• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Recipes
  • Substitutes
  • Basics
  • Pairings

A Nourishing Plate

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Substitutes
  • Basics
  • Pairings
  • Subscribe
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Substitutes
    • Basics
    • Pairings
    • Subscribe
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Basics

    Sep 1, 2021 · Modified: Aug 17, 2022 by Lindsey Jenkins · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    How to Cook Bacon in the Oven Without a Rack

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    Once you learn how to cook bacon in the oven without a rack, you'll never go back to cooking it on the stove. Learn my tips and tricks for achieving perfectly cooked bacon (to your preference) and the benefits of this method.

    A plate of perfectly cooked bacon fresh warm from the oven without a rack.

    Who doesn't love bacon? It's warm, salty, smoky, slightly sweet, and crispy. There's one problem though. Cooking it on the stovetop can be so messy. Between the splatters of bacon grease and cleaning out the pan afterward, sometimes it's easy to think, "Is this really worth it?".

    The way to make bacon worth it is to cook it in the oven. This is the solution to perfectly cooked bacon every time, whether you're feeding a crowd or want to add it to different meals throughout the week.

    Benefits of Cooking Bacon in the Oven

    No oil splatters

    When I cook bacon on the stovetop, it manages to get everywhere. With this method, I don't have to worry about it splattering on my clothes. Plus, clean-up is pretty dang easy. The result? Consistently cooked bacon every time.

    No flipping

    Cooking bacon in the oven is definitely a set-it-and-forget-it kind of cooking process. It requires no flipping or rotating the sheet pan.

    No baking rack

    There seems to be a misconception that you must cook your bacon on a baking rack that is placed on top of your sheet pan. The perk of cooking it in the oven is less cleanup.

    A baking rack filled with bacon grease is a major pain in the ass to clean. Plus, I noticed it didn't really make that much of a difference in terms of crispiness.

    Cooked bacon on a sheet pan with no rack.

    3 Simple Steps to Cooking Bacon in the Oven Without A Rack

    1. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.

    2. Arrange the bacon in a single layer on the lined sheet pan, making sure they don't overlap (it's okay if the strips are touching because bacon shrinks as it cooks).

    3. Bake for 18-22 minutes or until it reaches your desired texture then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to soak up any excess grease. Enjoy!

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can you cook bacon in the oven without a rack?

    Yes, all you need is a sheet pan lined with parchment paper for an easy cleanup! Plus, it's the best way to batch cook bacon.

    What's the difference between cured and uncured bacon?

    Despite the name, uncured bacon is still cured, it's just processed using naturally occurring nitrates found in vegetables vs cured bacon that's processed with synthetic nitrates & additives. If your bacon is cured, it may require less cooking time because my understanding is that it typically has more sugar in it (which would make it crisp up faster).

    How can I avoid burnt bacon?

    Oven temperatures can vary quite a bit so if you know your oven runs hot, check it around the 14-minute mark and add more time as needed. Or buy an oven thermometer to check the internal temperature and cook the bacon accordingly. Also, keep in mind that bacon crisps up as it cools.

    Recipes With Bacon

    • Garlic Umami Noodles
    • Kimchi Pizza
    • Creamy Dairy-Free Potato Soup
    Grabbing cooked warm bacon off a plate that just came out of the oven.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    5 from 9 votes

    How to Cook Bacon in the Oven Without A Rack

    Learn how easy it is to cook bacon in the oven without a rack for perfectly cooked and crispy results. Plus, an easy cleanup!
    Prep Time5 minutes mins
    Cook Time20 minutes mins
    Total Time25 minutes mins
    Author: Lindsey Jenkins

    Ingredients

    • 12-16 oz uncured bacon

    Instructions

    • Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
    • Arrange your bacon in a single layer on the lined sheet pan, making sure they don't overlap (it's okay if the strips are touching because bacon shrinks as it cooks).
    • Bake for 18-22 minutes (see notes) or until it reaches your desired texture then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to soak up any excess grease. Enjoy!

    Notes

    Use the middle rack. For the most even cooking, make sure to place your pan on the middle rack in your oven.
    How to avoid overly crispy/burnt bacon. Oven temperatures vary, and because of this, some ovens run hotter than others. To avoid burnt bacon, there are a couple of things you can do: buy an oven thermometer to check the internal temperature or check the bacon after the 12-minute mark.
    Cooking times. I find 20-22 minutes to generally be the sweet spot for my oven and my personal preference for crispiness. However, if your bacon is thick-cut, you'll likely need to cook it closer to the 30-minute mark.

    More Cooking Basics

    • A spoonful of thick homemade dairy free sweetened condensed milk dripping off a spoon into a jar.
      Dairy Free Sweetened Condensed Milk
    • A jar of homemade raspberry compote sauce on a plate with a spoon.
      Easy Raspberry Compote Sauce
    • A warm matcha latte with a beautiful heart latte art on top.
      What Is The Best Milk For A Matcha Latte?
    • Almond Ricotta

    Reader Interactions

    Rate & Review Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Lindsey. My goal is to teach you how to become a better cook, rely less on recipes, and be more adaptable in the kitchen depending on what's in season, in your pantry, or to fit your dietary needs. All recipes are dairy-free but come with a "make it your way" substitution section to get you started.

    More about me →

    Summer Recipes

    • A plate of spaghetti noodles with small burst cherry tomatoes in a sauce with fresh basil.
      Burst Cherry Tomato Pasta
    • A bowl of blackened-charred-corn with fresh lime wedges.
      Easy Skillet Blackened Corn
    • A bowl of homemade zucchini pesto.
      Pesto Di Zucchine (Zucchini Pesto)
    • Several glasses of fresh watermelon juice served on ice.
      Fresh Watermelon Juice Recipe

    Popular Posts

    • A small bowl of spicy sushi mayo with a spoon.
      Japanese Spicy Mayo (For Sushi, Poke, And Beyond)
    • Tomato paste pizza sauce spread onto a small pizza crust.
      Tomato Paste Pizza Sauce
    • Pouring basil infused simple syrup through a fine mesh strainer.
      How to Make Infused Simple Syrups
    • cast iron pot over a campfire
      14 Gourmet (But Easy) Camping Food Ideas

    Footer

    Get Started

    Capsule Pantry
    Cooking Basics
    Ingredient Pairings
    Substitutes

    Explore By Seasons

    Fall Recipes
    Winter Recipes
    Spring Recipes
    Summer Recipes

    Connect

    About
    Contact
    Subscribe
    Work With Me

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Privacy policy. Disclaimer. Copyright © 2022 A Nourishing Plate LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.