How Long to Bake Bacon at 400°F for Perfectly Crispy Strips

Baking bacon in the oven has become a game-changer for many home cooks, and for good reason. It’s an incredibly easy, hands-off method, especially when you’re cooking for more than just a couple of people. If you’re aiming for that ideal crispy bacon, setting your oven to 400°F (200°C) is often considered the sweet spot. At this temperature, the bacon renders beautifully and crisps up without burning, typically in about 20 minutes.

Crispy oven-baked bacon served on a white plate, showcasing its perfect texture and color.

For years, pan-frying was the go-to method for cooking bacon. And while it might be suitable for a few slices, the oven truly shines when you need to cook a larger batch. Oven-baked bacon cooks more evenly, minimizing the risk of burnt edges and undercooked centers. The result is consistently delicious bacon that strikes the perfect balance between crispy and satisfyingly chewy, depending on your preference.

Ingredients for Oven Baked Bacon

This recipe is wonderfully simple, requiring just one key ingredient:

Bacon: 8 ounces of your preferred bacon. This is usually one standard package.

For best results, use medium-thickness bacon slices. This thickness cooks evenly at 400°F in the suggested time. If you opt for thick-cut or very thin bacon, you’ll need to adjust the baking time accordingly. Keep in mind that some bacon packages may contain 12 ounces. If you’re using a larger package, ensure you use two baking sheets to avoid overcrowding, which can lead to steaming instead of crisping.

Flavor Variations for Baked Bacon

While bacon is delicious on its own, you can easily customize its flavor with a few simple additions before baking. Consider these tasty options to elevate your oven-baked bacon:

Freshly Ground Black Pepper: A classic and simple way to enhance the savory notes of bacon.
Garlic Powder: Adds a subtle savory depth that complements the smoky bacon flavor.
Smoked Paprika: Introduces a hint of smokiness that pairs beautifully with bacon.
Cayenne Pepper: For those who enjoy a little heat, a pinch of cayenne pepper adds a spicy kick.
Brown Sugar or Maple Syrup: For a touch of sweetness, lightly sprinkle brown sugar or a drizzle of maple syrup before baking. This caramelizes in the oven, creating a delightful sweet and savory bacon.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Baking Bacon at 400°F

Achieving perfectly cooked bacon in the oven at 400°F is straightforward. Here’s a detailed guide:

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Ensure your oven is fully preheated for even cooking.
Prepare your baking sheet. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup. For even crispier bacon, fit a wire rack inside the baking sheet. While a wire rack is recommended for optimal crispiness, you can bake bacon directly on the foil or parchment paper if you don’t have one.
Arrange the bacon slices. Lay the bacon slices in a single layer on the wire rack or directly on the prepared baking sheet. Avoid overlapping, as this will prevent the bacon from crisping evenly.
Bake in the preheated oven. Place the baking sheet in the center rack of your oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes. This is the ideal time for crispy bacon at 400°F.
Check for doneness. After 20 minutes, check the bacon for your desired level of crispiness. For chewier bacon, you might need less time, and for extra crispy bacon, you may need a few minutes more.
Remove from oven and drain (if necessary). Carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven using oven mitts. If you used a wire rack, the bacon is ready to serve. If you baked the bacon directly on the foil or parchment paper, transfer the bacon slices to a plate lined with paper towels for a minute or two to absorb any excess grease.
Serve and enjoy. Serve your perfectly oven-baked bacon immediately and enjoy!

Expert Tips for the Best Oven Bacon

To consistently achieve the best oven-baked bacon at 400°F, consider these expert tips:

Wire Rack: Optional but Recommended

While not mandatory, using a stainless steel wire rack placed inside your baking sheet is highly recommended, especially if you prefer extra-crispy bacon. The rack allows hot air to circulate around the bacon, promoting even cooking and crisping on all sides. It also allows the rendered fat to drip away from the bacon, preventing it from becoming soggy. Cleanup is also easier with a wire rack, especially if it’s dishwasher-safe.

Use a Rimmed Baking Sheet

Always use a rimmed baking sheet when cooking bacon in the oven. The rims are crucial for preventing hot bacon grease from spilling onto the oven floor, which can create a smoky mess and potentially a fire hazard.

Minimizing Grease Splatters

Baking bacon at 400°F generally produces less splatter than pan-frying. However, if you’re concerned about any splattering, you can loosely cover the baking sheet with a sheet of parchment paper during cooking. This will help contain any potential splatters without trapping steam, which can make the bacon soggy.

Achieving Your Desired Crispiness

The 20-minute mark at 400°F is a great starting point for crispy bacon. However, oven temperatures can vary, and personal preferences for bacon crispiness differ. Use these guidelines to achieve your perfect bacon texture:

Chewy Bacon: Start checking the bacon around 15 minutes. It will be cooked through but still flexible.
Crispy Bacon: 20 minutes at 400°F usually yields perfectly crispy bacon that snaps when you bite into it.
Extra-Crispy Bacon: For bacon with maximum crispiness, bake for around 25 minutes. Keep a close eye on it after 20 minutes to prevent burning, especially if your oven tends to run hot.

Remember, the best way to find your ideal baking time is to experiment with your oven and note the times that produce your preferred level of crispiness.

Fatty vs. Lean Bacon and Crispiness

The fat content of your bacon significantly affects the final crispiness. Bacon with higher fat content will generally become crispier than leaner bacon because the rendering fat helps to fry the bacon in the oven. If you’re using leaner bacon and desire extra crispiness, you might need to bake it for a few minutes longer, but watch it carefully to avoid drying it out.

Foil vs. Parchment Paper for Baking Bacon

For easy cleanup, both aluminum foil and parchment paper are excellent choices for lining your baking sheet. Surprisingly, tests have shown that there’s minimal difference in crispiness when using either foil or parchment paper. Choose whichever you have on hand or prefer for cleanup.

Don’t Discard the Bacon Grease!

After baking your bacon, you’ll be left with flavorful bacon grease in the baking sheet. Don’t throw it down the drain, as it can solidify and clog your pipes. Instead, save this liquid gold!

To store bacon grease for later use, carefully strain it through a fine-mesh strainer into a heat-safe glass jar to remove any bacon bits. Once cooled, seal the jar tightly and store it in the refrigerator for up to three months.

Bacon grease is a fantastic cooking fat that adds a rich, smoky flavor to many dishes. Use it in place of butter or oil to sauté vegetables, roast potatoes, or fry eggs. It’s particularly delicious for making scrambled eggs or omelets. You can also use it to add depth of flavor to dishes like fried hard-boiled eggs or spinach scrambles.

Frequently Asked Questions About Baking Bacon at 400°F

Is it better to bake bacon at 350°F or 400°F?

400°F is generally recommended for baking bacon. At this temperature, bacon crisps up nicely in around 20 minutes. Lower temperatures like 350°F will take longer and may result in less crispy bacon, while higher temperatures like 450°F increase the risk of burning the bacon before it’s fully cooked.

How long does it take to cook bacon in the oven at 400°F?

For crispy bacon, aim for about 20 minutes at 400°F. Thicker slices may require 25-30 minutes, while those preferring chewier bacon might find 15 minutes sufficient. Always monitor your bacon as oven temperatures vary.

Should I flip bacon when baking in the oven?

No, flipping bacon is unnecessary when baking it in the oven. The oven’s heat circulates evenly, cooking the bacon uniformly without needing to flip it.

How much bacon can I bake at once using this method?

A standard rimmed baking sheet can typically accommodate 8 ounces of bacon, or about 8 slices, in a single layer. If you need to cook larger quantities, use multiple baking sheets. Be mindful that baking sheets on different oven racks may cook at slightly different rates, so monitor them and remove each sheet when the bacon is done to your liking.

Serving Suggestions for Oven-Baked Bacon

Bacon is a versatile ingredient that’s not just for breakfast! While it’s a breakfast staple paired with eggs—especially fluffy scrambled eggs (cooked perhaps in some of that reserved bacon grease!) —oven-baked bacon can also enhance lunch and dinner dishes.

One classic and delightful breakfast is crispy oven bacon served with fried eggs and fresh berries.

Beyond breakfast, consider using oven bacon in:

BLT Sandwiches: Crispy bacon is a must for the perfect BLT.
Salads: Crumble crispy bacon over salads for added flavor and texture.
Pasta Dishes: Bacon bits can elevate pasta dishes like carbonara or mac and cheese.
Loaded Baked Potatoes: Top baked potatoes with bacon, cheese, and sour cream.
Burgers: Add crispy bacon to your burgers for an extra layer of deliciousness.

Storing Leftover Bacon

If you happen to have leftover oven-baked bacon (though it’s so delicious, this is rare!), you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply microwave it, covered with a paper towel, at 50% power until warmed through. Alternatively, cold bacon is also surprisingly tasty—almost like a savory deli meat!

More Delicious Bacon Recipes

Looking for more ways to enjoy bacon? Explore these other bacon-centric recipes:

(Note: In a real article, you would link to other relevant bacon recipes here)

Easy Oven Bacon Recipe Card

5 from 7 votes

Save Recipe Saved! Pin Recipe Share on Facebook Print Recipe

Easy Oven Bacon Recipe

This oven bacon recipe is incredibly simple and has quickly become a preferred method for cooking bacon, especially for crowds.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 88kcal
Author: Vered DeLeeuw

Ingredients

8 ounces bacon (about 8 strips)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack inside.
Arrange bacon slices in a single layer on the wire rack. Alternatively, place directly on foil or parchment paper.
Bake until desired crispiness is reached. Generally, bake for 15 minutes for chewy, 20 minutes for crispy, and 25 minutes for extra crispy.
If not using a rack, briefly drain cooked bacon on paper towels before serving.

Tried this recipe? Please help others by rating it and sharing your experience.

Video
(Note: In a real article, you would embed the video here)

Recipe Notes

Always use a rimmed baking sheet to prevent grease spills and potential oven fires.
To minimize splatters, loosely cover bacon with parchment paper while baking.
Use oven mitts when handling hot baking sheets.
Foil and parchment paper yield similar results for crispiness.
Flipping bacon is not necessary.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in microwave at 50% power.

Subscribe! Get weekly recipes and cooking tips delivered to your inbox! Unsubscribe anytime.

Nutrition per Serving

Disclaimers

Cup measurements are standard US cups (240ml). Recipes are often low-carb/keto and gluten-free, but verify ingredients to ensure they meet your dietary needs. Nutrition information is approximate and may contain errors. Use common sense when following recipes and read the Terms of Use carefully.

Share this Recipe

2.1K shares

Share on Facebook