The Best Way to Cook Bacon in the Oven

My favorite way to make oven baked bacon with this easy, 10-minute recipe! I love using this recipe when I’m already using the oven for a super easy addition to our breakfast for dinner nights.

Oven Baked Bacon is a Game Changer

When I discovered I could bake bacon in the oven instead of using my stovetop, boy, oh boy, did my meal prep change… for the better! I mean, when you figure out you can cook an entire package of bacon in just 10 minutes, how can your life not change?

It’s especially helpful on weekends when my daughter has friends over for a sleepover, the morning after big holidays when I don’t feel like cooking, or those super fun Sundays when I go all out and make a brunch spread. 

You can use bacon in so many different ways besides breakfast, too. I love it in wraps, sandwiches, on salads… you get the idea!

And, if you love bacon as much as me, try my air fryer bacon, Instant Pot bacon, Ninja Foodi bacon, and air fryer turkey bacon recipes.

The Benefits of Baking Bacon in the Oven

• Easier cleanup 
• Even cooking
• Crispy results every time
• No grease splatter

What You’ll Need to Cook Bacon in the Oven

• Bacon
• Aluminum Foil
• Baking Sheet

The Best Way to Cook Bacon in the Oven

A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.

STEP ONE: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.

STEP TWO: Arrange the bacon on the baking sheet in a single layer.

STEP THREE: Cook for 10 minutes and check the bacon. If it needs more time, continue to check in 2-5 minute increments until cooked through.

STEP FOUR: Remove from the oven and cool slightly before serving. Enjoy!

Tips for Making Oven Cooked Bacon

• Use a wire rack for even crispier results. Adding a wire rack to your baking sheet allows the grease to drip off the bacon, making it much crispier. It’s a great idea if you like crispy bacon.
• Or, crank up the heat to 425 degrees F for an added crunch. I know not everyone loves crunchy bacon, which is why this is totally optional!
• Remember not to overcrowd the baking sheet. The bacon needs to be in a single layer to ensure it bakes instead of steams.
• Be patient as the bacon bakes, and resist the urge to open the oven to check on it. Every time you open the door, the temperature will drop, messing with the cooking time.

What temp to cook bacon in the oven?

I cook my bacon in the oven at 400 degrees F and find that it’s perfect for getting a nice and crispy texture in just about 10 minutes.

How long to cook bacon in the oven

I find that it typically takes about 10 minutes to cook 1 package of bacon in the oven. You may be 3-5 minutes more, depending on your oven.

What to do with Leftover Bacon Grease

If you don’t want to toss the leftover bacon grease, there are plenty of ways to use it. I recommend straining it first to remove any bacon pieces. 

Store the grease in a glass jar in the fridge for up to 3 months. For a hint of smoky flavor, add it to scrambled eggs or sautéed vegetables, or use it in baked goods. Cornbread or biscuits made with bacon grease are incredibly tasty!

Favorite Ways to Serve Oven Cooked Bacon

A few of my favorite ways to serve bacon include the classic BLT (or this pasta salad version), crumbled in salad with broccoli, in breakfast sandwiches or breakfast burritos, and in so many different appetizer recipes.

Jalapeno poppers, bacon cheese fries, and jalapeno deviled eggs are just a few ideas. 

Oven Baked Bacon FAQs

Is it better to bake bacon at 350 or 400 degrees F? 

I find that it’s better to bake bacon at 400 degrees F. It will take much longer to cook at the lower temperature — and leave your bacon chewy. At 400 degrees F, bacon crisps up wonderfully in just about 10 minutes.

How long do you cook bacon in the oven at 400 degrees?

Cook time depends on how thick your bacon slices are, regardless of temperature. I typically bake mine for 10 minutes, sometimes 12 minutes.

I always watch it in the last few minutes of cooking to ensure it doesn’t burn. Thicker slices can take up to 20 minutes to cook. 

Do you flip bacon when cooking in the oven?

You don’t have to flip the bacon while it cooks in the oven. Some recipes require you to, but you don’t have to with mine. But if even cooking is a real concern, flipping them won’t hurt!

Do you have to use parchment paper for bacon in the oven?

No, you don’t need to use parchment paper to make oven baked bacon — I don’t use it in my recipe. I do add aluminum foil to make cleanup easier, and you could technically swap it out for parchment paper.

The key is to add a barrier between the bacon and the baking sheet so you don’t have to scrub it clean. Both foil and parchment paper would work.

More Easy Breakfast Recipes

• Brioche French Toast Casserole
• Air Fryer Hash Browns
• 5 Ingredient Hash Brown Casserole
• Bisquick Coffee Cake
• Sweet Cream Pancakes