Bacon is a beloved breakfast food that can make your taste buds dance with joy. But for those who are watching their weight, it can be a calorie-laden nightmare.
Fear not, bacon lovers! There is a way to enjoy this crispy treat without the guilt. By baking your bacon in the oven, you can reduce the amount of grease and calories while still savoring that delicious flavor.
In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of oven-baked bacon and answer the question on everyone’s mind: how many calories are in oven-baked bacon?
So sit back, relax, and get ready to learn how to make your breakfast healthier and tastier than ever before.
How Many Calories In Oven Baked Bacon?
If you’re watching your weight, you may be wondering how many calories are in oven-baked bacon. The good news is that baking bacon can significantly reduce the amount of calories compared to pan-frying.
According to the USDA, one slice of cooked bacon (8.1g) contains about 44 calories when baked in the oven. This is significantly lower than the 77 calories per slice when pan-fried.
It’s important to note that the calorie count can vary depending on the type of bacon you use. Center-cut or reduced-fat bacon will have fewer calories than regular bacon, while reduced-sodium bacon will have less sodium but not necessarily fewer calories.
To bake your bacon, preheat your oven to 400°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Place a cooling rack on top of the foil and lay the bacon strips on the rack. Bake for 10-15 minutes, until desired crispness.
Not only does baking your bacon make it healthier, but it also makes cooking safer and cuts down on cleanup time. When pan-frying bacon, you have to watch the stovetop closely while dodging burning, popping grease splotches. Baked bacon requires minimal cleanup and doesn’t leave behind messy grease spots on your stovetop.
The Benefits Of Oven-baked Bacon
There are several benefits to cooking bacon in the oven. First and foremost, it allows you to cook all of the bacon at once, rather than in batches on the stovetop. This not only saves time, but it also ensures that all of the bacon is cooked evenly.
Another benefit of baking bacon is that it doesn’t need to be turned over as it cooks. This frees you up to do other things while your bacon is cooking. Additionally, because the bacon cooks more evenly in the oven, you end up with a more consistent result.
Baking bacon also results in a crispier texture than pan-frying. When cooked on the stove, bacon tends to curl up and can be difficult to keep flat. In the oven, however, the bacon lays flat and cooks evenly, resulting in a crispy texture that’s hard to beat.
Finally, baking bacon is much easier to clean up than pan-frying. All of the grease stays in the baking pan, rather than splattering all over your stovetop and kitchen. This makes cleanup a breeze and saves you time and effort.
How To Bake Bacon In The Oven
Baking bacon in the oven is a simple and easy process that yields delicious and crispy results. Here’s how to do it:
1. Preheat your oven to 400°F. It’s important to preheat the oven before baking the bacon to ensure even cooking.
2. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil or parchment paper. This will make cleanup a breeze and prevent the bacon from sticking to the pan.
3. Arrange the bacon slices on a wire rack set on top of the baking sheet. This will allow the bacon to cook evenly and prevent it from sitting in its own grease.
4. Bake the bacon for 10-15 minutes, or until it reaches your desired level of crispiness. Keep an eye on it towards the end of the cooking time to avoid burning.
5. Once the bacon is done, remove it from the oven and transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess grease.
6. Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious, crispy bacon!
It’s important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the thickness of your bacon and how crispy you like it. Thicker cuts of bacon will require longer cooking times, while thinner cuts will cook faster.
Comparing The Calorie Count Of Oven-baked Bacon To Other Cooking Methods
When it comes to cooking bacon, there are several methods to choose from, but how do they compare in terms of calorie count?
According to the USDA, one slice of cooked bacon (8.1g) contains about 44 calories when baked in the oven. In comparison, pan-frying a slice of bacon can cost you about 77 calories. This means that baking your bacon can save you around 33 calories per slice.
It’s worth noting that the calorie count can vary depending on the thickness and type of bacon you use. Thick-cut bacon will take longer to cook and may have slightly more calories than thinly sliced bacon. Additionally, center-cut or reduced-fat bacon will have fewer calories than regular bacon.
Other cooking methods, such as microwaving or grilling, can also affect the calorie count of your bacon. Microwaving bacon can reduce the calorie count even further, with one slice containing only about 25-35 calories depending on the brand. Grilling can also be a healthier option as it allows excess fat to drip away from the bacon.
Tips For Making The Perfect Oven-baked Bacon
Here are some tips to help you achieve the perfect oven-baked bacon:
1. Use a wire rack: Placing the bacon on a wire rack allows the hot air to circulate around the bacon, ensuring that it cooks evenly and becomes crispy. Plus, it helps to keep the bacon from sitting in its own grease, making it healthier.
2. Preheat the oven: Make sure to preheat your oven to 400°F before baking your bacon. This ensures that the bacon cooks evenly and doesn’t become overcooked or burnt.
3. Use thick-cut bacon: Thick-cut bacon is ideal for baking because it has a meatier texture and won’t curl up as much as thinner slices. It also provides a chewy and slightly crispy texture that many people prefer.
4. Watch your cooking time: Keep an eye on your bacon while it’s cooking to ensure that it doesn’t become overcooked or burnt. The cooking time can vary depending on the thickness of your bacon and how crispy you like it, so start checking it around the 10-minute mark.
5. Use parchment paper or foil: Lining your baking sheet with parchment paper or foil makes cleanup a breeze and helps to prevent sticking.
6. Don’t overcrowd the pan: Make sure to lay your bacon slices in a single layer on the wire rack, leaving space between each slice. Overcrowding the pan can cause uneven cooking and prevent the bacon from becoming crispy.
By following these tips, you’ll be able to make perfectly crispy and delicious oven-baked bacon every time. Plus, you’ll be able to enjoy all the flavor without all the extra calories!
Creative Ways To Use Oven-baked Bacon In Your Meals
Now that you know how to bake bacon and how many calories it contains, let’s explore some creative ways to use it in your meals.
1. Bacon-wrapped asparagus: Wrap a strip of baked bacon around each asparagus spear and bake in the oven until the bacon is crispy and the asparagus is tender.
2. Bacon and egg breakfast cups: Line a muffin tin with baked bacon, crack an egg into each cup, and bake until the eggs are set. This makes for a delicious and easy breakfast on-the-go.
3. Bacon-wrapped chicken: Wrap a piece of baked bacon around a chicken breast or thigh before baking in the oven for a flavorful and juicy meal.
4. BLT salad: Toss together lettuce, tomato, and crumbled baked bacon for a healthier version of the classic BLT sandwich.
5. Bacon-wrapped dates: Stuff pitted dates with goat cheese or another soft cheese, wrap with a strip of baked bacon, and bake in the oven until crispy.
6. Bacon-wrapped shrimp: Wrap a piece of baked bacon around each shrimp and skewer for an easy appetizer or main dish.
7. Bacon mac and cheese: Add crumbled baked bacon to your favorite mac and cheese recipe for a savory twist on this classic comfort food.
These are just a few ideas to get you started on incorporating oven-baked bacon into your meals. With its lower calorie count and easy preparation, it’s no wonder why baking bacon has become a popular cooking method.