How To Cook Bacon In A Toaster Oven: For A Crispy Perfection

Content Summary

Bacon is a classic breakfast food that most people love indulging in. Whether crispy or chewy, bacon - including frozen bacon strips or leftover bacon - is a great way to kickstart your day with lots of energy.

As much as it is delicious, bacon cooking on a stovetop, as in a frying pan, can be messy and time-consuming.

A toaster oven bacon is different. Your oven can be used to cook bacon to perfection, with different options like baking, air frying, and broiling. It's fast, clean, and produces crispy bacon that you’ll love.

You will find the tips and tricks for cooking bacon in a toaster oven. We will also walk through different types of bacon, various crispy levels, and how to cook them for perfect results. Check further for the details.

How To Cook Bacon In A Toaster Oven

1. Equipment

A baking tray or a wire rack that fits in your toaster oven
A pair of tongs used for flipping bacon
A baking parchment paper or aluminum foil to prevent the bacon grease from spattering
A toaster oven

Frying bacon can be tricky. It can be done with a frying pan or an oven safe bacon pan, but for best results you need a toaster oven.

That is, as long as it can achieve sufficient temperature to cook bacon. We've found that a toaster oven with a temperature of 400°F (200°C) works best for cooking bacon.

2. Ingredients

1/4 to 1/2 lb. of bacon (depending on the size of your toaster oven)
2 tablespoons of butter or olive oil (optional)
Non-stick cooking spray (optional)
Baking sheet to catch the bacon fat.

3. Types Of Bacon

There are different types of bacon, each having its own unique texture and taste. Here is a brief rundown on the most common types:

Regular Bacon: This type of bacon is cured in brine or packed in salt and typically contains more fat than other types. It’s usually sold in slices or strips, and is often the most affordable type of bacon.
Dry Cured Bacon: This type of bacon is cured with salt and preservatives, like nitrates and nitrites, for a longer period of time. Its flavor is more intense than regular bacon but it contains less fat. This includes Italian bacon (Pancetta), English bacon.
Turkey Bacon: This is a healthier alternative to pork bacon as it contains fewer calories and fat, with more protein. It tastes similar to regular bacon but its texture is noticeably different.
Vegan Bacon: This type of bacon is designed for vegetarians and vegans, made from a variety of plant-based ingredients. It usually mimics the taste and texture of regular bacon but some varieties have unique flavors or textures.

4. Bacon Cooking Time

Each bacon type has a different cooking time and method. The best types for cooking in a toaster oven are thinner slices such as turkey bacon, cured pork bacon, and vegan bacon.

Turkey Bacon: Cook for 8 to 10 minutes at 400°F (200°C).
Italian Bacon: Cook for 10 to 12 minutes at 400°F (200°C).
English Bacon: Cook for 10 to 12 minutes at 400°F (200°C).
Vegan Bacon: Cook for 6 to 8 minutes at 375°F (190°C).

5. Instructions

Preheat your toaster oven to 375°F or 400°F.
Line the baking sheet with parchment paper or spray it with a non-stick cooking spray.
Make sure that your toaster oven can fit a baking sheet with bacon.
Place the bacon slices on the baking sheet, making sure they are not touching.
Bake the bacon for 8-12 minutes, depending on your desired crispiness and the type of bacon.
Once done, use tongs to transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to remove excess grease.

6. Toaster Oven Functions

Toaster ovens usually come with different preset functions that can be used when cooking food. When cooking bacon in a toaster oven, the bake and air fry functions are the most used.

Use the bake function for a crispy option and air fry for a healthier crispy result. Broil function work well with thicker bacon slices, but ensure that you watch them closely to prevent burning.

The Bake function is the most commonly used. It's ideal for cooking pork bacon and achieving a crispy and evenly cooked texture.
The Air Fry function is a recent toaster oven function that is ideal for cooking turkey and vegan bacon. It uses hot air circulation to cook food, which makes it healthier than traditional frying methods.
The Broil function is ideal for thick cut bacon, achieving a delightful crispness without crossing the line into overcooked territory. It caters perfectly to those who prefer a slightly chewier texture in their bacon.

Candied Bacon | Cuisinart ® Recipe | Cuisinart

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Tips & Tricks

1. Desired Crispy Level

How crispy do you like your bacon? The toaster oven can help you baking bacon while achieving your preferred crispy level with the right temperature and cooking time.

Do realize that not everyone loves crispy baked bacon. Some like it "just a bit" crispy. Remember that "perfect bacon" is all in the "mouths and minds" of the diner.
For a soft, chewy and crispy texture, cook in "Bake" setting for a few minutes less than the recommended time.
To get extra crispy bacon, you can first set your toaster oven to "Broil" and place your bacon in the toaster oven pan. Broil for 2 minutes, then flip the bacon over using tongs and cook for another 2 minutes.

Crispy bacon lovers should cook it for a few minutes longer in the baking pan than the recommend time.
For an even crispier result, you can place the cooked bacon on the wire or baking rack after transferring it from the baking sheet. This will help the grease drain better and also give the bacon an extra crispy texture.
Don't walk away. Keep a close eye on your bacon while it is cooking in the oven as it can burn quickly if not monitored. If cooked for too long, the bacon will become burnt and ruin the flavor. To avoid burning, frequently check on the bacon and adjust the cooking time accordingly.
After finishing, put the cooked bacon on paper towels to catch the fat.

2. Side Dishes

Bacon is the perfect side dish for any meal. It pairs well with eggs, potatoes, toast, and salads. Here are some delicious recipes to try out:

Bacon & Egg Breakfast Sandwich: A classic breakfast sandwich made with crispy bacon, fluffy scrambled eggs and melted cheese, served on a slice of toasted bread.
Bacon Potato Salad: A creamy potato salad made with potatoes, bacon, mayonnaise and chives.
Bacon & Avocado Salad: A flavorful salad made with fresh greens, diced avocado, crispy bacon pieces and your favorite dressing
Bacon-wrapped Asparagus: Healthy asparagus wrapped in smoky bacon and baked to perfection.
Bacon-wrapped Stuffed Jalapeños: Delicious jalapeños stuffed with cheese and wrapped in bacon, perfect for a snack or appetizer.

Cooking bacon in a toaster oven is quick, easy, and mess-free. It will infuse your kitchen with an aroma that will leave your taste buds yearning for more.