I swear by this method!

Before you start cooking, it’s crucial to gather all necessary supplies. You’ll need a baking sheet, aluminum foil or parchment paper, a baking rack, and, of course, your bacon. Having paper towels or a dish for draining excess grease is also essential. Make sure your oven is clean and preheated to the correct temperature.

Start by lining your baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper. This will catch any grease drippings and make cleanup a breeze. If you’re using a baking rack, place it on top of the lined baking sheet. Arrange your bacon strips in a single layer, making sure they don’t overlap. This helps ensure each slice cooks evenly.

The key to a mess-free bacon cooking method lies in using your oven instead of the stovetop. Oven-baking bacon reduces grease splatters and allows for even cooking. By lining your baking sheet and using a rack, you also prevent bacon from sitting in its grease, which can make it soggy.

To achieve the perfect bacon, you need the right temperature and cooking time. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place your prepared baking sheet with bacon in the oven and let it cook for about 15-20 minutes, depending on your desired level of crispiness. Keep an eye on it to prevent burning and ensure even cooking.

When placing bacon on the baking sheet, make sure the strips are arranged in a single layer and spaced apart. This allows hot air to circulate around each piece, ensuring they cook evenly. Overcrowding will result in unevenly cooked bacon.

Utilizing a baking rack helps elevate the bacon, allowing the grease to drip down onto the lined baking sheet. This method not only keeps the bacon out of the grease but also helps in achieving an even crispiness. If you don’t have a baking rack, cooking directly on the lined sheet will still work, but you might need to drain excess grease halfway through cooking.

Cooking bacon at 400°F (200°C) is ideal for achieving crispy bacon without burning it. The cooking time can vary depending on the thickness of your bacon and personal preference for crispiness. Check the bacon at the 15-minute mark and continue to monitor it until it reaches the desired doneness.

One of the biggest challenges when cooking bacon is dealing with the grease. By oven-baking with a lined sheet and rack, most of the grease will drip away from the bacon. Once your bacon is cooked, carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the grease to cool slightly before disposing of it. Never pour grease down the sink, as it can clog your pipes.

Cleaning up after cooking bacon in the oven is simple. Let the baking sheet and aluminum foil or parchment paper cool completely before crumpling it up and tossing it away. If you used a baking rack, soak it in hot, soapy water to easily remove any stuck-on bits. Wipe down any surfaces that may have encountered grease to maintain a clean kitchen.

While oven-baking is the easiest and cleanest way to make bacon, other methods offer good results too. Microwaving bacon using a microwave-safe bacon tray can yield crispy results with minimal mess. The air fryer is another alternative that cooks bacon evenly and contains grease well. Experiment with these methods to find your preferred way of cooking bacon without the mess.

Cooking bacon without making a huge mess is not only possible but also straightforward with the right approach. Using the oven method with a lined baking sheet and optional rack will lead to delicious, evenly cooked bacon. The reduced mess and easy cleanup will make this method your go-to for bacon preparation. Enjoy your crispy, perfect bacon without the hassle, and revel in a cleaner kitchen.