Stop frying bacon as it's even crispier and tastier with a chef's easy method. You can get crispy bacon without the mess of a frying pan, according to experts at BBC Good Food.
Why Oven-Cooked Bacon is Superior
Crispy bacon is a perfect addition to breakfasts, stuffed into sandwiches, and chopped into dishes. Many of us have our ideal way of cooking bacon, whether fried, grilled, air-fried, or oven-cooked. Typically, to get crispy bacon, the frying pan is used. However, there is another way to achieve very crispy results that doesn't use a frying pan at all.
To get crispy bacon, you should use streaky rather than back bacon. Chefs at BBC Good Food say you can get "super-crispy bacon" in the oven. Using the oven does take longer than the grill or frying pan, but it provides a hands-off approach. Plus, there is a way to get 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
Start by heating the oven to 200°C (180°C Fan/Gas 6). Line a non-stick baking sheet with greaseproof paper. Put the streaky bacon on the sheet in a single layer. Add another sheet of greaseproof paper on top of the bacon, then top with a second baking sheet. Place a heavy casserole dish or ovenproof frying pan on top to weigh it down. Put in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until very crispy. You can eat the bacon straight away, or it can be kept in a plastic container with a lid for two days.
How to Cook Bacon in the Oven (Less Crispy)
If you don't want to achieve crispy results, you can still cook your bacon in the oven. Heat the oven to 200°C (180°C Fan/Gas 6). Get a non-stick tray and lightly oil it. Lay the bacon on the tray in a single layer. Put in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes, using tongs to flip the bacon halfway. Cook until the fat is crisp around the edges.
For a slightly healthier method, you can use an ovenproof rack instead. It will allow the bacon to cook evenly, and the fat will drip off while cooking. Follow the same method, but put the bacon on the rack in a single layer rather than on a baking tray.
