Crispy bacon is a wonderful addition to a full English breakfast, stuffed into sandwiches or chopped into a variety of dishes. Most of us will have our preferred method of cooking bacon, whether that be fried, grilled, air-fried, or oven-cooked.
The No-Fry Alternative
Traditionally, the frying pan is the go-to choice for achieving crispy bacon. However, there is an alternative approach that delivers equally impressive results without a frying pan in sight. To achieve truly crispy bacon, opt for streaky rather than back bacon. Culinary experts at BBC Good Food say you can produce 'super-crispy bacon' in the oven.
While using the oven does take longer than the grill or frying pan, it offers a more hands-off approach to cooking. What's more, there is a reliable method to guarantee crispy results. 'It can be used in salads, crumbled over macaroni cheese or sprinkled on soups,' BBC Good Food said.
How to Cook Crispy Bacon in the Oven
Begin by preheating the oven to 200°C/180°C Fan/Gas 6. Line a non-stick baking tray with greaseproof paper. Arrange the streaky bacon on the tray in a single layer. Place another sheet of greaseproof paper over the bacon, then top with a second baking tray. Position a heavy casserole dish or ovenproof frying pan on top to weigh it down. Place in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until very crispy. The bacon can be eaten immediately, or stored in a lidded plastic container for two days.
Alternative Oven Method for Less Crispy Bacon
If crispy bacon isn't what you're after, you can still successfully cook your bacon in the oven. Heat the oven to 200°C/180°C Fan/Gas 6. Lightly grease a non-stick baking tray. Arrange the bacon on the tray in a single layer. Place in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes, using tongs to turn the bacon over halfway through. Cook until the fat is crispy around the edges.
For a slightly healthier alternative, you can use an ovenproof rack instead. This will allow the bacon to cook uniformly while the fat drips away during cooking. Follow the same process, but place the bacon on the rack in a single layer rather than directly on a baking tray.
