How to Bake Bacon - a Quick and Easy Guide

Baking bacon?  It may not have been our original method, but over the years we've discovered there are several advantages if someone is to bake bacon in the oven over frying it on the stove. 

Another reason to bake bacon is you don't have to watch it cook - there is less need to supervise a tray of bacon in the oven than a skillet with boiling grease! And finally, cleanup is much simpler when you were able to bake bacon vs. frying.

Here are fool-proof ways to bake bacon - and cook it perfectly every time!

How to Bake Sliced Bacon

  1.  Adjust the oven rack so it is in the middle of the oven.
  2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  3. Arrange slices on a slotted broiler tray with a catch tray beneath to catch grease*.
  4. Cook for 10-15 minutes depending on desired crispiness, checking occasionally.
  5. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined platter.
  6.  Transfer to a plate and serve.

*Alternatively, line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil, then place a baking rack on the sheet and arrange bacon on the rack.

How to Bake Thick Sliced Bacon

  1. Adjust the oven rack so it is in the middle of the oven.
  2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  3. Arrange bacon on a slotted broiler tray with a catch tray beneath to catch grease*.
  4. Cook for 15-20 minutes depending on thickness and desired crispiness, checking occasionally.
  5. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined platter.
  6. Transfer to a plate and serve.

*Alternatively, line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil, then place a baking rack on the sheet and arrange bacon on the rack.

How to Bake Jowl Bacon

  1.  Adjust the oven rack so it is in the middle of the oven.
  2.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  3.  Cut the jowl into ¼-inch-wide slices or arrange the presliced jowl bacon.
  4.  Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
  5.  Arrange the jowl strips on the baking sheet at least 1/2 inch apart.
  6.  Bake the jowl for 18-20 minutes, checking occasionally for doneness.
  7.  For additional crispiness, back the jowl uncovered to render out more fat.
  8.  Remove the bacon from the oven & transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined platter.
  9.  Blot bacon with an additional paper towel & transfer to a plate and serve.

Once you have your cooking method mastered, then you can move to the fun part of picking your favorite flavor, such as maple, peppered, and more.