Oven-Baked Crispy Bacon Recipe
Ingredients:
- 12 slices of bacon (you can adjust the quantity as needed)
- Optional: black pepper, maple syrup, or brown sugar for extra flavor
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This temperature is ideal for getting the bacon nice and crispy without burning it. - Prepare the Baking Sheet:
Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup. If you want even crispier bacon, you can place a cooling rack on top of the foil. The rack will allow the fat to drip off, which leads to extra crispiness. If you don't have a rack, just use the foil. - Arrange the Bacon:
Lay the bacon slices flat on the baking sheet (or rack) in a single layer. Try not to overlap the slices too much, as this can cause uneven cooking. - Optional Flavoring:
If you'd like, you can sprinkle the bacon with black pepper for some extra flavor or drizzle a bit of maple syrup or sprinkle brown sugar over the top for a sweet-savory finish. This step is totally optional. - Bake the Bacon:
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 15–20 minutes. The exact time will depend on the thickness of the bacon and how crispy you like it. Thin-cut bacon may take less time (around 12-15 minutes), while thicker cuts could take up to 20 minutes. - Check for Crispiness:
After about 12 minutes, start checking the bacon every few minutes to ensure it doesn't burn. The bacon is done when it’s golden brown and crispy. - Drain the Bacon:
Once done, remove the bacon from the oven and place the slices on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess fat. This helps keep them crispy. - Serve:
Enjoy your perfectly crispy bacon! You can serve it with breakfast, crumbled over salads, or even as a snack.
Tips:
- Thickness of Bacon: Thicker slices will need a bit more time in the oven, so adjust your baking time accordingly.
- Save the Bacon Fat: Don’t toss out the rendered bacon fat! You can save it for cooking other dishes (like frying eggs or adding to roasted vegetables) for added flavor.
- Crispy Variations: If you prefer ultra-crispy bacon, cook for a few minutes longer, but watch it closely to prevent burning.
Enjoy your crispy bacon!
