Cooking frozen bacon in the oven is a convenient hands-off way to prepare large batches of crispy bacon. While oven cooking times vary slightly based on the amount and thickness of the bacon, most frozen bacon takes 18-25 minutes to bake at 400°F from frozen to crispy perfection.
Bacon is a beloved breakfast staple and cooking it in the oven is an easy way to prepare large amounts with minimal effort. Many people keep bacon in the freezer for longer storage and like the convenience of being able to bake it directly from frozen. The key things to know when baking frozen bacon are:
- Start with a cold oven – Do not preheat
- Line baking sheets with foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup
- Space bacon slices out in a single layer
- Bake at 400°F
- Flip bacon halfway through cooking
- Cook times range from 18-25 minutes depending on thickness
Following these tips will help you achieve perfectly crispy oven-baked bacon every time.
How Long Does it Take to Bake Frozen Bacon?
In general, expect frozen bacon to take 18-25 minutes to bake at 400°F. Thinner sliced bacon may be done in 15-18 minutes, while thick-cut bacon can take up to 25 minutes.
Here are some more specific oven bake times for frozen bacon:
| Bacon Type | Cook Time |
|---|---|
| Regular sliced (about 1/16 inch thick) | 18-20 minutes |
| Thick-cut (about 1/8 inch thick) | 22-25 minutes |
| Turkey bacon | 15-18 minutes |
These times are based on baking a full pound of bacon from completely frozen. If you are baking a partial package or the bacon has thawed slightly, reduce cook times by 2-3 minutes.
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these simple steps for perfectly baked frozen bacon every time:
- Preheat oven to 400°F – Do not preheat the oven first. You will put the bacon in while the oven preheats.
- Line baking sheets – Cover baking sheets completely with foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Arrange bacon slices – Lay bacon out in a single layer on the baking sheets. Make sure slices are not overlapping.
- Bake frozen bacon – Put baking sheets directly on oven racks. Bake for 18-25 minutes based on thickness.
- Flip bacon halfway – After 10-12 minutes, use tongs to flip bacon slices over. This allows for even cooking.
- Check for doneness – Bacon should be crispy and golden brown when fully cooked. Small pools of fat will appear around each slice.
- Remove and drain – Take baking sheets out of oven and transfer bacon to a paper towel lined plate to absorb excess grease.
Let the bacon cool slightly before serving to avoid burning your mouth. It stays crispy for several hours after cooking.
Tips
Here are some additional tips for successfully baking frozen bacon in the oven:
- Place bacon closer to the center of the oven rather than near the edges to prevent burning.
- Baking multiple sheets at once will increase cook time slightly.
- Do not crowd the pan. Overlapping bacon prevents even crisping.
- Bake an extra minute or two if you prefer bacon extra crispy.
- Let oven fully preheat before putting bacon in if starting from room temperature.
- Bake on convection setting for quicker and more even cooking if your oven has it.
Common Questions
Should you preheat the oven for frozen bacon?
No, do not preheat the oven if baking bacon directly from frozen. Put the bacon in first, then turn on the oven. Preheating is only necessary if baking thawed bacon.
Does thawed bacon cook faster than frozen?
Yes, thawed bacon will cook 2-3 minutes faster than completely frozen bacon. If your bacon has been in the refrigerator and is slightly softened, start checking it earlier during cooking.
Can you refreeze bacon after baking it?
It is not recommended to refreeze bacon after baking it. The changes in texture make it less suitable for freezing again. Cooked bacon will last 3-4 days refrigerated.
What temperature should you bake bacon at?
400°F is ideal for achieving crispy oven-baked bacon. Higher temperatures may burn the bacon before the fat renders. Lower temperatures will produce undercooked, rubbery bacon.
Conclusion
Baking frozen bacon in the oven takes around 18-25 minutes at 400°F. Allowing the oven to fully preheat first is unnecessary and leads to overcooked bacon. Lining pans and spreading out the bacon prevents sticking and encourages even crisping. Adjust cook times slightly for partial packages or thinner sliced bacon. Following this simple method results in deliciously crispy oven-baked bacon with little effort.