Oven baked bacon….the food of the Gods. It makes anything better and even a small amount can change the flavor of a whole dish. The main downfall of actually cooking bacon is the disastrous mess it leaves behind. My recipe for how to cook bacon in the oven will not only save you the mess, but it will result in perfectly flat and evenly cooked pieces of perfection. Forget everything you think you know about how to make bacon and read on!
The key to making great oven baked bacon is to use thick cut bacon and a high temperature. I know some people have had problems with smoke when preparing bacon in the oven but I’ve been doing it for years this way and no problems. I think the thick cut variety makes all the difference so spend an extra dollar or two and do it right 🙂

Take a peek at my video to see how simple it really is, then put that thick cut bacon on your shopping list. Your family will praise your name forever!

The right type of cookie sheet is important as well. I love my amazing half sheet pan for so many reasons, but especially for this recipe. The thicker aluminum help evenly distribute the heat and you need the high lips on the edges for the bacon grease.

Our favorite way to use these golden strips of heaven is on a BLT sandwich on a great toasted bread. If you are looking to up your BLT recipe to a whole new level, be sure to slice up some avocado to lay on top of those tomatoes! We had these for dinner last night and I have no shame telling you we each ate two whole sandwiches because they were so fabulous. So I know your Mom taught you how to make bacon over the stove, but it is time to grow up and make oven baked bacon instead. Welcome to being an official adult 🙂

This was the method I used to make my Chocolate Covered Bacon as well. You know you have to go see that recipe, so I’ll see you soon.

Oven Baked Bacon

Print Recipe

Oven baked bacon is the only way to go!

Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 1 pound 1x

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound thick cut bacon

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a large sheet pan with foil and lay the pieces of bacon all along the bottom of the pan. You should have them touch each other because they will shrink.
Bake for 15 – 20 minutes for softer bacon and 20-25 for more crispy bacon.

Author: Carole Jones
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Breakfast
Method: Baked
Cuisine: American