Are you tired of the messy and time-consuming process of frying bacon on the stovetop? Look no further than the oven!
This easy and foolproof method for cooking bacon will leave you with perfectly crispy slices every time. Plus, it frees up your stovetop for other cooking tasks.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps to cook bacon in the oven, including tips and tricks from a seasoned pro.
Say goodbye to greasy splatters and hello to deliciously crispy bacon with this simple technique.
How To Cook Bacon In The Oven Ina Garten?
Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa, is known for her delicious and easy-to-follow recipes. One of her most popular techniques is cooking bacon in the oven.
To start, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a sheet pan with aluminum foil for easy cleaning and place a wire baking rack on top.
Next, lay the bacon slices on the rack, making sure they don’t touch each other. This ensures that each slice cooks evenly and becomes crispy.
Bake the bacon for 15 to 20 minutes, or until it reaches your desired level of crispiness. You can check on it after 15 minutes to make sure it’s not overcooking.
Once the bacon is done, remove it from the oven and transfer it to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess grease.
That’s it! You now have perfectly cooked bacon without any mess or fuss.
Why Cook Bacon In The Oven?
There are several great reasons to cook bacon in the oven. First and foremost, it keeps your stovetop clean. Cooking bacon in a skillet can result in grease splattering all over your kitchen, but baking it in the oven eliminates that mess.
Additionally, cooking bacon in the oven is less work than cooking it on the stovetop. You don’t have to worry about constantly flipping the bacon or keeping a close eye on it. Simply place it in the oven and come back later to perfectly cooked bacon.
Another benefit of cooking bacon in the oven is that it cooks evenly. Each slice is cooked to perfection, without any burnt or undercooked spots.
Finally, cooking bacon in the oven is a great option for feeding a crowd. You can cook a large batch of bacon at once, without having to worry about overcrowding the pan or flipping each slice individually.
Preparing Your Bacon For The Oven
Before you start cooking your bacon in the oven, there are a few steps you need to take to ensure it turns out perfectly.
First, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This will ensure that the bacon cooks evenly and becomes crispy.
Next, line a sheet pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper. This will make cleaning up a breeze and prevent any bacon grease from sticking to the pan.
Place a wire baking rack on top of the foil or parchment paper. This will elevate the bacon and allow the grease to drip off, resulting in perfectly crispy bacon.
Lay the bacon slices on the wire rack, making sure they don’t overlap. This ensures that each slice cooks evenly and becomes crispy.
Bake the bacon for 15 to 20 minutes, depending on how crispy you like it. You can check on it after 15 minutes to make sure it’s not overcooking.
Once the bacon is done, remove it from the oven and transfer it to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess grease.
By following these simple steps, you’ll have perfectly cooked bacon without any mess or fuss. Plus, you can impress your family or guests with your newfound cooking skills!
Setting Up Your Oven For Bacon Cooking
Before you start cooking bacon in the oven, it’s important to set up your oven correctly. Here are some tips to ensure that your bacon turns out perfectly every time:
1. Preheat your oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit before you start cooking. This ensures that the oven is at the right temperature when you put the bacon in.
2. Line a sheet pan with aluminum foil: Use aluminum foil to line a sheet pan. This makes cleanup easy and also prevents the bacon from sticking to the pan.
3. Use a wire baking rack: Place a wire baking rack on top of the lined sheet pan. This elevates the bacon and allows the hot air to circulate around it, resulting in evenly cooked and crispy bacon.
4. Lay the bacon slices on the rack: Place the bacon slices on the wire baking rack, making sure they don’t touch each other. This ensures that each slice cooks evenly and becomes crispy.
5. Bake the bacon: Bake the bacon for 15 to 20 minutes, or until it reaches your desired level of crispiness. You can check on it after 15 minutes to make sure it’s not overcooking.
6. Remove and drain: Once the bacon is done, remove it from the oven and transfer it to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess grease.
By following these simple steps, you’ll be able to cook perfect bacon in the oven every time. So why not give it a try and see for yourself how easy and delicious it can be?
Cooking Your Bacon In The Oven
Cooking bacon in the oven is a popular method because it’s easy and produces crispy, evenly cooked bacon. Here are some tips for cooking your bacon in the oven:
1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Line a sheet pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup.
3. Place a wire baking rack on top of the sheet pan to allow the bacon to cook evenly and prevent it from sitting in its own grease.
4. Lay the bacon slices on the rack, making sure they don’t overlap or touch each other.
5. Bake the bacon for 15 to 20 minutes, or until it reaches your desired level of crispiness. Thicker slices may take longer to cook.
6. Check on the bacon after 15 minutes to make sure it’s not overcooking.
7. Once the bacon is done, remove it from the oven and transfer it to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess grease.
Cooking bacon in the oven is a great way to cook a large batch of bacon at once without having to stand over a hot stove. Plus, the wire rack allows for even cooking and crispy results every time. Give it a try and see how easy it is!
Tips And Tricks For Perfectly Crispy Bacon
While cooking bacon in the oven is a simple and straightforward process, there are a few tips and tricks you can use to ensure your bacon comes out perfectly crispy every time.
1. Use a wire baking rack: Placing the bacon on a wire rack allows the hot air to circulate around the bacon, resulting in evenly cooked and crispy slices.
2. Don’t overcrowd the pan: Make sure to leave some space between each slice of bacon on the wire rack. Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking and soggy bacon.
3. Use parchment paper or aluminum foil: Lining your sheet pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil makes for easy cleanup and prevents the bacon from sticking to the pan.
4. Check on your bacon: Different ovens may have different cooking times, so it’s important to keep an eye on your bacon after the first 15 minutes. Check it every few minutes until it has reached your desired level of crispiness.
5. Let the bacon cool slightly before serving: Once you remove the bacon from the oven, let it cool for a minute or two before serving. This allows the bacon to firm up and become even crispier.
By following these simple tips and tricks, you can achieve perfectly crispy bacon every time you cook it in the oven.
Serving And Storing Your Oven-Cooked Bacon
Now that you have your oven-cooked bacon, it’s important to know how to store it properly to maintain its crispiness and freshness.
If you plan on serving the bacon immediately, keep it warm by placing it on a plate and covering it with foil or plastic wrap. However, if you need to store it for later use, follow these tips:
1. Allow the bacon to cool to room temperature before storing it. This will prevent condensation from forming inside the storage container, which can make the bacon soggy.
2. Store the bacon in an airtight container or plastic bag to prevent air from getting in and causing the bacon to go bad.
3. If you plan on eating the bacon within the next five days, store it in the refrigerator at or below 40°F. This will slow down the growth of harmful bacteria and help keep the bacon fresh.
4. To freeze cooked bacon, lay the slices on a baking tray and flash-freeze for 2-3 hours. Once they’re frozen, transfer them to a Ziploc bag or airtight container, removing as much air as possible before sealing. This will prevent freezer burn and extend the shelf life of the bacon for up to six weeks.
5. When reheating oven-cooked bacon, avoid using a microwave as this can make it soggy. Instead, reheat it in a skillet over low heat until it’s warm and crispy.
By following these tips, you can enjoy your oven-cooked bacon for days to come without sacrificing its flavor or texture.