How to Cook Bacon in the Oven—Plus 4 More Bacon-Cooking Techniques

There's nothing like the scent of bacon in the morning to whet one's appetite for a hearty breakfast. Whether you're batch-cooking breakfast sandwiches or preparing a luxurious brunch spread, chances are you're planning to fry up some bacon. The old-school skillet method is definitely an option, but it can be a little high-maintenance and messy. Luckily, there are countless ways to cook bacon, and we're here to show you the way. Keep reading to learn about five bacon-cooking approaches, including how to cook bacon in the oven, each with step-by-step instructions so you can try them out at home.

How to Cook Bacon in the Oven

The best way to cook bacon for a crowd is on a baking sheet in the oven; it's effortless and hands-off (no flipping necessary!), and can yield a large amount of perfectly crispy bacon at once. You don't have to use a rack on your baking sheet, but we recommend it in order to crisp up both sides of the bacon.

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
2. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil, then place an appropriately sized rack on top of the foil.
3. Spray the rack with cooking spray.
4. Lay bacon slices on top.
5. Cook the bacon for 15-20 minutes, or until it reaches your desired crispiness.
6. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

How to Cook Bacon in the Air Fryer

When the goal is crispy food, the air fryer tends to be a good bet, and bacon is no exception. If you're cooking multiple batches of bacon in an air fryer, make sure to discard any extra oil from the drip pan before starting the next round.

1. Place bacon slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
2. Set the air fryer to 400 degrees and cook for 7-10 minutes, or until it reaches your desired crispiness.
3. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

How to Cook Bacon in the Microwave

You won't be able to get your bacon quite as crispy in the microwave, but it'll still be delicious! If you're hurrying to get breakfast on the table, go ahead and pop some bacon slices in the microwave—no shame.

1. Line a microwave-safe plate with a few layers of paper towels.
2. Lay bacon in a single layer on the paper towels, then cover it with another thin layer of paper towels.
3. Microwave on high for 4-6 minutes, keeping in mind that different microwave models cook food at different rates. You may want to check the bacon at the halfway point.
4. Transfer bacon to a fresh paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

How to Cook Bacon in an Instant Pot

You've probably used your Instant Pot for soups, stews, and braised meat, but have you tried frying up some bacon in there? We love this unexpected technique for when we want bacon fast and with minimal mess.

1. Lay bacon slices in a single layer in the Instant Pot. (This step may involve cutting your bacon in half in order to fit it in.)
2. Press the Sauté button.
3. Let cook for about 3 minutes on the first side, then flip with a spatula and let cook for about 2 more minutes, or until it reaches your desired crispiness.
4. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

How to Cook Bacon on the Stove

The stovetop strategy can get a little messy, so you might want to set a splatter screen on top of the skillet to protect yourself. Opt for a cast-iron skillet if you have one, as it conducts heat evenly and will give you the best result.

1. Lay bacon slices in a single layer in a cold skillet, then turn the heat on low.
2. After about 4-6 minutes, when the bacon starts to curl, use tongs to flip it to the other side.
3. Cook the other side for about 4-6 more minutes, or until it reaches your desired crispiness.
4. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.