Oven Baked Bacon

This is one of those recipes that feels almost too simple to write down… until you realize how many people are still fighting splatter, uneven cooking, or burnt bacon.

Growing up, we always cooked bacon in the microwave. And honestly, that works. It’s quick, familiar, and gets the job done.

But it’s also finicky.

One second it’s underdone, the next it’s burnt. And if you’re cooking a full package, you’re usually looking at four or five separate batches just to get it all cooked.

Oven-baked bacon was the switch that finally made sense for me.

With the oven, I can cook a full package in two batches, completely hands-off, with even cooking and far less babysitting. It’s faster overall, more consistent, and doesn’t require standing there watching the clock.

Why I Prefer the Oven

A full package cooks in 2 batches instead of 4–5
The bacon cooks evenly from end to end
No flipping, splatter, or hovering
Easier cleanup
Reliable results every time

How to Make Oven-Baked Bacon

Preheat your oven to 400°F.
Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil.
Arrange the bacon in a single layer. The slices can touch slightly but shouldn’t overlap.
Place the pan in the oven and bake for 10–20 minutes, depending on how you like your bacon.
- 10–12 minutes → softer bacon
- 13–15 minutes → classic crisp
- 16–20 minutes → extra crispy

Start checking around the 10–12 minute mark. Once bacon is close to done, it can go quickly.

Transfer cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and let it cool slightly before serving.

What to Do With the Bacon Grease

Once the pan has cooled slightly, carefully pour the bacon grease through a fine mesh strainer to remove any browned bits.

Always use a glass jar or heat-safe glass container for this step. Hot grease can warp or melt plastic, and glass handles the heat much more safely.

From there, you can:

Use it for eggs or breakfast potatoes
Add a little to sautéed vegetables
Save it for seasoning cast iron
Or discard it once it solidifies if that’s what works best for you

If you enjoy bacon but hate how tedious cooking it can feel, try it in the oven next time. It’s simpler, more consistent, and once you do it this way, you probably won’t go back.

If you want more real-life recipes like this—along with kid book picks for Turn the Page Tuesdays, homemaking ideas, and everyday mom life—you can always check back here each week. I’m slowly building a space full of things I actually use, read, cook, and come back to.

Thanks for being here 🤍