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Achieving Perfectly Crisp Bacon: Expert-Recommended Oven Method
For devotees of crispy bacon, the quest for the ideal cooking technique is ongoing. Various approaches exist, from frying and air frying to oven baking. However, discerning the method that consistently yields perfectly crisp bacon remains a key culinary question. Food authority and recipe innovator Ann Taylor Pittman undertook a comprehensive test of eight distinct bacon preparation methods, ultimately disclosing her top choice on the website The Kitchn. Pittman, who utilizes bacon as both a “flavoring agent” and a “prominent dish component”, as well as enjoying it on its own, conducted a side-by-side comparison to pinpoint the superior cooking approach for this beloved pork product.
The Bacon Cooking Experiment
Pittman recounts her inconsistent past methods, stating, “I’ve never had a consistent, go-to method for cooking that bacon. I’ve cooked it in a skillet and in the oven, and I’ve resorted to the microwave when time was of the essence.” To definitively determine the optimal technique, she rigorously tested multiple methods, meticulously comparing the outcomes. Her investigation revealed that the secret to achieving “perfectly crisp” bacon lies in the utilization of baking paper.
The Superior Method: Baking Bacon on Parchment Paper
Pittman lauded the winning method, noting, “I loved the texture and appearance of this bacon, and that it cooks hands-free with no babysitting. I also loved that this method works for a few slices or up to 20, and that, if you use the overhang trick, cleanup is just so incredibly easy,” awarding it a perfect score.
This favored technique, as outlined by Pittman, necessitates approximately 18 minutes for regular-cut bacon and 24 minutes for thicker slices, in addition to a 10-minute oven preheating duration.
Martha Stewart’s “Spatter-Free” Bacon Technique
The oven-baked bacon approach, championing crispy bacon and minimal cleanup, originates from lifestyle expert Martha Stewart. Stewart advocates this “spatter-free” method for achieving “perfectly crispy bacon” through the simple application of baking paper.
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Simple Steps for Oven-Baked Crispy Bacon:
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Arrange bacon strips in a single layer on the parchment paper.
- Place the baking sheet in a preheated oven at 200°C (180°C fan/Gas Mark 6).
- Bake until bacon reaches desired crispness.
Achieving Optimal Crispness and Easy Cleanup
Once the bacon is cooked to perfection, transfer it to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess grease. This final step ensures maximum crispness. This method effortlessly delivers delicious, crispy bacon.
Benefits of Oven-Baking Bacon in Rendered Fat
“Because the bacon sits in its own rendered fat as it bakes, it cooks more quickly than if you cooked it on a rack. The fatty parts also get wonderfully crispy (if you like that), because they’re basically fried. If you prefer your bacon chewier, you can simply cook it a few minutes less to achieve that effect,” Pittman explained, highlighting the method’s versatility.
Pittman further observed that both regular and thick-cut bacon cooked “evenly” and remained “completely flat” without the need for flipping, an added convenience of this technique.
Effortless Cleanup Tip
To simplify cleanup, Pittman recommends using a parchment paper sheet large enough to overhang the baking tray’s edges. This allows for easy folding after cooking, preventing drippings from escaping and ensuring a hassle-free post-cooking process.