We all agree that tasty and crispy bacon is one of the best ways to start the day with energy and a certain sense of satisfaction.
There are many ways to prepare perfect bacon, in a pan, on a skillet, in the microwave, on a plate and so on … but the way that allows us to have our hands free and prepare the dishes that will accompany this exquisite delicacy is the use of a normal oven.
This is because bacon is a type of fatty food that must be cooked slowly and at a low temperature to melt the fat and get a crisp and golden finished product.
Benefits Of Baked Bacon
The health will benefit from the fact that the fat of the bacon is dissolved and a small amount moves away from the main slice. In this way, it will not end up in our stomach and the number of calories will be lower.
For even healthier bacon we recommend placing each individual slice on a paper towel after cooking. The paper will absorb further fat and oil.
Your efficiency will increase because the kitchen stovetop will be available for the preparation of other foods such as eggs or pancakes. The fat will not splash throughout the kitchen and it will take little time to clean everything
Moreover, using an oven allows you to make large amounts of bacon at the same time.
The end result will be stunning because each slice will be cooked evenly and you will no longer see burnt slices at the bottom. The space inside the oven prevents the slices from sticking together and curling upon themselves.
Finally, it is not necessary to follow the entire cooking process and guard your bacon slices, but wait for the timer and start enjoying the dish.
Bacon Grease
Another advantage of this type of cooking is that the fat that has come off the bacon can be recovered, poured into a jar and stored in the refrigerator for future use.
In some cases, it may be the ideal substitute for classic butter. You can use it to prepare eggs or to make a slice of bread even more appealing by spreading it on top.
What You Will Need
Preparing the bacon is not very complicated and so we should not think about using the whole culinary arsenal you have.
The list of things you need is quite short:
- Shallow baking sheet
- Foil
- Metal Cooling Rack (optional)
- Paper towels
How To Cook Bacon In The Oven
The first consideration is the type of bacon to use. At the supermarket we find different types, there is the seasoned one, the not seasoned one, the smoked one and so on.
Regardless of the type of treatment you choose, the thickness of the bacon is something to keep in mind. The thinner it is, the more delicate it is. In addition, a thicker slice will take longer to cook.
After carrying out various experiments in baking bacon, we can tell you that the best methods are two. Before discovering them we remind you not to heat the oven before using it.
Using A Baking Sheet Pan
The first step is to line the pan with foil, making sure to cover the entire central area evenly and to reach the edges.
Spread the bacon slices on the sheet, being careful not to overlap them. In this way, you avoid the risk of getting them to stick and not cook them properly. There’s no flipping or monitoring required.
Turn the oven on at 400°F and let cook for 15-20 minutes. During the last 2-3 minutes keep an eye on the pancetta until it reaches a golden color. These minutes are crucial because in a flash you could go from a perfect crunchiness to a bad burn.
As soon as the bacon has reached the desired level of crunchiness and color, turn off the oven. Remove the slices from the pan and place them on a piece of paper to absorb the fat further.
Using A Cooling Rack
Line a baking sheet pan with baking paper, making sure it covers up the sides.
Place the bacon slices on a cooling rack that is resistant to high oven temperatures, distributing them evenly and not overlapping them.
Put the rack in the central part of the pan and then turn on the oven at 400°F. Cook the bacon for about 15 minutes and then begin to flip the bacon slices from time to time until the desired cooking is reached.
Remove the pan from the oven and spread the slices on a paper towel.
Variations For Good Fork
Both using the first method and the second, different spices and flavors can be added before the final cooking phase.
As soon as the bacon starts to brown, it can be temporarily removed from the oven to add salt, pepper, garlic or to brush on a layer of maple syrup.
How To Know If Bacon Is Good
Follow the general rules used for most of the foods that should be kept in the fridge.
First of all, if the bacon is in the original packaging and has never been opened. Always read the expiration date indicated on the package.
If the bacon has already been used, we recommend using it within 4-5 days. If it starts changing color or smelling then throw it away immediately.
Bacon Tips
Below are some practical tips for cooking and making the most of bacon.
- Do not preheat the oven before it is used
- Always look carefully at the bacon during the last few minutes of cooking
- As soon as the bacon is removed from the oven, immediately remove it from the pan or grill, otherwise, the bacon will continue to cook.
- Before putting the slices of bacon in the oven, try to add some black pepper or some other spice to your taste, the only limit is the imagination.
- To have it semi-ready and not waste time at breakfast you can freeze it and keep it in the freezer. To do this, cook the slices for a few minutes, take them out of the oven, cool them and put them in an ice bag. When you need it, just use the microwave oven for 1-2 minutes.
- Bacon fat can go bad (rancid) especially if there are pieces of bacon in the fat, so be careful as much as possible to filter it
- To avoid even the slightest splash of grease inside your oven during cooking, you can cover the bacon slices with parchment paper. In this way, the cooking time will increase by 5-10 minutes but your oven will thank you.
Summary
At this point, you can define yourself as an expert in baked bacon. So in addition to its classic use, which is to prepare the slices and eat them as they are, we advise you to free the imagination.
Try bacon with pizza, in the burgers and above all with the pasta and its thousand ways of being prepared.