For years, I battled the bacon. The splattering grease, the constant turning, the uneven cooking – it felt like a culinary wrestling match every weekend. Then, I discovered a method that completely changed my approach, and honestly, I’ll never go back. This isn’t about brute force or fancy gadgets; it’s about letting the oven do the hard work for you.
The secret? Baking. Yes, you read that right. While some might scoff, this hands-off approach delivers perfectly crispy, evenly cooked bacon every single time, with minimal fuss. Here’s how I do it, and why you’ll probably want to ditch your skillet too:
- Prep is a Breeze: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup. Arrange your bacon strips in a single layer on the prepared sheet. Don’t overlap them; give them space to crisp up.
- The Magic in the Oven: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven. The cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of your bacon and your desired level of crispness, but typically, it’s between 15-20 minutes. Keep an eye on it, especially towards the end. You’re looking for a beautiful golden-brown hue and those irresistible crispy edges.
- The Grand Finale: Carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven. Use tongs to transfer the cooked bacon to a plate lined with paper towels. This step absorbs any excess grease and ensures maximum crispiness. The result? Perfectly rendered, shatteringly crisp bacon without a single splatter in sight.
Why is this my go-to method? Firstly, the consistency is unmatched. Every slice cooks at the same temperature, leading to uniform crispness throughout. Secondly, the cleanup is ridiculously simple – often just a matter of tossing the parchment paper. Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, it frees you up. While the bacon is doing its thing in the oven, you can focus on preparing the rest of your breakfast, making your morning routine so much more relaxed.
So, next time you’re craving that smoky, savory goodness, give this hands-off baking method a try. Your kitchen (and your sanity) will thank you.