For the sake of honesty, I will start off with this; in my opinion the best way to cook bacon is in a good non stick frying pan, but that's not to say you can't cook bacon in the oven, or that your shouldn't. There are many good reason why you might want to. Maybe you've just cleaned the hob, or you're out of cleans pans? Whatever the reason, sometimes it needs to be done, and we're here to tell you how.
It should also be said that oven baked bacon does offer some benefits, especially when you're cooking for a lot of people (you can fit more bacon in the oven than a frying pan), or you're trying to avoid the mess of the frying pan splatter, or perhaps you live with someone who objects to the house smelling like bacon after you've whipped up a sandwich. In the latter case, you live with a psycho and you should definitely make them move out. Anyway, here's how to cook bacon in the oven.
Method
- Remove bacon from packaging.
- Arrange the rashers of bacon on a wire rack and place the rack inside a large baking dish. This allows the heat to move around, cooking both sides of the bacon evenly, but also allows the fat to drain off into the dish without making a mess of your oven.
- Place in a pre heated oven at gas mark 5 /190C /170C fan and cook for around 15-20 minutes, or until the bacon is golden in colour. If you like it crispy, cook it a bit longer.
- Remove from the oven and serve hot.
Bacon Fat
One great thing about cooking bacon in the oven is that the bacon fat renders off into the dish. This means we can either let the fat cool and store it in the fridge to use for cooking things like roast potatoes, or sautéed veg, or we can dip some white bread in it while it's still nice and hot. I know which I will be doing.
Pan Fried Bacon
Another option for cooking bacon is to Cook Bacon in a Frying Pan, which, in my opinion, is the best way to cook bacon.
Cooking Bacon Under the Grill
Well, being as I've mentioned cooking bacon in the oven, it seems only fair to mention the grill. Cooking Bacon Under the Grill is great alternative to frying, especially if you're trying to avoid cooking in oil.
Serving Suggestion
Serve as part of a full English or on a sandwich.
Please ensure that all products are cooked through and that the centre of the deepest part of the meat is piping hot before serving. Enjoy!
