Bacon Bliss: Full Sheet Pan

Cooking bacon on a full sheet pan in the oven is a great way to make a large batch of bacon without the mess of frying it on the stovetop. It's also a more hands-off method, as you don't need to flip the bacon or shield your kitchen from grease. You can also save the bacon grease to use in other dishes.

Oven-baked bacon is less messy and easier than pan-frying

Cooking bacon in the oven is less messy and easier than pan-frying.

When cooking bacon on the stove, you may end up with splatters all over your stove top and hot spots on the pan. This means certain pieces of bacon may cook faster than others, leaving you with some slices that are accidentally charred and others that are still undercooked.

Cooking bacon in the oven, on the other hand, ensures that all slices are cooked evenly as the heat surrounds them. They slowly sizzle and don't splatter, resulting in evenly cooked bacon.

To cook bacon in the oven, simply preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminium foil, lay the bacon slices on the baking sheet, and cook for 10 to 20 minutes or until the bacon is as crispy as you'd like.

Cooking bacon in the oven is also great when you're cooking for a crowd, as you can fit a lot more bacon on a baking sheet than in a pan. It's also much cleaner, as there are no splatters to worry about, and it frees up your time, allowing you to multitask in the kitchen while the bacon cooks.

So, if you're looking for a less messy, easier, and more efficient way to cook bacon, give oven-baking a try! You may never go back to pan-frying again.

Cooking bacon in the oven is healthier

Cooking bacon in the oven is also safer and easier. The bacon cooks evenly, without the need to flip it, and there is no risk of burning yourself with hot grease. The oven method also frees up your time, as you can leave the bacon to cook without needing to supervise it. You can use the time to prepare other dishes or whip up a batch of pancakes or waffles.

To cook bacon in the oven, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet or tray with parchment paper or aluminium foil for easy cleanup. Place the bacon slices side-by-side on the tray, ensuring they do not overlap. Cook the bacon for 10 to 20 minutes, depending on your desired level of crispiness. Thicker bacon will take longer to cook, and you may need to rotate the pan halfway through to ensure even cooking.

Once the bacon is cooked to your liking, transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess grease. You can save the bacon grease to use in other dishes, such as roasted vegetables or braised meats. Simply pour the hot grease through a fine mesh sieve into a glass jar and store it in the refrigerator.

Bacon grease can be saved and used for future cooking

Bacon grease is like liquid gold and can be saved and used for future cooking. It adds a smoky, flavorful depth to dishes, from fried eggs to roasted vegetables, and even desserts. Here's how to save and use bacon grease:

Saving Bacon Grease

First, let the grease cool slightly after cooking. Then, use a fine-mesh strainer or coffee filter to strain out any bacon bits into a heat-proof container. You can also use a cheesecloth or nut milk bag for straining. Make sure to use a glass or metal container as plastic can melt, and grease should be stored in the refrigerator or freezer. Bacon grease can be stored for three to six months in the refrigerator and up to a year or more in the freezer.

Using Bacon Grease in Cooking

Bacon grease can be used for a variety of cooking applications. Here are some ideas:

• Frying: Use bacon grease instead of oil or butter to fry eggs, meats, vegetables, hash browns, or grilled cheese sandwiches.
• Seasoning Cast-Iron Pans: Rub bacon grease into a new cast-iron pan to instill a savory, meaty flavor.
• Soup Base: Use bacon grease to prepare meats or vegetables for soup, or replace butter or other fats in a roux.
• Butter Substitute: Use bacon grease as a savory substitute for butter on toast, cornbread, or in baking projects like cookies.
• Popcorn: Melt bacon grease to make popcorn.
• Salad Dressing: Use liquid bacon grease to make a warm bacon dressing for a salad.

By saving and using bacon grease, you can add a boost of flavor to your cooking and reduce waste.

Bacon cooked in the oven doesn't need to be flipped

Cooking bacon in the oven is a great way to make a big batch of bacon without the mess and hassle of using a stovetop. It's also a more hands-off approach, allowing you to multitask in the kitchen.

When cooking bacon in the oven, you don't need to flip the bacon. Simply lay the bacon slices on a baking sheet or sheet pan lined with foil or parchment paper and place it in the oven. The bacon will bubble away and gradually become crispy and golden, with no need for flipping.

The oven temperature and cooking time may vary depending on your preferences and the thickness of the bacon. For regular sliced bacon, cook at 400°F for about 14 minutes. For thick-cut bacon, you may need to increase the temperature to 425°F and cook for 18-20 minutes. If you like your bacon extra crispy, you can place a metal cooling rack over the baking sheet, which allows the bacon to cook from all sides.

Cooking bacon in the oven is a convenient and mess-free way to prepare a large amount of bacon with minimal effort. You can also save the bacon grease by pouring it through a fine-mesh strainer into a heatproof container and refrigerating it for future use.

Bacon can be cooked on parchment paper or aluminium foil

To cook bacon on parchment paper, first preheat your oven to 400°F. Then, line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, making sure there is overhang on all sides for easy cleanup. Place the bacon in a single layer on the parchment paper, leaving a bit of space between each slice. It's okay if the pieces touch, but don't let them overlap as they won't cook properly and may stick together.

Cook the bacon for 10 to 20 minutes, depending on your desired level of crispiness. For thin bacon or if you prefer your bacon chewy, aim for 15 to 20 minutes. For thick-cut bacon or if you like your bacon crispy, cook for 25 to 30 minutes. Check on your bacon after about 10 minutes, as ovens vary in temperature and cooking time. Once it's reached your desired level of doneness, remove the bacon from the oven and transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate to cool and crisp up.

Cooking bacon on aluminium foil follows a similar process. Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a large baking sheet with aluminium foil, ensuring the foil extends up the sides of the pan to capture all the bacon grease. You can also use a baking rack to line the pan, which will make the bacon crispier and allow the grease to drip off as it cooks. Place the bacon strips on the prepared baking sheet, or on the rack if using one. It's okay if the slices overlap slightly as the bacon will shrink while cooking.

Place the pan in the oven and cook the bacon for 14 to 20 minutes, depending on your desired level of crispiness. You don't need to flip the bacon during cooking. Once it's done, transfer the bacon to paper towel-lined plates to cool and crisp up.

Both methods produce perfectly crispy, delicious bacon without the mess and hassle of stovetop cooking. They are also great for cooking large batches of bacon, making them ideal for feeding a crowd or meal prep.

Frequently asked questions