The Best Timing And Temperature To Bake Crispy Bacon

When diners across the country open their doors in the wee hours of the morning, the regulars who look forward to a delicious breakfast every day are practically always greeted by the savory, enticing aroma of freshly cooked bacon. It graces nearly every plate that goes out of the kitchen, and without it, many argue that breakfast just wouldn't be the same. Yet, if you think there is a chef in the back diligently frying each slice of bacon to crispy perfection, think again.

Restaurants don't have all day to cook bacon for all their hungry guests, so many utilize a high-temperature oven to bake it for the masses. Like many other restaurant hacks, this is a technique you can — and should — employ at home. All it takes is a sheet pan, some parchment paper, and an oven preheated to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Set your pan of bacon in the oven for 10 to 20 minutes, turn it once when half-done to ensure it bakes evenly, and you'll have a plate full of crispy, tempting meat before you know it.

Cranking the oven up high guarantees that both thinner strips and those ultra-thick pieces all get cooked through — the skinnier slabs are just done sooner. The correct temperature is key to your pork becoming crispy, so use a quality thermometer to help ensure your oven temperature is accurate. Baking bacon in the oven is a huge time-saver, but this method of cooking the candy bar of meats has other advantages as well.

Whether you fry, microwave, or elevate bacon by throwing it on the grill, there isn't really a wrong way to prepare those fragrant strips of fatty deliciousness, so long as you pay attention. Folks have various tips for how to cook bacon best but baking it in the oven is arguably the most efficient way to go about it. While you could bake it at a lower temperature, it will take much longer to crisp up to perfection than if you crank the oven up to 400 degrees. However, it is crucial not overcrowd the pan so every piece cooks evenly when using those higher temperatures.

One of the best parts about baking bacon in the oven is the precious liquid remains of the meat can be used for various culinary tasks, like using that bacon fat to grease a pan before frying eggs or adding a bit of smoky flavor to roasted veggies. Once the temperature has come down but the grease is still in liquid form, pour it through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a glass jar. As long as the grease stays refrigerated in an airtight container, it should last up to six months. Consider it the smoky, savory bonus you get from baking bacon as the professionals do.