Harper West
Bacon is a breakfast staple, but how long it takes to prepare depends on the method and your desired level of crispiness. Cooking bacon in an oven is a popular choice as it is easy, hands-off, and splatter-free. It typically takes around 10-20 minutes to cook bacon in the oven, depending on the thickness of the bacon and your desired level of crispiness. Cooking bacon on the stovetop is a quicker option as you don't have to wait for the oven to preheat, but it requires more attention and can be messier due to splattering. Air fryers are another option, taking around 8-10 minutes to cook bacon, while microwaving bacon typically takes 4-6 minutes.
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What You'll Learn
Cooking bacon in the oven
To cook bacon in the oven, start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminium foil, ensuring there is overhang on all sides for easy cleanup. If desired, place an oven-safe cooling rack on top of the lined baking sheet. This allows the bacon to cook from all sides and results in crispier bacon, but it is not necessary.
Arrange 12 ounces of sliced bacon on the baking sheet in a single layer. The slices can be close together or even touching, but ensure they do not overlap, as they will stick together during cooking.
Place the baking sheet in the middle of the preheated oven and bake until the bacon is deep golden-brown and crispy. The exact baking time will depend on the thickness of the bacon and your desired level of crispiness. For regular bacon, this will typically take about 14 minutes, while thick-cut bacon may require up to 18 minutes. Check on the bacon after 12 minutes to ensure it is cooking to your desired level of doneness.
Once the bacon is cooked to your liking, remove it from the oven and transfer the slices to a plate lined with paper towels to drain and finish crisping. Serve immediately, or allow to cool and store in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months.
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Cooking bacon on the stove
Firstly, choose your pan. A wide, flat-bottomed 12-inch frying pan or a cast-iron skillet are good options. A long, rectangular cast-iron griddle pan that fits over two burners is ideal if you want to cook a lot of bacon at once.
Place the bacon strips in the pan while it's still cold. Some recipes suggest adding a small amount of water to cover the bacon, then boiling it before lowering the heat to medium and allowing the water to evaporate. However, this is not essential, and you can simply cook the bacon over medium-low heat.
Bacon requires a fair amount of turning, so it's best to use tongs to avoid the risk of hot fat splattering on your skin. Cook the bacon slowly, flipping and turning to help it brown evenly. The bacon will initially stick to the pan, but as it cooks, the fat will render and the bacon will release from the pan.
When the bacon is crisped to your liking, transfer it to paper towels to drain. Blotting the bacon with paper towels helps to absorb excess grease so that it doesn't end up too oily. You can also use a cut-up brown paper bag or newspaper for this purpose.
Finally, don't discard the leftover fat in your pan! Once it has cooled, pour it into a glass jar or metal can and save it for future cooking projects. Bacon grease adds a rich flavor to dishes and has a high smoke point, making it stable for cooking.
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Cooking bacon in the microwave
To cook bacon in the microwave, you will need bacon, a microwave-safe dish or plate, and paper towels. First, line the bottom of the dish with paper towels. It is recommended to use at least four layers of paper towels to soak up the grease from the bacon. Then, lay the bacon in a single layer, ensuring the slices are close together but not touching, as they will stick together during cooking. Cover the bacon with another two layers of paper towels, making sure none of the bacon is visible to prevent grease splatters.
Microwave the bacon on high power for around 1 minute per slice. Check the bacon after 3 minutes, and continue to cook in 30-second bursts until it is as crispy as you like it. The average cooking time is between 3 and 6 minutes, but it is easy to overcook or burn the bacon, so keep a close eye on it.
Once the bacon is cooked to your liking, carefully remove the dish from the microwave using oven mitts or a towel. Transfer the cooked bacon to a fresh layer of paper towels to drain for about 2 minutes, and pat with an additional towel to absorb excess grease.
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Cooking bacon in an air fryer
Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer and Bacon
Firstly, there is no need to preheat your air fryer. Simply place the bacon strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cut the strips in half if needed to fit more inside. For thin-cut bacon, check after around 5-6 minutes to avoid overcooking.
Step 2: Set the Temperature and Timer
Set your air fryer to 350˚F to avoid any smokiness while cooking bacon. The smoke point of bacon fat is 400˚F, so cooking at 350˚F is a safe temperature. Set the timer according to the thickness of your bacon and your desired doneness. For regular-cut bacon, 7-8 minutes will give you softer bacon, while 8-9 minutes will make it crispy.
Step 3: Flip the Bacon (Optional)
If you are cooking in batches or using a metal rack, you may need to flip the bacon halfway through. This ensures even cooking on both sides. However, some sources suggest that flipping is not necessary since the air circulates in the air fryer.
Step 4: Check for Desired Crispiness
After the set time, check if the bacon has reached your desired level of crispiness. If not, you can air fry for an additional minute or two until it's done to your liking.
Step 5: Transfer to a Plate and Serve
Use tongs to carefully transfer the cooked bacon to a plate lined with paper towels. This helps to absorb excess grease. Serve immediately, or let it cool and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
Tips for Success:
- If cooking in batches, remember to drain the drip pan of any oil and wipe it clean between batches to prevent smoking.
- To reduce smoking and simplify cleaning, place a thin slice of bread at the bottom of the air fryer, beneath the basket. This works for basket-style air fryers to absorb grease.
- For thick-cut bacon, expect a longer cooking time. Around 9-12 minutes should give you a crisp exterior and a juicy or chewy interior, depending on your preference.
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How to store leftover bacon
Bacon is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to sandwiches. However, it's important to store leftover bacon properly to maintain its freshness and flavour. Here are some tips on how to store leftover bacon:
Storing Uncooked Bacon:
If you have uncooked bacon that you're not planning to use right away, it's best to keep it in its original packaging and store it in the fridge. An unopened package of bacon will typically last about 1-2 weeks in the refrigerator. If you know you won't be using the bacon within this timeframe, it's a good idea to freeze it. Bacon can be frozen for up to 8 months, but always check the use-by or expiration date for the best accuracy.
Storing Leftover Cooked Bacon:
When it comes to storing leftover cooked bacon, it's essential to let it cool before storing. Place the cooked bacon on a cooling rack to allow excess grease to drain off, then transfer it to an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. Store the container in the refrigerator, where the bacon will stay fresh for about 4-5 days.
Freezing Cooked Bacon:
If you want to extend the shelf life of your cooked bacon, you can freeze it. Lay the cooked bacon strips on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze them in a single layer. Once frozen, transfer the bacon strips to a heavy-duty freezer bag. This method allows you to easily grab the amount of bacon you need for future meals.
Wrapping and Storing in an Airtight Container:
Whether you're storing uncooked or leftover cooked bacon, wrapping it tightly is crucial. You can use plastic wrap or aluminium foil to ensure the bacon is well-sealed. Always store the wrapped bacon in an airtight container to maintain its freshness and prevent it from drying out.
By following these storage tips, you can keep your leftover bacon fresh and delicious, ready to be used in your favourite breakfast dishes or any meal throughout the week!
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Frequently asked questions
This depends on the method of cooking and the desired crispiness. On a stovetop, bacon takes 2-4 minutes on each side for a total of 4-8 minutes. In an oven, it takes 10-25 minutes depending on the temperature and whether you want chewy or crispy bacon.
Cooking bacon in the oven takes 10-25 minutes depending on the temperature and your desired crispiness. For crispy bacon, set the oven temperature to 400°F and bake the bacon for 20 minutes. For chewy bacon, 15 minutes is enough.
Cooking bacon on a stovetop is a quick method and takes 4-8 minutes in total. Place the bacon strips in a cold pan and cook on low heat, flipping and turning to help them brown evenly.
If you're cooking a large batch of bacon, it's best to use the oven method. This way, you can cook a pound or more of bacon at once without having to flip and monitor each slice.
Thick-cut bacon takes longer to cook than regular bacon. In the oven, it takes about 18 minutes to get crispy thick-cut bacon. On a stovetop, thicker cuts will produce chewier bacon, while thinner cuts will be crispier.
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