppers
• Bacon artichoke dip
• Bacon and blue cheese stuffed mushrooms

With the right technique, you can enjoy bakery-quality bacon at home whenever you like. Ditch the frying pan, and let your oven produce crispy, evenly cooked bacon for breakfast, lunch, dinner or anytime.