Making turkey bacon in the oven is the fast, easy way to get crispy delicious bacon. No need to stand over a hot, sputtering frying pan! Try making bacon in the oven, the results are delicious! (This tip also works with pork bacon!)
Healthier Bacon
Several years ago I switched from pork bacon to turkey bacon. (My family has a history of heart problems and high cholesterol.) I like turkey bacon because it's lower in fat and calories, but still has a similar flavor profile.
Unfortunately I encountered one HUGE problem… cooking turkey bacon in the skillet never produced the crispy bacon that my family loves
Can You Cook Turkey Bacon in the Oven?
I began experimenting with bacon cooking methods and found out that baking turkey bacon (or pork bacon) produces a superior bacon experience:
- It is crispy and delicious.
- The bacon cooks uniformly without much attention.
- It is easier and quicker than making bacon in a skillet.
- It saves my hands (and stove top) from all those tiny bacon grease explosions.
Is Turkey Bacon Good?
While turkey bacon isn't always as swoon worthy as pork bacon, it can be a delicious (and tasty) alternative if cooked in the oven. It is great on a club sandwich or in a BLT!
Try a few brands of turkey bacon to find one you enjoy. We like the Applegate Naturals Uncured Turkey Bacon (available at Target) and Costco's Uncured Turkey Bacon.
How to Make Turkey Bacon in the Oven
Here’s how to make PERFECT bacon in the oven:
Ingredients
- 1 package turkey bacon
- 1 cookie sheet
- foil or parchment paper
Directions
- Preheat oven to 400° degrees.
- Line your cookie sheet with foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Arrange bacon in a single layer on the baking sheet. It is okay for edges to overlap slightly.
- Bake for 10 minutes then flip the bacon over. (Flipping the bacon is not necessary but makes the bacon crispier).
- Bake for 5-10 minutes or until the bacon reaches your desired level of crispiness. (Watch the bacon closely to make sure it doesn't burn.)
Tips for Baking Bacon
- Watch the bacon closely the first time you bake it to make sure it reaches your desired level of crispness. Note the amount of time it takes and you'll get perfect turkey bacon from the oven forever!
- How to make pork bacon in the oven: Pork bacon is more fatty than turkey bacon. Place a baked goods cooling rack on top of the foil lined cookie sheet then lay the pork bacon on the rack. This allows the bacon grease to drips onto the cookie sheet when baking.
- How to make peppered turkey bacon: Try adding pepper to your turkey bacon for extra flavor, simply sprinkle 1 tsp-1/2 tbsp black pepper on the uncooked turkey bacon before placing it in the oven. Get tips here.
Here’s how to make PERFECT turkey or pork bacon in the oven:
- 1 package turkey bacon
- 1 cookie sheet
- foil or parchment paper
- Preheat oven to 400° degrees.
Line your cookie sheet with foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Arrange bacon in a single layer on the baking sheet. It is okay for edges to overlap slightly.
Bake for 10 minutes then flip the bacon over. (Flipping the bacon is not necessary but makes the bacon crispier).
Bake for 5-10 minutes or until the bacon reaches your desired level of crispiness. (Watch the bacon closely to make sure it doesn't burn.)
Watch the bacon closely the first time make it in the oven to make sure it reaches your desired level of crispness. Note the amount of time it takes and you'll get perfect bacon from the oven forever.
To make pork bacon in the oven: Place a baked goods cooling rack on top of the foil lined cookie sheet then lay the pork bacon on the rack. This allows the bacon to stay out of the grease that drips onto the cookie sheet and makes crisper bacon.
More Easy Breakfast Ideas
Your family will also love these easy Ham, Egg and Cheese Breakfast Muffins. You can make them with ham, sausage or bacon!
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Nancy Boretos says
I need to know if the bacon splatters all over the oven. Does it need to be covered with a paper towel?
Bren says
It will splatter a little bit but I do not cover it. Do not put a paper towel in the oven, it will catch on fire.
Tabitha garland says
Well, mine burned after just 15 minutes on one side lol I’m making a fresh batch and going to just do 10 mins at 400.
Bren says
Sorry, Tabitha! Hope you like the final results.
Monique says
This worked great. It only required half the time on one side. My guests loved it and demanded more, even the supposedly vegetarian guests!
Bren says
I’m glad the recipe was a success, Monique! I never make bacon in the skillet anymore the oven is just too easy!
Nikolas Van Bogart says
30 minutes total seems long. Will it burn?
Bren says
You should check you bacon frequently the first time you make it in the oven to make sure it is cooked to your liking. The time depends on the thickness of the bacon and how crispy you like it to be cooked.
Peggy trout says
I just used a cast iron frying pan and Wesson corn oil fried up the turkey bacon and it was beautiful crisp and almost Fool’s you into thinking you are eating the real thing…corn oil cooks on a high temp and is good for you.
Bren says
Thanks for the tip, Peggy.
Susan Frank says
Yum
Greg says
I followed the direction and do not recommend following this recipe. Halve the time unless you want completely burned dried out bacon
Bren says
Sorry you bacon was dry, Greg. As I mention in the recipe you need to watch the bacon closely because different brands are cut to different thicknesses.
Gina J says
I had no problem with burning. I baked 10 minutes, flipped and checked at 8 minutes, like suggested. Each brand is different. I used the Culinary Circle brand from Cub Foods (I live in Minneapolis, Minnesota area.) But I have tried this with the Sam’s Club brand turkey bacon and had to cook 30 minutes to get crispy. The Sam’s Club brand is awesome for taste but my husband couldn’t tolerate something about it so I had to go back to CC brand. Just goes to show you gotta watch what you cook!
Bren says
Thanks for the review and tips, Gina! I used to live in Mpls and miss Cub Foods!