Cooking bacon in the oven

[Voldemort]

Why did I not know about this?

All my life I've either grilled or fried bacon but after a vigorous debate with a Canadian friend of mine I gave oven cooked bacon a go.

Streaky bacon laid on a baking tray lined with greaseproof paper into a hot oven (gas6) for 20/25 minutes.

I'm a convert. The level of crisp was just perfection.

Could be that I'm the last person in these parts to learn this but if you haven't tried oven cooked bacon then I command you to try it!

[Bluevanman]

Better in an air fryer

[daqinggregg]

Like the ChatGPT of the culinary world, someone always comes along and says it’s better in an air fryer (oven with a fan).

Oh well OP, if you haven’t done so already, best get yourself an air fryer.

[Lotobear]

It's true to say an air fryer is essentially a mini fan oven but it does do a fantastic job of cooking bacon, coveniently, quickly and much cheaper than a full sized oven - 5 minutes gives you lovely crispy bacon. Same with sausage but around 12 minutes for a thick Cumberland

[wyson]

Bacon is one of those things, tastes good no matter how it's cooked.

I remember camping putting them in foil packages with sausages, potatoes and onion with a bit of water in a fire. The bacon was sort of char boiled? Still tasted fantastic.

[wyson]

Lotobear said:

It's true to say an air fryer is essentially a mini fan oven but it does do a fantastic job of cooking bacon, coveniently, quickly and much cheaper than a full sized oven - 5 minutes gives you lovely crispy bacon. Same with sausage but around 12 minutes for a thick Cumberland

How do you stop thick smoke pouring out of the air fryer with sausages?

[geeks]

wyson said:

How do you stop thick smoke pouring out of the air fryer with sausages?

Never had that issue?

[bigpriest]

Grill for me, intense heat downwards gives a nicer taste. Also let's me see the solidified fat that I've avoided eating which may or may not have any impact on my health but makes me feel better.

[carguy45]

+1 for the air fryer. I've cooked bacon all different ways over the years (oven, grill, fry) but since I've got an air fryer, I always do it in that - I use streaky bacon and it comes out like that perfect American breakfast-style crispy bacon every time. No need to stand and watch it or have fat sparking all over the cooking hob.

[Jo-say8k]

Crispy bacon from the top of the roast chicken is a perfect Sunday appetiser!
Grilled or fried bacon before noon but oven cooked bacon after midday

[The Hofff]

wyson said:

How do you stop thick smoke pouring out of the air fryer with sausages?

Clean your air frier
...seriously though, never had that issue personally. If you are using raised trays in there then drop it down to the lowest point as it could be the sausage fat hitting the heating element

[wyson]

It was a new air fryer, one of the first things I put in it was sausages. Thick smoke started pouring out of it.

Never had that issue with any other food!

Perhaps its just my particular Phillips model is sensitive to fatty foods.

[NormalWisdom]

Lotobear said:

It's true to say an air fryer is essentially a mini fan oven but it does do a fantastic job of cooking bacon, coveniently, quickly and much cheaper than a full sized oven - 5 minutes gives you lovely crispy bacon. Same with sausage but around 12 minutes for a thick Cumberland

Totally agree - Mrs Wisdom always cooks sausages/bacon in the oven (she is a chef so I am therefore unqualified to breath in the kitchen). We did recently acquire an Air fryer and for reasons of cost, convenience and quality it is definitely worthy - (and, I am allowed to use it!!)

[geeks]

wyson said:

It was a new air fryer, one of the first things I put in it was sausages. Thick smoke started pouring out of it.

Never had that issue with any other food!

Perhaps its just my particular Phillips model is sensitive to fatty foods.

Bizarre! Have you tried since? You know... for science!

[Sporky]

20-25 minutes sounds a lot. I usually do 10.

[Mobile Chicane]

BBQ it.

Game changer.

[Dave.]

wyson said:

Bacon is one of those things, tastes good no matter how it's cooked.

Ever tried it microwaved?

[wyson]

I m not stupid enough to cook sausages in my air fryer again, at least not indoors ;p, but might try microwaved bacon now

[Arrivalist]

Voldemort said:

Why did I not know about this?

All my life I've either grilled or fried bacon but after a vigorous debate with a Canadian friend of mine I gave oven cooked bacon a go.

Streaky bacon laid on a baking tray lined with greaseproof paper into a hot oven (gas6) for 20/25 minutes.

I'm a convert. The level of crisp was just perfection.

Could be that I'm the last person in these parts to learn this but if you haven't tried oven cooked bacon then I command you to try it!

Been oven cooking it for years. Place in oven, set a timer, turn it over, set a timer, done.

Easy peasy and nothing to clean afterwards bar your plate and cutlery.

[AlexC1981]

bigpriest said:

Grill for me, intense heat downwards gives a nicer taste. Also let's me see the solidified fat that I've avoided eating which may or may not have any impact on my health but makes me feel better.

This is how I do it. I found the airfryer came out similar, but it's less washing up to use the grill and I can fit more in!

Oven cooked streaky bacon is nice as an accompaniment to something, but for a bacon sandwich it has to be grilled back bacon.