What Temperature to Bake Bacon in the Oven for Perfect Results Every Time

Crispy, delicious oven-baked bacon is easier to make than you think By using the right temperature and technique, you can achieve consistent results each time Here’s everything you need to know about baking bacon in the oven, including the best temperature for perfect bacon every time.

Why Bake Bacon in the Oven?

Cooking bacon on the stovetop often leads to grease splatters, uneven cooking, and constant monitoring. Switching to the oven prevents messes and frees you up to prepare other parts of the meal while the bacon cooks unattended. Oven baking also allows the bacon to cook evenly, resulting in uniformly crispy strips.

What Temperature is Best for Baking Bacon?

400°F is the ideal oven temperature for baking bacon. This temperature renders out the fat slowly for crispness without overcooking the meat or causing the bacon to burn Higher temperatures may shorten the cook time, but will increase the chances of burnt or unevenly cooked strips

Step-by-Step Guide to Baking Bacon

Follow these simple steps for perfectly oven-baked bacon every time:

• Prep the baking sheet: Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper. For easier cleanup, add a cooling rack on top. The rack allows grease to drip below, keeping the bacon from sitting in fat.

• Arrange the bacon: Lay bacon slices in a single layer on the prepared pan without overlapping. Sprinkling cracked black pepper or other seasonings is optional.

• Put in a cold oven: Place the baking sheet with bacon in the cold oven first, then turn the oven to 400°F.

• Bake for 15-25 minutes Once the oven preheats bake for 15-25 minutes depending on crispness preference. Note that cooking times are longer than usual since the bacon starts in a cold oven.

• Blot grease: Carefully transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to blot grease. Let cool slightly before serving.

• Cleanup: Discard grease or save it in a heatproof container for cooking. Soiled foil can go right in the trash for quick cleanup.

Baking Times for Bacon

To ensure perfect texture without burning at 400°F, follow these oven bacon cook times as a guide:

• 15-18 minutes: For chewy bacon
• 18-22 minutes: For crisp yet tender bacon
• 22-25 minutes: For very crispy bacon

Thicker specialty bacon may require a few extra minutes. Check often near the end of the recommended time range and cook longer if needed.

Cook Time Versus Oven Preheat

A common bacon baking mistake is putting the bacon into an already hot oven. This can lead to uneven cooking and burning.

Instead, place the bacon in the cold oven first. Turn on the heat, then let the oven gradually preheat with the bacon inside. This allows the bacon to warm up slowly as the oven heats, resulting in even crisping.

Signs Your Oven Temperature is Too High

If you notice any of these issues, your oven is likely too hot for baking bacon:

• Bacon burning or becoming too brown
• Fat splattering
• Uneven cooking between slices
• Curled or shrivelled appearance

If you see these signs, lower the temperature 25°F and test again. Adjusting down to 375°F may prevent burning.

Tips for Crispy Oven-Baked Bacon

For extra crispy bacon, try these tips:

• Use thick-cut bacon which holds up better than thin
• Cut strips shorter so they cook evenly
• Bake bacon on a wire rack for maximum air circulation
• Pat bacon dry before baking to help crisping
• Add a bit of brown sugar or maple syrup for caramelized flavor

Delicious Uses for Baked Bacon

Now that you know how to bake crispy bacon in the oven, try using those candied-like strips in these recipes:

• Breakfast sandwiches
• Bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwiches
• Bacon cheeseburgers
• Bacon and blue cheese potato salad
• Bacon onion jam
• Candied bacon milkshake
• Bacon peanut brittle

The possibilities are endless! With the ideal oven temperature and proper technique, you’ll enjoy perfectly cooked bacon every time.