Are you tired of using parchment paper every time you bake bacon in the oven? Do you want to simplify your cooking process and reduce waste?
Look no further! In this article, we will share with you some tips and tricks on how to bake bacon in the oven without using parchment paper.
From using a rimmed sheet pan to adding honey or maple syrup for a sweet twist, we’ve got you covered. Say goodbye to the hassle of parchment paper and hello to perfectly crispy bacon every time.
Let’s get started!
How To Bake Bacon In The Oven Without Parchment Paper?
First things first, preheat your oven to 400°F. While the oven is heating up, grab a rimmed sheet pan and line it with foil. Make sure the foil covers the entire pan and has an overhang on all four sides to contain the hot, rendered fat and make cleanup easy.
Next, lay your raw bacon directly on the foil-lined sheet pan. Make sure to lay the bacon in a single layer and avoid overlapping any of the raw bacon. This will help your bacon to cook and crisp evenly.
If you’re worried about the bacon sticking to the foil, you can lightly spray the foil with nonstick spray before laying down the bacon.
Once your bacon is laid out on the sheet pan, pop it in the oven and bake until it reaches your desired level of crispiness. The thickness of your bacon will determine the amount of time it needs in the oven. If your bacon seems really thin, shave off 3-5 minutes of the cooking time and if it seems thicker than normal, add 3-5 minutes onto the cooking time.
If you’re baking a whole bunch of bacon at once and you don’t have enough space on the sheet pan to avoid overlap, know that cooking overlapped bacon in the oven *is* possible, it’ll just add about 20-30 minutes to the total cook time and you’ll likely have to flip it.
Once your bacon is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool slightly before draining the fat. Depending on your desired doneness, regular sliced bacon will be ready after about 14 minutes and thick-cut bacon at 18 minutes. If you cook less than a full sheet of bacon, the strips cook more quickly, which is why we suggest checking after 12 minutes.
Why Ditch Parchment Paper?
While parchment paper is a popular choice for baking bacon in the oven, it’s not always necessary. In fact, there are a few reasons why you might want to ditch the parchment paper altogether.
Firstly, using foil instead of parchment paper can make for an easier cleanup. Parchment paper can become saturated with grease and be difficult to clean, whereas foil can be easily removed and thrown away with the excess grease.
Secondly, cooking bacon directly on foil can actually help it get crispier. When bacon is cooked in its own grease, it tends to crisp up more than when it’s cooked on a rack or parchment paper. This can result in a more flavorful and satisfying bacon experience.
Lastly, using foil instead of parchment paper can save time and money. Parchment paper can be expensive and may not be readily available in your kitchen. Foil, on the other hand, is a common household item that most people have on hand.
Using A Rimmed Sheet Pan
Using a rimmed sheet pan to bake bacon in the oven is a great option for those who don’t want to use parchment paper or a wire rack. The first step is to make sure you have a rimmed sheet pan that can hold all of your bacon without overlapping. If you have a large sheet pan, you can fit 8-9 pieces of bacon comfortably.
There are a few options for how to prepare your rimmed sheet pan for baking bacon. One option is to use a sheet pan with no rack and lay the raw bacon directly on the pan. This allows the bacon to cook in its own grease and fry, just like when you cook it on the stove top. Another option is to use a sheet pan with a wire rack, which will allow the bacon grease to drain off and prevent it from sticking.
If you choose to use a rimmed sheet pan without a rack, make sure to line it with foil or parchment paper to make cleanup easier. You can also lightly spray the foil with nonstick spray before laying down the bacon to prevent sticking.
Once your bacon is laid out on the sheet pan, pop it in the oven and bake until it reaches your desired level of crispiness. Make sure to rotate the sheet pan when you flip the bacon to ensure even cooking.
After your bacon is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool slightly before draining the fat. You can save this bacon fat for later use in cooking or discard it.
Adding A Sweet Twist With Honey Or Maple Syrup
If you’re looking to add a sweet twist to your bacon, try drizzling it with honey or maple syrup before baking it in the oven. This will give your bacon a deliciously sweet and savory flavor that’s hard to resist.
To do this, simply lay your raw bacon on the foil-lined sheet pan as described above. Then, drizzle each strip with honey or maple syrup, making sure to cover each piece evenly.
Pop the pan in the oven and bake until the bacon is crispy and caramelized. The honey or maple syrup will create a delicious glaze on the bacon that’s perfect for breakfast or brunch.
If you’re worried about the honey or maple syrup burning, you can cover the bacon loosely with foil for the first half of the cooking time. Then, remove the foil and continue baking until the bacon is crispy and caramelized.
Once your bacon is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool slightly before draining any excess fat. Serve immediately and enjoy your sweet and savory twist on classic bacon.
Using A Wire Rack For Even Cooking
If you want your bacon to cook evenly and have a crispy finish, using a wire rack is a great option. The wire rack will elevate the bacon off the sheet pan and allow the hot air to circulate around the bacon, cooking it from all sides.
To use a wire rack, first preheat your oven to 400°F. Line your sheet pan with foil as usual, but instead of laying your bacon directly on the foil, place the wire rack on top of the foil-lined sheet pan. Then, lay your bacon out in a single layer on top of the wire rack.
Make sure to leave some space between each slice of bacon so that the hot air can circulate around it. This will help to prevent any areas of the bacon from becoming soggy or undercooked.
Once your bacon is laid out on the wire rack, pop it in the oven and bake until it reaches your desired level of crispiness. The wire rack will help to ensure that your bacon cooks evenly and has a crispy finish.
When your bacon is done cooking, remove it from the oven and let it cool slightly before draining off any excess fat. Using a wire rack to cook your bacon in the oven is a great way to achieve an even cook and crispy finish without having to worry about any sticking or mess.
Tips For Cleaning Up Without Parchment Paper
If you don’t have parchment paper on hand, don’t worry! You can still make cleanup a breeze by following these tips:
1. Use a rimmed sheet pan: Make sure to use a sheet pan with raised edges to contain any hot, rendered fat that may spill over during cooking.
2. Line the pan with foil: Use aluminum foil to line the sheet pan, making sure it covers the entire surface and has an overhang on all four sides. This will help contain the mess and make cleanup easier.
3. Spray the foil with nonstick spray: To prevent the bacon from sticking to the foil, lightly spray it with nonstick spray before laying down the bacon.
4. Drain the fat: Once your bacon is cooked to your desired level of crispiness, remove it from the oven and let it cool slightly. Then, carefully pour off the hot, rendered fat into a heat-safe container before discarding the foil.
By following these tips, you can enjoy delicious crispy bacon without any of the mess!
Frequently Asked Questions About Baking Bacon Without Parchment Paper
If you’re new to baking bacon in the oven, you may have a few questions. Here are some frequently asked questions about baking bacon without parchment paper:
Q: Is parchment paper necessary for baking bacon in the oven?
A: No, parchment paper is not necessary. You can bake bacon directly on a foil-lined sheet pan for easy cleanup.
Q: Should I use a cooling rack to cook bacon in the oven?
A: It’s not necessary to use a cooling rack. Bacon cooked on a foil-lined sheet pan will still turn out crispy.
Q: What temperature should I cook bacon at in the oven?
A: Many recipes suggest heating the oven to 400°F, but it’s best to set the temperature to 350°F for more even cooking and to prevent burning.
Q: How long should I cook bacon in the oven?
A: The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your bacon, but for crispy bacon, 30 minutes at 350°F is ideal. Start with 20 minutes for slightly softer bacon and adjust as needed.
Q: Do I need to flip the bacon midway through cooking?
A: No, flipping is not necessary. The bacon will cook evenly on a foil-lined sheet pan without flipping.
Q: How much bacon can I cook using this method?
A: One rimmed baking sheet fits one 8-ounce package, which is about eight slices. If you need to cook more than one package, simply use two or three baking sheets.
Baking bacon in the oven without parchment paper is a quick and easy way to cook up crispy bacon without all the mess. With these tips and tricks, you’ll be able to bake perfect bacon every time!
