How to Make Crispy Oven Baked Bacon the Easy Way

5 from 1 vote

How to Make Crispy Oven Baked Bacon the Easy Way

Did you know it’s easy to make crispy oven baked bacon? If you love bacon, you know there’s nothing like a perfectly crispy slice alongside a hearty big breakfast, french toast, or even crumbled over a cobb salad. But frying bacon in a frying pan can be messy, uneven, and time-consuming.

Prep Time5

Cook Time15

Total Time20

Course: Breakfast, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: 30 minute recipe, Breakfast Recipe, brunch recipe, cooking tips, copycat recipe, easy recipe, restaurant recipe

Servings: Servings

Calories: 447kcal

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Equipment

Sheetpan with Wire Racks

Ingredients

16 Ounces Bacon 1 package of bacon (or as much as you need; works with thick-cut, regular, or turkey bacon)
¼ Cup Maple Syrup or brown sugar (optional). A brush of maple syrup or sprinkle of brown sugar the last few minutes adds extra flavor if you like.

Instructions

Prep Your Pan. Line a large rimmed baking sheet or half sheet baking pan with tin foil or a sheet of parchment paper for easy clean up.
For crispier bacon, place a wire rack, cooling rack, or baking rack on the pan so the bacon fat can drain away as it cooks.
Lay the bacon slices in a single layer, making sure they don’t overlap. This helps every piece cook evenly and achieve a perfect crispy texture.
16 Ounces Bacon
Start in a Cold Oven. Place your tray of bacon in a cold oven and set the temperature to 400°F. Starting cold allows the bacon grease to render slowly, creating golden brown, flavorful slices.
Bake. Cook for 15–20 minutes, depending on the thickness of bacon and your preference. Thin bacon: 12–16 minutes, Regular bacon: 15–20 minutes. Thick-cut bacon: 18–22 minutes.
If you want a sweet-savory twist, brush a light layer of maple syrup or sprinkle some brown sugar over the top in the last 5 minutes of baking.
¼ Cup Maple Syrup
Check the last few minutes, as bacon can go from perfect to overdone quickly. The exact time will vary from oven to oven. You’ll notice it crisping and bubbling as it approaches perfection.
Drain and serve. Transfer the cooked bacon to a paper-towel-lined plate to remove excess bacon grease. Let it cool slightly to reach room temperature, which also helps maintain crispiness.

Notes

How Much Bacon Per Person?

When planning a farmhouse-style breakfast, it’s always better to have a little extra bacon than not enough. As a general guideline, plan on:

2–3 slices of bacon per person for a simple everyday breakfast
3–4 slices per person for a hearty big breakfast or brunch spread
1–2 slices per person when bacon is served alongside other dishes or used as an ingredient

Planning by the Package

A standard 12–16 ounce package of bacon usually contains 12–16 slices, depending on the brand and thickness.

One package will comfortably serve 4–6 people
For thick-cut bacon, plan on fewer slices per person since it’s meatier and more filling

Feeding a Crowd

If you’re cooking for family gatherings, holidays, or weekend breakfasts:

8–10 people → plan for 2 packages of bacon
12–15 people → plan for 3–4 packages

One of the best parts about making oven-baked bacon is how easy it is to cook a large batch all at once and save the extras. Any leftover bacon can be stored and reheated later, making breakfast prep simple and stress-free.

Quick Reference Chart on Cooking Different Kinds of Bacon

Type of Bacon	Best Setup	Oven Temp	Approx. Cook Time	Results & Tips
Thick-Cut Bacon	Wire rack on foil-lined pan	400°F	18–22 min	Meaty, flavorful, perfect for extra crispy bacon
Regular-Cut Bacon	Foil or parchment-lined pan	400°F	15–20 min	Consistent, easy to control chewy vs crisp
Thin-Cut Bacon	Direct on pan or rack	400°F	12–16 min	Watch closely to avoid overcooking
Turkey Bacon	Wire rack preferred	400°F	12–15 min	Less grease, lighter crisp, cooks fast
Maple/Sweet Bacon	Foil-lined pan	400°F	14–18 min	Sugar browns quickly, check early
Bacon Pieces/Bits	Single layer on pan	400°F	10–15 min	Stir once halfway, drain on paper towels

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