How to Cook Bacon the Way the Pros Do - In the Oven
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Arrange rack in the middle of the oven. Line a half sheet pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil, making sure there is overhang on all 4 sides.
- Arrange the bacon directly on the parchment OR use of a wire rack for extra-crispy bacon arranged over the lining. Place bacon in a single layer. The slices can be close together or touching, but don't let them overlap or they'll stick together during cooking.
- Bake until the bacon is deep golden-brown and crispy, about 14 minutes for regular bacon and 18 minutes for thick-cut bacon. Exact baking time will depend on the thickness of the bacon and how crispy you like it. Begin checking the bacon after 12 minutes.
- Immediately transfer the bacon to to a second wire rack to cool and finish crisping. Serve immediately.
- Clean up. If you want to save the bacon grease, let it cool slightly, then pour it through a fine-mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth into a heatproof container and refrigerate. If you don't want to save the grease, let it solidify on the baking sheet, then crumple the foil or paper around it and discard.
