For the sake of honesty, I’ll start with this: in my opinion, the best way to cook bacon is still in a good non-stick frying pan. But that’s not to say you can’t cook bacon in the oven, or that you shouldn’t.

There are plenty of good reasons to cook bacon in the oven. Maybe you’ve just cleaned the hob. Maybe you’re cooking for a few people and need more space. Maybe you want less splatter. Or maybe you live with someone who objects to the whole house smelling like bacon after you’ve whipped up a sandwich. In that case, you live with a psycho and should probably make them move out.

Anyway, oven-cooked bacon does have its place. It is easy, tidy, and especially useful when you are cooking a full tray of bacon for breakfast, brunch, sandwiches or burgers.

Can You Cook Bacon in the Oven?

Yes, you can cook bacon in the oven, and it works really well.

The oven gives steady heat, cooks the bacon evenly, and means you do not have to stand over a frying pan turning rashers one by one. It is also handy if you are cooking a bigger batch, because you can fit more bacon on a tray than you can in most pans.

For best results, cook the bacon on a wire rack set inside a baking tray or roasting dish. This lets the heat move around the bacon and allows the fat to drip down into the tray.

What Temperature Should You Cook Bacon in the Oven?

Cook bacon in the oven at 190°C / 170°C fan / Gas Mark 5.

This gives enough heat to cook the bacon properly and render the fat without burning it too quickly. If you like your bacon really crisp, you can leave it in for a few extra minutes, but keep an eye on it near the end.

How Long Does Bacon Take in the Oven?

Bacon usually takes around 15 to 20 minutes in the oven at 190°C / 170°C fan / Gas Mark 5.

The exact time depends on the thickness of the bacon, whether you are cooking back bacon or streaky bacon, and how crispy you like it.

• Back bacon: around 15 to 18 minutes
• Streaky bacon: around 18 to 22 minutes
• Extra crispy bacon: cook for a few minutes longer, watching closely

Use the timing as a guide, but judge it by colour and texture. When the bacon is golden and cooked to your liking, it is ready.

How to Cook Bacon in the Oven

This is the simple oven method for cooking bacon. It works for back bacon, streaky bacon and dry cured bacon.

Ingredients

• Bacon rashers

Method

1. Preheat the oven - Preheat your oven to 190°C / 170°C fan / Gas Mark 5.
2. Prepare the tray - Place a wire rack inside a large baking tray or roasting dish.
3. Arrange the bacon - Lay the bacon rashers on the wire rack in a single layer. Try not to overlap them.
4. Cook - Place the tray in the oven and cook for around 15 to 20 minutes, or until the bacon is golden and cooked to your liking.
5. Cook longer for crispy bacon - If you like your bacon crispier, cook it for a few extra minutes, keeping an eye on it so it does not burn.
6. Serve - Remove from the oven and serve hot.

Should You Cook Bacon on a Rack or Tray?

For the best oven-cooked bacon, use a wire rack set inside a tray.

The rack lifts the bacon up, allowing heat to circulate around the rashers and letting the fat drip into the tray below. This helps the bacon cook more evenly and stops it sitting in its own fat.

You can cook bacon directly on a lined baking tray if you prefer, but it may need turning halfway through and it can be a little greasier.

Do You Need to Turn Bacon in the Oven?

If you cook bacon on a wire rack, you do not usually need to turn it.

The heat can move around both sides of the bacon, so it cooks fairly evenly. If you are cooking it directly on a baking tray, it is worth turning the rashers halfway through to help both sides colour.

How to Make Crispy Bacon in the Oven

For crispy bacon in the oven, use streaky bacon and cook it on a wire rack.

Streaky bacon has more fat than back bacon, which means it crisps up beautifully when the fat renders. Cook it until golden and crisp, then let it sit for a minute or two before serving.

If you are using back bacon and want it crispier, cook it slightly longer, but keep an eye on the lean part so it does not dry out too much.

What About the Bacon Fat?

One great thing about cooking bacon in the oven is that the bacon fat renders off neatly into the tray.

You can let the fat cool and store it in the fridge to use for cooking things like roast potatoes, fried eggs, hash browns or sautéed vegetables.

Or, while it is still hot, you can dip a bit of white bread in it. I know which one I’ll be doing.

Can You Cook Bacon in Foil or Baking Paper?

Yes, you can line the tray with foil or baking paper to make cleanup easier.

If you are using a wire rack, line the tray underneath to catch the fat. If you are cooking bacon directly on a tray, foil or baking paper helps stop it sticking and makes the tray easier to clean afterwards.

Is Oven Bacon Better Than Pan-Fried Bacon?

It depends what you want.

For flavour and control, I still prefer pan-fried bacon. You can turn it, move it around, and get the exact finish you want.

For convenience, batch cooking and less mess, oven bacon is brilliant. It is especially useful when you are cooking for a family breakfast, brunch, sandwiches, burgers or a full English.

Other Ways to Cook Bacon

Oven cooking is just one option. You can also cook bacon in a frying pan or under the grill.

If you want the classic pan method, read our guide on how to cook bacon in a pan.

If you prefer grilled bacon, see our guide on how to grill bacon.

For a full overview of the main methods, see our guide on how to cook bacon.

What to Serve with Oven-Cooked Bacon

Oven-cooked bacon works with all the usual favourites.

Good serving ideas include:

• A full English breakfast
• Bacon sandwiches
• Pancakes with maple syrup
• Burgers
• Loaded fries
• Salads
• Jacket potatoes
• Eggs on toast

For something a bit different, try crispy bacon with pancakes with bacon and maple syrup.

Tips for Cooking Bacon in the Oven

• Use a wire rack if you want the fat to drip away.
• Do not overlap the rashers, or they will cook unevenly.
• Line the tray with foil or baking paper for easier cleanup.
• Cook streaky bacon a little longer if you want it crisp.
• Save the bacon fat for roast potatoes, eggs or fried bread.
• Check the bacon near the end, as it can go from golden to overdone quickly.

Final Thoughts

Cooking bacon in the oven is simple, tidy and ideal when you are cooking more than a couple of rashers.

Use a wire rack, cook at 190°C / 170°C fan / Gas Mark 5 for around 15 to 20 minutes, and take it out when it is golden and cooked how you like it.

I might still prefer a frying pan, but oven-cooked bacon definitely has its place.

FAQs

How do you cook bacon in the oven?

Place bacon rashers on a wire rack set inside a baking tray and cook at 190°C / 170°C fan / Gas Mark 5 for around 15 to 20 minutes.

How long does bacon take in the oven?

Bacon usually takes around 15 to 20 minutes in the oven. Streaky bacon or thicker bacon may need a few minutes longer.

What temperature do you cook bacon in the oven?

Cook bacon at 190°C / 170°C fan / Gas Mark 5 for a good balance of even cooking and browning.

Do you need to turn bacon in the oven?

If the bacon is on a wire rack, you do not usually need to turn it. If it is directly on a tray, turn it halfway through cooking.

Can you cook bacon on foil in the oven?

Yes, you can line the tray with foil to make cleanup easier. For best results, place a wire rack over the tray and cook the bacon on the rack.

How do you make crispy bacon in the oven?

Use streaky bacon, place it on a wire rack, and cook until the fat has rendered and the bacon is golden and crisp.

Is oven bacon better than pan-fried bacon?

Oven bacon is better for cooking larger batches with less mess. Pan-fried bacon gives more control and is still my favourite for smaller amounts.