How to Bake Crispy Bacon
- PREP 5min
- COOK 15min
- TOTAL 20min
You’ll need a rimmed baking sheet to cook bacon in the oven. If you have one, insert a metal (oven-safe) rack inside your baking sheet so the bacon sits on top of the rack and any fat drains underneath. We prefer to use thick-cut bacon (1/8-inch thick), which usually means there are 12 to 14 slices per pound.
You Will Need
1 pound (450g) bacon, preferably thick cut
Pepper, optional
Directions
Place a rack in the center of your oven and heat it to 400°F (204°C). If you are cooking a lot of bacon, use two racks: one in the lower third of the oven, the other in the upper third.
Line a rimmed baking sheet (or two) with foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup.
For extra crispy bacon: Place a baking rack (if you have one) inside the baking sheet.
Lay bacon slices in a single layer on the baking sheet (or on top of the rack). Avoid overlapping, but touching is okay.
Season with freshly ground black pepper (optional, but delicious!).
Cook for 12 to 20 minutes, checking at around 8 minutes, and often after that, until the bacon reaches your desired level of crispiness. If using two racks, rotate the baking sheets halfway through cooking for even browning.
Adam and Joanne's Tips
- Equipment note: I love using an oven-safe rack that fits inside a rimmed baking sheet for this. If you don’t have a rack that will fit inside a baking sheet, line it with aluminum foil or parchment paper and place the bacon slices directly onto the foil (make sure they are in one layer). The fat won’t drip away from the bacon but will crisp up nicely anyway.
- The nutrition facts below are estimates and assume about 14 slices of bacon equals 1 pound.