Learn how to make crispy bacon in toaster oven in minutes! This easy no-mess method requires no flipping and keeps cleanup super simple.
Looking for more easy hacks?
Check out the meat stock, how to make hash browns from scratch, and homemade tortilla chips.
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Recipe Overview
- Prep and Cook Time: 5 minutes to prep and 15 minutes to cook
- Cooking Method: Oven-baked
- Dietary Info: Keto, Whole30, Paleo, GAPS, Ancestral diet
- Tools Needed: small sheet pan with rack
- Skill Level: Easy
What is an ancestral diet? Read my post on what nourishing foods are based on the traditional dietary principles of the Weston A. Price Foundation.
Reasons to Love This Toaster Oven Bacon
I used to think the only way to get perfectly crispy bacon was in a skillet or the oven, but then I discovered the magic of making bacon in a toaster oven. No grease splattering all over the stove, no waiting forever for the big oven to preheat—just perfectly cooked bacon in a small, efficient space.
Toaster oven bacon is ideal for when you only need a few slices, don’t want to heat up the whole kitchen, or just want easy cleanup. Plus, it cooks evenly and crisps up beautifully, making it a game-changer for breakfast, BLTs, or adding that irresistible bacon crunch to any dish.
Ingredients for Toaster Oven Bacon
- Bacon: Use your favorite pastured thin-cut bacon for the best results. Avoid thick-cut, as it won’t get as crispy in the toaster oven. If thick-cut bacon is all you have, you need to make some modifications to the recipe (see below). You can also use turkey bacon but cut the time since it's a lot leaner and will cook faster.
Variations
- Sweet – Brush some maple syrup over the bacon slices to add a touch of sweetness.
- Black pepper - Grind some coarsely fresh-cracked black pepper for a touch of warmth.
- Thick-cut bacon - Bake at 400°F for 18-22 minutes, checking for desired crispiness. Using a wire rack with thick-cut bacon is all the more important to allow air circulation. Flip the bacon halfway through. If needed, increase the time by a few minutes for extra crispiness.
How to Cook Bacon in Toaster Oven
The complete printable recipe is below in the recipe card for your convenience. Follow these simple step-by-step instructions for the best results.
Step 1. Preheat
Preheat toaster oven to 425°F. Place a cooling rack over a small pan to catch drippings. Spread out bacon strips in a single layer.
Step 2. Cook
Cook the bacon for 12-15 minutes. Transfer the bacon strips onto a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess grease.
Helpful Tips
- Use a rack – Elevating the bacon allows the air to circulate for even crispiness and prevents it from sitting in excess grease.
- Save the bacon grease – Store it in a jar for cooking eggs, roasting veggies, or adding flavor to dishes. If using good quality bacon, it is a healthy fat, much like beef tallow. If you save the bacon fat, don't line the pan with parchment paper and pour the fat into a jar while still warm.
- Watch closely - Bacon can go from perfectly crispy to burnt quickly, so keep an eye on it in the last couple of minutes of cooking time.
- Preheat for best results - While not always necessary, preheating the toaster oven helps the bacon cook more evenly and crisp up faster.
Troubleshooting
- Too dry? Just crumble it up and use it as bacon bits.
- Not crispy enough? Leave the bacon in the toaster oven for an extra 2-3 minutes, checking frequently to avoid burning.
Product Highlight!
Small Sheet with Rack
I love using this small quarter-size sheet (perfect size for a counter toaster oven) with a wire. It allows the fat to drip off and helps the bacon cook evenly without getting greasy.
💭Meal Prep Suggestion!
Make a bunch of bacon and store whole strips in the fridge for up to five days or freeze for three months. You can also make bacon crumbles by chopping cooled bacon and storing it in an airtight container. Use them to top salads, eggs, roasted veggies, soups, and more! Having pre-cooked bacon on hand is such a game-changer when you love bacon so much!
Frequently Asked Questions
Store leftover toaster oven bacon in an airtight container for up to five days. These glass snap containers are perfect for bacon. To reheat, transfer the bacon from the toaster oven to a small skillet and warm over medium-high heat, stirring often.
Yes! Let the cooked bacon cool completely, then freeze it in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring it to an airtight container or freezer bag with parchment paper between layers. It stays fresh for up to 3 months.
No, flipping isn’t necessary, especially if you use a wire rack and thin-cut bacon. The heat circulates around the bacon, cooking it evenly. If cooking directly on a pan, flipping halfway through helps.
Looking for recipes to use this toaster oven bacon? Here are some ideas:
Did you make this bacon in the toaster oven? Please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ recipe rating in the recipe card below and leave a review in the comments. Thank you!💚
Printable Recipe
Toaster Oven Bacon
Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 ounces thin-cut bacon
Instructions
- Preheat toaster oven to 425°F. Place a cooking rack over a small pan to catch drippings. Spread out bacon strips in a single layer.12 ounces thin-cut bacon
- Cook the bacon for 12-15 minutes. Transfer the bacon strips onto a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess grease.
Notes
- Use a rack – Elevating the bacon allows the air to circulate for even crispiness and prevents it from sitting in excess grease.
- Save the bacon grease – Store it in a jar for cooking eggs, roasting veggies, or adding flavor to dishes. If using good quality bacon, it is a healthy fat, much like beef tallow. If you save the bacon fat, don't line the pan with parchment paper and pour the fat into a jar while still warm.
- Watch closely - Bacon can go from perfectly crispy to burnt quickly, so keep an eye on it in the last couple of minutes of cooking time.
- Preheat for best results - While not always necessary, preheating the toaster oven helps the bacon cook more evenly and crisp up faster.
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