What is good about oven-baked bacon
Using the oven for oven-baked bacon helps you cook a large amount at once. It keeps your kitchen cleaner because there is no grease splashing onto the stove. The heat surrounds the strips so they cook evenly on both sides without much effort. It is a reliable technique for getting consistent results every time.
Step by step: oven-baked bacon
Preparation: Preheat your oven to 200C and line a large baking tray with baking parchment. This prevents sticking and makes cleaning up much faster later.
Arranging: Lay the strips of bacon side by side on the tray in a single layer. Make sure they do not overlap so they can crisp up properly.
Cooking: Place the tray in the middle of the oven and bake for about fifteen minutes. Check them halfway through to ensure they are browning evenly.
Draining: Remove the tray from the oven once the bacon is as crispy as you like. Move the strips to a plate with kitchen paper to soak up any extra oil.
Useful tips for oven-baked bacon
For the best oven-baked bacon, start with cold bacon straight from the fridge. If you prefer extra crispy results, you can place a wire rack on top of the baking tray. This allows the hot air to circulate underneath the meat as well.
Always keep an eye on the oven during the last few minutes as thin strips can burn quickly. You can save the rendered fat in a small jar for cooking other dishes later. If you are cooking a very large batch, use two trays and swap their positions halfway through. This method works well for both streaky and back bacon styles.
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baked side of salmon,
steamed plaice fillet or
classic waldorf salad.