Can You Put Bacon On Parchment Paper? An Expert’s Guide

Bacon is a beloved breakfast staple that can be cooked in a variety of ways. But have you ever wondered if you can put bacon on parchment paper?

The answer is yes! In fact, using parchment paper to cook bacon in the oven has become a popular method because it allows for easy cleanup and crispy bacon every time.

In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of using parchment paper to cook bacon and provide some helpful tips to ensure your bacon turns out perfectly.

So, grab your favorite pack of bacon and let’s get cooking!

Can You Put Bacon On Parchment Paper?

As mentioned earlier, you can absolutely put bacon on parchment paper. In fact, it’s a great way to cook bacon in the oven because it allows for easy cleanup. Once you’re done cooking and the bacon has cooled down, simply roll all the grease up into the center of the parchment paper and throw it away.

Using parchment paper also helps to ensure that your bacon comes out crispy every time. When you cook bacon on a baking sheet, the grease can pool up and make the bacon soggy. But with parchment paper, the grease is absorbed and the bacon stays crispy.

Why Use Parchment Paper To Cook Bacon?

There are several reasons why using parchment paper to cook bacon is a great idea. Firstly, it makes for easy cleanup. As mentioned earlier, once you’re done cooking and the bacon has cooled down, simply roll all the grease up into the center of the parchment paper and throw it away. This saves you time and effort in cleaning up the baking sheet.

Secondly, using parchment paper helps to ensure that your bacon comes out crispy every time. When you cook bacon on a baking sheet, the grease can pool up and make the bacon soggy. But with parchment paper, the grease is absorbed and the bacon stays crispy. This is because parchment paper is non-stick, so it allows the bacon to cook evenly without sticking to the paper.

Lastly, using parchment paper is a healthier option compared to cooking bacon directly on a baking sheet. When you cook bacon on a baking sheet, the grease can accumulate and create a lot of smoke in your oven. This can be harmful to your health, especially if you have respiratory issues. Using parchment paper helps to absorb excess grease and prevent smoke from accumulating in your oven.

How To Prepare Parchment Paper For Cooking Bacon

Preparing parchment paper for cooking bacon is a simple process. First, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, making sure to leave some overhang on all sides. This will make cleanup easier later on.

Next, lay your bacon slices on the parchment paper in a single layer, making sure not to overlap any of the pieces. If you’re cooking a lot of bacon at once and can’t avoid overlapping, be prepared to add extra cooking time and flip the bacon halfway through.

Once your bacon is arranged on the parchment paper, place the baking sheet in the oven and cook for 10-20 minutes until it reaches your desired level of crispiness. Keep an eye on the bacon as it cooks and adjust the cooking time as needed based on the thickness of your bacon.

After your bacon is finished cooking, use tongs to transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate to drain off any excess grease. Then, simply roll up the parchment paper with the grease inside and discard it for easy cleanup.

Steps To Cook Bacon On Parchment Paper

Cooking bacon on parchment paper is a simple and easy process that can be done in a few easy steps. Here is a step-by-step guide to cooking bacon on parchment paper:

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Make sure the parchment paper covers the entire surface of the baking sheet.

3. Lay the bacon slices on the baking sheet, making sure they are in a single layer and not overlapping.

4. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and cook the bacon for 10 to 20 minutes, or until it’s as crispy as you’d like. The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of your bacon, so keep an eye on it after the 10-minute mark.

5. Once the bacon is cooked to your desired crispiness, remove the baking sheet from the oven and transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease.

6. If you want to save the bacon grease, let it cool slightly, then pour it through a fine-mesh strainer into a heatproof container and refrigerate. If you don’t want to save the grease, let it solidify on the parchment paper, then crumple the paper around it and discard.

7. Once you’re done cooking, simply roll all the used parchment paper with grease up into the center and throw it away for easy cleanup.

Cooking bacon on parchment paper is a great way to ensure that your bacon stays crispy while also making cleanup a breeze. Give it a try next time you’re cooking up some bacon in the oven!

Tips For Perfect Crispy Bacon On Parchment Paper

If you want to ensure that your bacon comes out perfectly crispy every time when cooking on parchment paper, follow these tips:

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This will ensure that your bacon cooks evenly and crisps up nicely.

2. Use a large baking sheet with a rimmed edge and line it with parchment paper. This will prevent any grease from spilling over onto your oven and also make cleanup a breeze.

3. Lay the bacon strips on the parchment paper in a single layer, making sure they don’t overlap. This will allow the heat to circulate around each strip, ensuring that they cook evenly.

4. For extra-crispy bacon, place a wire rack on top of the baking sheet and lay the bacon strips on top of the rack. This will allow the grease to drip off and prevent the bacon from becoming soggy.

5. Cook the bacon for 10 to 20 minutes, or until it’s as crispy as you’d like. Keep an eye on it towards the end of the cooking time to make sure it doesn’t burn.

6. Once the bacon is done, remove it from the oven and transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate to drain off any excess grease.

By following these tips, you can enjoy perfectly crispy bacon every time when cooking on parchment paper. Plus, cleanup will be a breeze, making this method a win-win for any bacon lover!

Cleaning Up After Cooking Bacon On Parchment Paper

One of the best things about cooking bacon on parchment paper is that cleaning up is a breeze. Once the bacon has finished cooking and has cooled down, simply gather up the used parchment paper and toss it into the garbage.

If you want to save the bacon fat for another use, wait for the pan to cool for about 10-15 minutes. This will lower the temperature of the bacon fat, making it still fluid but unlikely to scald you. Bring the corners of the parchment paper together on both sides to create a safer way to transfer the bacon fat to a container. Holding the parchment paper over the container, slowly tilt it to create a pouring spout and transfer the bacon fat in. Cover the container and refrigerate the bacon fat until ready to serve.

If you forget to save the bacon fat while it is still liquid, use a spoon to scrape it off the parchment paper. As long as it is room temperature, it should be malleable enough to easily save. If you don’t care about keeping the fat, just let it cool on the parchment paper until it is hardened. Then fold up the parchment paper and dispose.

Other Uses For Parchment Paper In The Kitchen

Aside from using parchment paper for baking and cooking bacon, there are many other uses for this versatile kitchen tool. Here are some other ways you can use parchment paper in the kitchen:

1. Lining cake pans: Parchment paper can be used to line cake pans before pouring in the batter. This ensures that the cake doesn’t stick to the pan and makes for easy removal.

2. Wrapping fish: Cooking fish en papillote, or in parchment paper, is a great way to infuse it with flavor and keep it moist. Simply wrap the fish in parchment paper with herbs, spices, and vegetables, and bake in the oven.

3. Making homemade candy: Parchment paper can be used to line a baking sheet when making homemade candy or toffee. This prevents sticking and makes for easy removal once the candy has cooled.

4. Roasting vegetables: Parchment paper can be used to line a baking sheet when roasting vegetables. This prevents sticking and makes for easy cleanup.

5. Making homemade pizza: Parchment paper can be used as a non-stick surface when making homemade pizza. Simply roll out the dough on a sheet of parchment paper, add toppings, and bake in the oven.

6. Making homemade granola: Parchment paper can be used to line a baking sheet when making homemade granola. This prevents sticking and makes for easy removal once the granola has cooled.

7. Making homemade crackers: Parchment paper can be used as a non-stick surface when making homemade crackers. Roll out the dough on a sheet of parchment paper, cut into desired shapes, and bake in the oven.

8. Making homemade ice cream sandwiches: Parchment paper can be used to wrap homemade ice cream sandwiches before freezing. This prevents sticking and makes for easy removal once they’re frozen solid.