For years, I battled bacon. Splattering grease, uneven cooking, and constant babysitting – it felt more like a chore than a breakfast staple. Then, I discovered the hands-off magic of oven-baked bacon, and my mornings (and brunch game) were forever changed.
Forget standing over a hot stove, dodging fiery projectiles. Oven bacon is ridiculously easy. Here’s why it’s the only way I’ll ever cook it again:
- Perfectly Crispy, Every Time: The even heat of the oven ensures consistent cooking, resulting in uniformly crispy bacon without any burnt edges or chewy middles.
- Hands-Off Convenience: This is the real game-changer. Simply arrange your bacon on a baking sheet, pop it in the oven, and walk away! No flipping, no splattering, no constant monitoring.
- Less Mess: Say goodbye to greasy stovetops! The baking sheet contains the mess, making cleanup a breeze. Line it with parchment paper for even easier cleaning!
- Batch Cooking Made Easy: The oven allows you to cook large batches of bacon at once, perfect for feeding a crowd or meal prepping.
- Customizable Flavors: Experiment with different bacon thicknesses, seasonings (pepper, brown sugar, paprika!), and even maple syrup for a sweet and savory twist.
Here’s the simple method:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper (optional, but recommended for easy cleanup).
- Arrange bacon strips in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Avoid overlapping.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the bacon is cooked to your desired level of crispiness. Baking time will vary depending on the thickness of the bacon.
- Remove from oven and transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess grease.
- Enjoy!
Oven-baked bacon isn’t just easier, it’s better. Ditch the stovetop struggle and embrace the effortless deliciousness of oven bacon. You’ll never go back!