Bacon is a breakfast staple that can be cooked in a variety of ways. But have you ever tried cooking it in the oven?
It may sound unconventional, but it’s a game-changer. Not only does it save you time and effort, but it also produces perfectly crispy and evenly cooked bacon every time.
In this article, we’ll explore the method of cooking bacon in the oven, with tips and tricks inspired by a famous chef.
Get ready to elevate your breakfast game with this simple yet effective technique.
How To Cook Bacon In The Oven Jamie Oliver?
First, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). While the oven is heating up, prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
Next, place your bacon on the prepared baking sheet, making sure to leave some space between each slice. You can use any type of bacon you prefer, but make sure it’s sliced to a standard thickness.
Now, it’s time to add some flavor. Drizzle a little bit of olive oil over the bacon slices and rub it in with your hands. This will help the bacon cook evenly and prevent it from sticking to the baking sheet.
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and let the bacon cook for about 15-20 minutes. Keep an eye on it towards the end of the cooking time to make sure it doesn’t burn.
Once the bacon is crispy and golden brown, remove it from the oven and transfer it to a plate lined with paper towels. This will help absorb any excess grease.
And that’s it! You now have perfectly cooked bacon that’s crispy, flavorful, and evenly cooked.
Why Cook Bacon In The Oven?
There are several reasons why cooking bacon in the oven is a great option. First and foremost, it’s a hands-off approach that frees up your time and attention. You don’t have to worry about flipping the bacon or constantly monitoring it while it cooks. This makes it a great option if you’re cooking for a large group or if you simply want to multitask in the kitchen.
Another benefit of cooking bacon in the oven is that it’s less messy than other methods. When you cook bacon on the stovetop, grease tends to splatter all over the place, creating a greasy mess that’s difficult to clean up. With oven-baked bacon, the grease drips onto the baking sheet or onto a wire rack, making cleanup much easier.
Cooking bacon in the oven also ensures that it cooks evenly. This is particularly important if you’re cooking a large batch of bacon or if you’re using thicker cuts of bacon. Oven-baked bacon comes out crispy all around, with no undercooked or overcooked spots.
Finally, cooking bacon in the oven is a healthier option than frying it on the stovetop. When you fry bacon, it absorbs a lot of the grease, making it higher in fat and calories. Oven-baked bacon allows some of the grease to drip off, resulting in a slightly healthier end product.
The Jamie Oliver Method
Jamie Oliver has his own unique method for cooking bacon in the oven that produces delicious results. He recommends using two 1/3-inch thick slices of a simple standard white crusty loaf and back-bacon for his sarnie. Jamie rubs a little olive oil on a baking sheet and the bacon, then blasts it in the oven under the broiler until golden and crispy. This encourages the fat end of the bacon to curl up, creating a little pond of delicious bacon juice in the middle.
Once the bacon is cooked, Jamie removes the baking sheet from the oven and pushes the bacon aside. He then lays the bread in the fat for a few seconds before assembling, letting the bacon slices sit on the bed of bread like spooning lovers. Jamie cuts his sandwich diagonally from corner to corner and serves it with a bit of HP sauce for dipping.
To achieve a bit of crunch to his bread, Jamie chars it on the griddle, which picks up a little fat, a little crunch, and a lot of flavor, adding to the whole barbecue effect. This method also allows for the softer side of the bread to soak up some of the ambrosial bacon grease. Overall, Jamie’s method produces a delicious and satisfying bacon sandwich that is sure to please any bacon lover.
Preparing The Bacon
Before cooking bacon in the oven, there are a few steps you should take to ensure that it cooks evenly and comes out delicious. First, make sure to take the bacon out of the fridge about 15-20 minutes before cooking. Allowing it to come to room temperature will help it cook up better, just like steak.
Next, decide on the method you want to use for cooking your bacon in the oven. You can either place the bacon directly on the baking sheet or use a wire rack set over a baking sheet for extra crispy bacon. If you’re using a wire rack, make sure to line the baking sheet with foil to catch any drippings.
Once you’ve prepared your baking sheet, lay out the bacon slices without overlapping them. This helps the fat render slowly and ensures that each slice cooks evenly. You can also drizzle a little bit of olive oil over the slices and rub it in with your hands to help prevent sticking and promote even cooking.
When you’re ready to cook, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and place your baking sheet on the middle rack. Let the bacon cook for about 15-20 minutes, depending on how crispy you like it. Keep an eye on it towards the end of the cooking time to make sure it doesn’t burn.
Once your bacon is done, remove it from the oven and transfer it to a plate lined with paper towels. This will help absorb any excess grease and keep your bacon crispy. And there you have it – perfectly cooked bacon that’s easy, delicious, and mess-free!
Setting Up The Oven
Before you start cooking bacon in the oven, it’s important to set up your oven properly. The first step is to check the number of rack positions your oven has. This will vary from oven to oven, but typically ranges from three to seven. Choose the rack position that’s best suited for the type of bacon you’re cooking.
If you’re using a convection oven, it’s recommended to use the lower rack for baking and roasting large cuts of meat, and the center of the oven for standard cuts. The top rack should be used for broiling. For electric ovens, position the rack in the center unless otherwise stated in the recipe. If you’re using a gas oven and want to broil, you may have a broiler drawer located on the bottom of the oven. However, if you want your food to get more browning or crispness within the oven cavity, position your rack higher up.
Remember that with gas ovens, heat fluctuates, so rotate your dishes to ensure even heat distribution. Also, make sure that dishes are arranged in a way that doesn’t block heat from reaching items that may be on the upper rack.
Preheating your oven is essential before cooking bacon in the oven. Set your oven temperature to 400°F (200°C) and allow it to preheat fully before placing your bacon in the oven. This ensures that your bacon cooks evenly and according to the recipe’s specified cooking time.
Once your oven has preheated, prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or aluminum foil. This helps prevent sticking and makes cleaning up easier. Place your bacon slices on the prepared baking sheet, making sure to leave some space between each slice.
Finally, add some flavor by drizzling a little bit of olive oil over the bacon slices and rubbing it in with your hands. This helps evenly distribute heat and prevents sticking.
By properly setting up your oven before cooking bacon in it, you can ensure that your bacon cooks evenly and according to the recipe’s specified cooking time.
Cooking The Bacon
There are a few different methods for cooking bacon in the oven, and each one has its own unique benefits. Here are some of the most popular methods:
Method 1: Baking Sheet
To cook bacon using a baking sheet, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil, then place your bacon slices on the sheet, making sure they don’t overlap. Drizzle a little bit of olive oil over the bacon slices to help them cook evenly and prevent sticking. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and golden brown.
Method 2: Wire Rack
For extra-crispy bacon, you can use a wire rack instead of a baking sheet. Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place a wire rack on top of the foil-lined sheet, then arrange your bacon slices on the rack. Bake for 10-20 minutes, or until the bacon is browned and starts to ripple.
Method 3: Curly Bacon
If you need to cook a large amount of bacon quickly, try the “Curly Bacon” method. Heat a large skillet over medium/high heat and add your bacon slices, making sure they overlap or fold over each other. Sautee for 10-15 minutes, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or spatula, until the bacon is crispy and curled up.
No matter which method you choose, it’s important to keep an eye on your bacon towards the end of the cooking time to prevent burning. Once it’s done, transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess grease before serving.
Serving And Enjoying Your Perfectly Cooked Bacon
Now that you have your perfectly cooked bacon, it’s time to serve and enjoy it. The possibilities are endless when it comes to serving bacon, but here are a few ideas to get you started.
First and foremost, bacon is a classic breakfast food. Serve it alongside some scrambled eggs, toast, and a cup of coffee for a delicious and satisfying morning meal. You can also use your bacon to make breakfast sandwiches or breakfast burritos.
Bacon can also be used as a topping on salads or baked potatoes. The salty, savory flavor of the bacon pairs well with fresh greens or fluffy baked potatoes.
If you’re looking for a snack or appetizer, try making bacon-wrapped dates or bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers. These bite-sized treats are sure to be a hit at any party or gathering.
And let’s not forget about the classic BLT sandwich. Layer your perfectly cooked bacon on some toasted bread with lettuce, tomato, and mayo for a delicious lunchtime treat.
No matter how you choose to serve your bacon, one thing is for sure: it’s always a crowd-pleaser. So go ahead and indulge in this crispy, savory treat – you deserve it!