The Perfect Way to Cook Crispy Bacon in the Oven on a Cookie Sheet

Bacon is a breakfast staple loved by many. There’s nothing quite like the smell of sizzling bacon in the morning! While cooking bacon in a skillet on the stovetop is the traditional method baking it in the oven has become increasingly popular. Cooking bacon in the oven makes the process easy and hands-off. Simply place the bacon on a cookie sheet pop it in the oven, and 20-30 minutes later you have a batch of perfectly crispy, consistently cooked bacon. Here’s everything you need to know about how to cook bacon in the oven on a cookie sheet for crispy, delicious results every time.

Benefits of Cooking Bacon in the Oven

• More consistent results – Bacon cooks evenly in the oven instead of curling and cooking unevenly like it can in a skillet.
• Less mess – Baking bacon contains the grease on the cookie sheet instead of splattering on your stovetop.
• Easy cleanup – A rimmed cookie sheet contains any grease for easy cleanup. The sheet can simply be wiped out versus scrubbing a greasy skillet.
• Hands-off cooking – Simply place the bacon in the oven and go about your morning while it cooks. No need to constantly watch and flip it.
• Can cook large batches – Multiple sheets of bacon can be cooked at once in the oven.

How to Choose the Right Cookie Sheet

Any rimmed baking sheet or cookie sheet will work for oven-baked bacon. The rim prevents grease from spilling over the edges. Opt for a light-colored sheet – dark pans can overbrown the bacon. Other tips for choosing a sheet:

• Aluminum vs stainless steel – Aluminum conducts heat more efficiently while stainless steel is more durable. Either work well.
• Rimmed – The rim will contain bacon grease and prevent spillovers.
• Size – Choose a sheet that fits the amount of bacon you’re cooking and allows enough space between slices. For 1 pound of bacon, a standard 18×13 inch sheet is sufficient.
• Nonstick – A nonstick surface makes cleanup easy but is not essential. Greasing the pan or lining it with parchment also eases cleanup.

Ingredient Tips

• Bacon – Select high-quality thick-cut bacon for the best results. Thinner bacon tends to overcook and burn more quickly in the oven.
• Parchment paper – Lining the cookie sheet with parchment prevents sticking and makes cleanup easy. The bacon can also be placed directly on the pan.
• Cooling rack – Optional but recommended. Placing a cooling rack atop the cookie sheet allows air flow under the bacon for crispier results.

Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these simple steps for perfectly cooked oven bacon every time.

1. Preheat Oven and Prep Pan

• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Line a rimmed cookie sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease the pan with oil. For crispiest bacon, place a cooling rack on top of the sheet.

2. Arrange Bacon Slices

• Lay bacon slices in a single layer on the prepared pan, making sure not to overlap slices. Overcrowding will cause uneven cooking.
• For 1 pound of bacon, space slices about 1/2 inch apart. Place them perpendicular to the pan’s shorter side so grease can drip off the ends.

3. Cook the Bacon

• Place sheet in preheated 400°F oven.
• Cook for 15-20 minutes until crispy. Thinner bacon may take less time while thick-cut bacon may need 18-25 minutes.
• For chewier bacon, start checking at 12 minutes. For crisper bacon, cook full time.

4. Flip and Finish Cooking

• After initial cooking time, remove pan from oven. Carefully flip bacon slices using tongs.
• Return pan to oven and cook for 5-10 minutes more until desired crispness is reached.
• Check frequently to avoid overcooking. When done, it should be deep golden brown.

5. Drain and Blot Bacon

• Transfer cooked bacon to a plate lined with paper towels. This absorbs excess grease for crisper bacon.
• For less greasy bacon, gently blot tops of slices with another paper towel.

6. Pour off Grease and Cleanup

• Carefully pour grease from cookie sheet into a heatproof container once slightly cooled. Grease can be discarded or saved for other cooking uses.
• For easy cleanup, wipe remnants from sheet with paper towel. Warm soapy water can also be used once pan has cooled.

And that’s it! With these simple steps you’ll have perfectly cooked oven bacon ready to enjoy. Customize cook times based on your preferred level of crispness and thickness of your bacon. In 25 minutes or less you can have a platter of crispy, evenly cooked bacon thanks to your oven and cookie sheet.

Extra Tips for Crispy Oven Bacon

• Use thick-cut bacon – Thinner slices overcook quickly. Opt for thicker cut for best results.
• Freeze bacon before cooking – Starting with frozen bacon helps render fat slower for crispier results.
• Add baking soda – Sprinkling bacon with baking soda raises the pH for more crisping power (but can produce a slightly soapy taste).
• Cook at lower temp – Try starting at a lower temp like 350°F to render fat before crisping at higher heat.
• Preheat sheet – Heating cookie sheet before adding bacon can boost crisping.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

• Cook bacon up to 5 days ahead – Let cool completely before refrigerating in a zip-top bag. Reheat before serving.
• Freeze cooked bacon – Allow to cool fully then freeze up to 2 months. Thaw in fridge before using.
• Refrigerate bacon grease – After straining, store grease in an airtight container up to 1 month. Use for cooking.

So next time you’re prepping a big breakfast or need bacon for a BLT, give the oven method a try! Baking bacon on a cookie sheet makes cooking and cleanup easy. Follow the guidance above for perfectly crispy, evenly cooked bacon worthy of any dish.