Bacon lovers, if you've ever wrestled with bacon grease splattering all over your stovetop or struggled to cook bacon evenly, you're in for a treat. Oven baked bacon isn’t just a method—it’s a revelation. It's the easiest way to get crispy bacon with minimal effort, less mess, and a whole lot of flavor. Whether you're a fan of thick-cut bacon, center-cut bacon, or the good ol’ regular bacon, this method works for all. Plus, it’s perfect for making large batches of bacon to feed a crowd or meal prep for the week ahead.

The Best Method for Crispy Oven Baked Bacon
If you’ve never had oven-baked bacon before, it might seem too good to be true. But trust me—this is the ultimate kitchen hack for achieving delicious bacon with crisp edges every single time.
What Makes Oven Bacon So Special?
- Customizable Crispiness: Whether you love extra crispy bacon or prefer it a bit chewy, the oven lets you control the texture to suit your personal preference.
- Even Cooking: Unlike frying, where bacon cooks unevenly, oven bacon ensures every strip gets crispy perfection.
- Less Mess: With a lined sheet pan and a baking rack, cleanup is a breeze. No more greasy stovetops!
- Hands-Off Cooking: Pop it in a preheated oven, set a timer, and walk away.

Step-by-Step Guide to Perfect Bacon
What You'll Need:
- A sheet pan: Large enough to hold all your bacon slices in a single layer.
- Parchment paper or foil: For easy cleanup.
- A baking rack: This allows the bacon fat to drip away, resulting in crisp bacon.
Instructions:
Prep Your Pan:
Line the sheet pan with a sheet of parchment paper or foil, then place a baking rack on top. This setup helps the bacon cook evenly and keeps it out of the grease.
Lay Out Your Bacon Strips:
Arrange strips of bacon in a single layer on the rack, making sure they don't overlap. Overlapping prevents them from crisping up properly.
Add Some Flavor:
Sprinkle fresh cracked pepper or your favorite seasonings over the bacon slices for a little extra flair.
Bake Bacon in a Preheated Oven:
Set your oven to 400°F and slide the pan of bacon into the oven. No need to wait for it to preheat fully—this actually helps render the bacon fat more evenly.
Check for Crispiness:
After 15 minutes, start checking the bacon for your desired crispness. For extra crispy bacon, let it bake for a few more minutes.
Cool and Enjoy:
Once the bacon is golden brown with crisp edges, remove it from the oven and let it cool slightly on the rack.

Tips for the Perfect Oven Baked Bacon Every Time
- Thick-Cut vs. Regular Bacon: Thick-cut bacon takes a bit longer to bake but delivers a meaty texture that bacon lovers adore.
- Save the Bacon Fat: Pour the rendered bacon fat into a heat-safe container and use it for cooking veggies, eggs, or even popcorn!
- Easy Cleanup: Discard the foil or parchment paper once the bacon fat cools, and your sheet pan stays spotless.
- Experiment with Flavors: Try brushing the bacon with maple syrup or sprinkling it with brown sugar for a sweet twist.
Why You'll Love This Oven Baked Bacon Recipe
This method checks all the boxes:
- Perfect for a big batch of bacon.
- Makes cleanup a breeze with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
- Great for meal prep, BLTs, or breakfast spreads.
- Reliable results every time—crispy baked bacon that’s impossible to resist!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I bake bacon in the oven?
It depends on the thickness of the bacon and your desired crispness. Start checking at 15 minutes, but thick-cut bacon may take up to 20 minutes.
Should I flip the bacon while it bakes?
Nope! That’s one of the perks of baking bacon—you don’t need to flip it. The oven’s even heat takes care of both sides.
Can I use a pan without a wire rack?
Yes, but the bacon won’t be as crisp since it will cook in its own fat. A baking rack helps the fat drip away, ensuring crispy edges.
What’s the best way to store cooked bacon?
Store leftover bacon in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat it in a preheated oven or air fryer to restore its crispness.
So, there you have it: the easiest way to cook bacon that’s crispy, flavorful, and fuss-free. Whether you’re a die-hard bacon lover or just need a reliable method to bake bacon for a crowd, this recipe is the perfect solution.
Say goodbye to stovetop splatters and hello to crisp, golden bacon strips that’ll make your breakfast (or any meal) shine. Trust me—once you try this method, you’ll never look back.
If you’ve tried the Extra Crispy Oven Baked Bacon Recipe, I would be so grateful if you would rate it. Let me know what you think in the comments below. I just love hearing from you and your reviews and comments really help others that visit This Mess is Ours!
PrintExtra Crispy Oven Baked Bacon
Want to bake thick cut bacon? You totally can, but you will need to increase the baking time and just keep an eye on it so that it doesn't burn!
Don’t forget to rate the recipe, and let me know what you think about this Oven Baked Bacon in the comments below. I just love hearing from you and your reviews/comments really help other people that visit This Mess is Ours!
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 20 mins
- Yield: 1 pack of bacon 1x
Ingredients
- 1 pack gluten free bacon, we really like Applegate, not thick cut
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with tin foil then place a baking rack on top. (I have a rack for cooling cookies that I use for making bacon too.) Arrange the bacon on the rack in an even layer without the bacon slices touching or overlapping. Sprinkle fresh cracked peper over the top according to taste.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and immediatly place the pan with the bacon in the oven. Let cook for 15 minutes before checking on the bacon for desired crispness. I usually go about 17-18 minutes because we like it really crispy.
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So now you have your meat, it’s time for our 3 favorite veggie main pairings!

Huevos Rancheros Breakfast Salad || Seriously, who doesn't LOVE huevos rancheros in all of its forms? We've made just about every version imaginable of this classic Mexican breakfast and it never gets old! Whichever version I serve, my kids and I always douse ours in a hearty dose of bacon "sprinkles" for an extra layer of flavor.
Crispy Eggplant Bacon Breakfast Bowl || While the star of this recipe is the crispy eggplant bacon, the rest of the bowl is a pretty phenomenal recipe on its own. Todd loves the veggie based version. Our kids pile theirs high with crispy oven baked bacon. I greedily pile my bowl high with both! To each their own!

Fried Green Tomato Po'boys || I'm from the south and you know what they say, "You can take the girl out of the south, but you can' t take the south out of the girl!" Fried green tomatoes are my jam. I just love how they take me back to my Papa's garden as a little girl. This rich sandwich screams for salty strips of bacon to balance the tart green tomatoes and spicy Cajun rémoulade sauce!!
Pam says
Been cooking bacon this way for years! Spray the rack with pam or other type of spray for easier clean up. Also good with brown sugar and chopped pecans on top of bacon! Yum Yum....
meg@thismessisours says
Oh Pam! You are speaking my love language! Pecans and brown sugar over bacon - YUM!!! I love your cooking spray tip. That is brilliant - thanks for sharing!