Chef Will Murray of Fallow restaurant has declared that oven-baked bacon is the superior method for achieving perfectly crispy results every time, and he adds one basic ingredient midway through cooking: demerara sugar.
Why Oven-Baked Bacon Is Superior
Most people cook bacon in a frying pan, air fryer, or microwave, but Murray insists the oven is the most overlooked and effective method. He uses it daily at the restaurant. The oven ensures uniform crispiness throughout, even if slices vary in thickness.
The Sugar Trick for Extra Crunch
Murray recommends using streaky bacon for its higher fat content, which translates to more flavour. He arranges the rashers on a baking tray without lining it with foil or parchment paper, as the bacon's fat prevents sticking. The tray goes into a preheated 180°C oven for five minutes.
After five minutes, much of the fat has rendered. Murray then turns the bacon over and scatters demerara sugar over it. The sugar not only enhances crispiness but adds an "awesome sweetness." However, he warns not to be too heavy-handed, as an overly sweet coating can make the bacon unpleasantly tough.
Final Step and Results
The bacon is returned to the oven for another five minutes at the same temperature. Once removed, Murray demonstrated that the edges turn "really nice and crispy," claiming no other cooking method comes close.
