Bacon
Baking
Temperatures:
- At 375°F
- bacon is more tender and nearly dissolves in the mouth, taking about 35 minutes to cook1.
- Higher temperatures give bacon a crisp-chewy dynamic
- At 425°F,
- Retains a meaty chew with a crisp texture, cooking in about 20 minutes.
- Lower temperatures result in bacon that’s more likely to melt in your mouth
Baking Methods:
- Direct on Tray Method:
- Description: Lay bacon strips directly on a rimmed baking sheet.
- Advantages: Easy and straightforward.
- Texture: Results in evenly cooked, crispy bacon.
- Cleanup: Line the tray with heavy-duty foil for easy cleanup.
- On a Wire Rack Method:
- Description: Place a wire rack on the baking sheet and arrange bacon on the rack.
- Advantages: Bacon stays elevated, allowing grease to drip away.
- Texture: Similar to direct method but slightly harder to clean.
- Crimped Foil Method:
- Description: Create a crimped foil “rack” by folding foil into ridges and placing bacon on top.
- Advantages: Innovative approach.
- Texture: Uneven cooking due to varying contact with foil ridges.
- Parchment Paper & Second Tray Method:
- Description: Sandwich bacon between two parchment paper sheets and place a second tray on top.
- Advantages: Keeps bacon flat.
- Texture: Takes longer to crisp up [Reference](Baked Bacon for a Crowd Recipe (seriouseats.com))