Ingredients:
- Bacon slices
Instructions:
1. **Preheat the Oven**: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Adjust the temperature as needed based on your oven and preferences.
2. **Prepare a Baking Sheet**: Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup. If desired, place a wire rack on top of the baking sheet to allow the bacon grease to drip off the bacon slices.
3. **Arrange the Bacon**: Lay the bacon slices in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Make sure the slices are not overlapping to ensure even cooking.
4. **Bake the Bacon**: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the bacon for 15-20 minutes, depending on the thickness of the bacon and your desired level of crispiness. Thicker slices may require additional cooking time.
5. **Check and Rotate**: After about 10 minutes of baking, check the bacon for doneness. If the slices are cooking unevenly, rotate the baking sheet or flip the slices using tongs for more even browning.
6. **Drain and Serve**: Once the bacon reaches your desired level of crispiness, remove the baking sheet from the oven. Use tongs to transfer the bacon slices to a plate lined with paper towels to drain off excess grease.
7. **Cool and Enjoy**: Let the cooked bacon cool for a few minutes before serving. Serve the crispy bacon slices alongside your favorite breakfast dishes or use them in recipes.
8. **Dispose of Grease**: Allow the bacon grease on the baking sheet to cool and solidify before carefully folding up the aluminum foil or parchment paper and disposing of it in the trash. Alternatively, save the bacon grease for cooking or discard it according to your preference.
Cooking bacon in the oven is a hands-off method that allows you to cook large batches of bacon at once with minimal effort. Adjust the cooking time and temperature as needed based on your preferences and the thickness of the bacon slices. Enjoy your crispy oven-baked bacon!