Easy Oven Baked Bacon for Large Groups Recipe

Master the art of cooking crispy, delicious bacon in large batches with this foolproof oven method. Whether you’re hosting a brunch or meal prepping for the week, this technique will revolutionize your bacon game!

Forget about the hassle of frying bacon in small batches. When you need to cook bacon for a crowd, your oven is your secret weapon. This guide will walk you through the best methods for achieving bacon perfection, from crispy to chewy and everything in between.

The Great Bacon Bake-Off: Finding the Perfect Method

We put four popular oven-baking methods to the test to determine the ultimate bacon-cooking technique:

• Directly on a rimmed baking sheet
• On a wire rack set in a rimmed baking sheet
• On a crimped piece of aluminum foil set in a rimmed baking sheet
• Sandwiched between two parchment-lined baking sheets

The verdict? The simplest method reigns supreme! Read on to discover why laying bacon directly on a baking sheet yields the best results.

Temperature Matters: Finding the Sweet Spot

Before diving into specific techniques, we conducted experiments to determine the ideal oven temperature for bacon perfection. Here’s what we found:

• 325°F (160°C): Too slow, taking about 50 minutes
• 375°F (190°C): Better, but still slow at 35 minutes
• 425°F (220°C): The goldilocks temperature, perfect at about 20 minutes
• 475°F (250°C): Too hot, resulting in uneven cooking

Our tests revealed that 425°F (220°C) strikes the ideal balance between cooking speed and bacon texture. At this temperature, you’ll achieve a delightful crisp-chewy dynamic that bacon lovers crave.

The Champion Method: Directly on a Baking Sheet

This straightforward technique emerged as our top choice for several reasons:

• Easiest setup and cleanup
• Produces the crispiest, most evenly browned bacon
• Bacon fries in its own fat, enhancing flavor and preventing dryness
• Results closely mimic stovetop-cooked bacon

Texture: Achieve the perfect balance of crispy exterior and tender, melt-in-your-mouth fatty areas. Enjoy even browning with subtle waves in each strip.

Pro Tip: Line your baking sheet with foil for effortless cleanup!

Alternative Methods: When to Use Them

For Chewy Bacon Enthusiasts: The Crimped Foil Method

If you prefer your bacon on the chewier side, this innovative technique might be for you:

• Create an accordion-style foil base to elevate the bacon
• Allows fat to drain away, resulting in a meatier texture
• Produces bacon with crisp edges and tender centers

Flat Bacon for Sandwiches and Burgers: The Double Sheet Pan Method

When you need perfectly flat bacon slices for stacking on sandwiches or topping burgers, try this approach:

• Sandwich bacon between parchment-lined baking sheets
• Results in ultra-crispy, evenly cooked bacon
• Takes slightly longer (25-30 minutes) but worth it for special dishes

The Recipe: Foolproof Oven-Baked Bacon

Ingredients

• 12 slices bacon

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and position the rack in the center.
2. Line a large rimmed baking sheet (13×18 inches) with aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
3. Arrange bacon strips on the prepared pan, avoiding overlap as much as possible.
4. Bake for 10 minutes, then rotate the pan for even cooking.
5. Continue baking until the bacon reaches your desired level of crispness:
   • 5-10 minutes more for thin-cut bacon
   • 10-15 minutes more for thick-cut bacon
6. Remove from the oven and transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease.
7. Serve and enjoy your perfectly cooked bacon!

Pro Tips for Bacon Perfection

• For larger batches, use two trays on separate oven racks. Rotate them top to bottom and front to back halfway through cooking. Expect to add 5-8 minutes to the total cooking time.
• If your oven has a convection setting, use it! Reduce the cooking time by a few minutes for even crispier results.
• Experiment with different thicknesses and cures of bacon to find your favorite style.

Nutrition Facts