I thought I had won the lottery when I found out that you can make bacon in the microwave – good bacon. No more standing over the oven with grease splattering everywhere! The only thing I didn’t like was that you could only make a plateful at a time. And then I started hearing rumors about making bacon in the oven, or what I call Oven Fried Bacon. I’ve seen it floating around blogland, on TV, and when I checked, I even found directions for making bacon in the oven right on the box. I am definitely not claiming the idea as my own, but I am here to tell you it works – amazingly! Why do I love this method for cooking baking? First, no greasy splatter. Second, you can make a ton at one time. Third, it frees up your stove top. Fourth, cleanup is a cinch! And finally, it’s still every bit as good as it’s fried counterpart!
- Bacon
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First cover a cookie sheet with foil. You will want a cookie sheet with raised sides to prevent grease from running over into your oven. Line your bacon on top of the foil. The slices can be close to each other, but not touching. Turn your oven to 400 and slide your cookie sheet in (there's no need to preheat). It will take 10-17 minutes to cook, depending on how your prefer yours cooked. We like our bacon "squeaky" which is not crisp, but chewy, so I always check mine around 10 minutes and usually pull it around 13 or 14. But if you like yours crispier, you will probably want to leave it in longer. The cooking time will also depend on how thick of a cut you buy so the first couple of times, you may have to experiment, but after that, you should figure out a bacon formula perfect for your needs. You will also want to check the underside (use a fork to lift a corner for a peek), because it will be more done than the top - and if you go by how the tops looks you will almost certainly overcook it! When your bacon is done to your liking, take the baking sheet out of the oven (use hot mitts, please) and remove the bacon to a plate covered with paper towels to soak up the grease. I also cover the top and pat it off from the top. For the clean up - cover that greasy foil with some paper towels. Let the grease soak in, roll everything up together and when it has cooled down and throw it away. Easy peasy!
PS – I have been told you can spray cooking racks with nonstick spray and place them on top of the foil, cooking the bacon on the racks to let extra fat drip off. Then proceed as directed.
Cooking bacon in the oven is my favourite way to do it. Sometimes I use racks, but they can be a pain to clean. If you want a real ‘Sunday treat’ kind of breakfast, put bacon on a rack (over a cookie sheet!), and then spread it with a mixture of equal parts mustard and brown sugar. Bake as usual. SUPER yummy!
Tanya, it’s the best, isn’t it! I have seen recipes using bacon and brown sugar, but never with mustard…. I must say I am intrigued.
Happy Day,
Jasey
I cook my bacon in the oven as well and it’s awesome! So much better than frying it and making such a giant mess!
We have been baking our bacon for about a year now, and it’s genius! We put ours on a cooling rack that sets just in the baking sheet. Like posted above, it is a pain to clean, but so worth the result, as the grease all drips away. We like our bacon somewhere between chewy and crispy.
I like my bacon crispy, my daughter prefers it a bit done, probaby your squeaky. I almost always cook my bacon in the oven but have never lined the pans. I might try that to make clean up easier.
I too cook my bacon in the oven, it’s much more healthier than frying.
Darvon Recall
I like my bacon extra crispy. Have never tried it in the oven!! What a genius idea. 🙂
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