How to Cook Bacon the Easy and Clean Way: Tips for Perfectly Crispy Results

Bacon is a beloved breakfast staple, adding a deliciously smoky, crispy touch to any meal. However, cooking bacon can often be a messy endeavor, with grease splattering all over the stovetop and pans to clean afterward. Fortunately, there are simple methods that make cooking bacon easy, efficient, and much less messy. Whether you’re looking for crispy strips or perfectly tender bites, these techniques will help you achieve the best results without the hassle. Here’s how to cook bacon the easy and clean way!

Method 1: Oven-Baked Bacon

Why Oven-Baking? Cooking bacon in the oven is one of the easiest and cleanest methods. It allows the bacon to cook evenly and crisply without constant flipping, and there’s no messy splatter to worry about. Plus, it frees up your stovetop for cooking other breakfast items.

Steps to Bake Bacon in the Oven:

Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C). This temperature ensures the bacon cooks evenly and crisps up nicely.
Prepare Your Baking Sheet: Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil, covering the edges to catch any grease and make cleanup a breeze. Place a wire rack on top of the baking sheet if you prefer extra crispy bacon; the rack allows the grease to drip away as it cooks.
Arrange the Bacon: Lay the bacon strips in a single layer on the wire rack or directly on the foil-lined baking sheet. Make sure the strips aren’t overlapping, as this will ensure even cooking.
Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, depending on your desired level of crispiness. Check the bacon around the 12-minute mark to ensure it doesn’t overcook.
Drain and Serve: Once the bacon is golden and crisp, remove it from the oven and transfer the strips to a plate lined with paper towels to drain off any excess grease. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Easy Cleanup: Once the baking sheet has cooled, simply discard the foil and any collected grease, leaving you with minimal cleanup.

Pro Tip: For extra flavor, sprinkle a little brown sugar, black pepper, or a dash of maple syrup over the bacon before baking.