As simple as it may sound, cooking bacon crispy in the oven poses its set of challenges. Most of the times, bacon turns out chewy, rubbery and does not get as crispy as you want it to be.
Following the temperature and timing to cook bacon in the oven is not the only procedure to take. There are detailed steps to achieve crispiness when preparing bacon in the oven.
How do you bake crispy bacon in the oven? To bake bacon crispy in the oven, transfer the slices on a single layers and avoid overlapping.
Place the baking sheet on the center rack in the oven for even heating, then turn on the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit or 232 degrees Celsius. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until reaching your desired crispiness without burning.
For extra crispy bacon, coating with all-purpose flour before baking helps to dry the surface for crisping while maintaining moisture and juiciness. Single layer the coated bacon on the sheet pan and cover with another sheet of parchment paper.
Applying these simple tricks to bake bacon will help you to achieve a crispy and yummy meal. From thick to thin cut bacon, the thickness will require different temperature setting and cooking time.
This article answered frequently asked questions about baking bacon in the oven to make it crispy. Additionally, there are concerns for how to keep bacon crispy when not serving right away.
Can you make crispy bacon in the oven?
Yes, it is easy to make crispy bacon in the oven. The oven has even heating without heat source coming from one direction like a stovetop.
Preparing bacon strips in the oven is straightforward, and especially important when serving a large group. Placing bacon strips in a single layer with enough space around will increase air circulation and make the edges crisp up nicely.
Lightly coating bacon strips with all-purpose flour expedites crisping on the surface, and prevent bacon splattering by placing another sheet of parchment paper on top before baking.
To nail the crispiness, closely monitor and ensure each slice is cooked just as you want it without overdoing it and burning. In fact, there is a fine line between crispy bacon and burnt bacon, and the results are not as exciting if cross that boundary.
How long does bacon take to get crispy in the oven?
Generally, cooking crispy bacon in the oven takes about 18 to 20 minutes. To prevent hotspots in the oven from burning the bacon, turn the baking sheet after 10 minutes or half ways through the cook time.
Keep in mind to not cook bacon over 400 degrees Fahrenheit or 204 degrees Celsius because excessively high temperature will cause it to crisp and burn more easily.
When cooking bacon lower than 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 177 degrees Celsius, it takes longer and results in a rubbery or chewy bacon texture.
As a result, 400 degrees Fahrenheit or 204 degrees Celsius is the perfect temperature to get crispy bacon in the oven.
As you approach the end of the cooking time, check the crispiness and add another minute or two if needed. Be cautious because bacon goes from crisp to burnt relatively quickly.
Depending on the thickness, number of pieces and exact doneness, the cooking time will vary to get crispy bacon in the oven:
- Thin-cut bacon: 12 minutes
- Thick-cut bacon: 14 to 20 minutes
How do you keep bacon crisp in the oven?
When serving crispy bacon in a short while, lower the oven temperature to 200 degrees Fahrenheit or 93 degrees Celsius and position in center of the baking rack. Lay the cooked bacon strips out on a baking sheet and keep in the warm oven until serving.
Additionally, leaving the oven door 1 to 2 inches open will keep the bacon crispy for hours.
Once the bacon is cooked and crispy, storing cooked bacon to maintain its crispiness without getting chewy and soft is a common issue.
The problem with cooked bacon is to avoid steam because moisture actually makes bacon floppy and immediately loses its crispness. Covering bacon with a paper towel or foil can trap steam, so let the bacon cool down completely before covering for storage.
To serve next day, simply place on a paper towel lined plate and cover with foil or plastic wrap. The paper towel will absorb any excess grease and moisture to retain its crispiness.
Tips to bake bacon in oven crispy
There are many styles to serve bacon from chewy to floppy, crispy, and medium. Making bacon crispy in the oven requires more than temperature setting and cooking time.
Here are useful tips to bake bacon in the oven crispy:
- Do not overcrowd the bacon strips. Arrange the bacon strips in a single layer and position enough space around each strip.
- Lightly coat the bacon slices with all-purpose flour to quickly achieve extra crispiness.
- Transfer cooked bacon onto paper towel lined plate to absorb any additional moisture or grease to help crisp even furthermore.
- After cooking, lower the oven temperature to warm and crispy bacon will hold its texture for hours.
- Before storing bacon, allow it completely cool down to maintain its crispness and prevent from trapping steam when covering with foil or plastic wrap.
Crispy Bacon in Oven: Conclusion
Oven is the best method to achieve crisp texture easily compared to stovetop cooking or microwaving crispy bacon.
When using oven to bake bacon to make it crispy, avoid overlapping and arrange in a single layer with enough space around each strip. Place baking sheet on the center rack for even heating from top to bottom, so that the meat crisps all around without burning.
However, there are additional techniques like dusting the bacon with flour or starting the oven with the bacon inside that will result in extra crispy bacon. With the proper baking time and temperature, use these oven cooking tips to enjoy crispy bacon every time.