Set your oven to 400°F. While the oven heats, line your baking sheet with aluminum foil. This helps catch grease for easy cleanup later.

Pro Tip: Use an oven thermometer to double-check the temperature. Many built-in thermometers can be inaccurate, and it may take longer, or less time to cook if your oven isn't accurate.

For extra crispy bacon: Place a metal cooling rack on the foil-lined sheet pan. This elevates the bacon, allowing air to circulate and cook it evenly on all sides.

For chewier bacon or simplicity: Skip the rack and place the bacon directly on the foil. It will still turn out amazing.

Arrange the bacon strips in a single layer, ensuring they don’t overlap. Overlapping causes uneven cooking and sticking.

Place the sheet pan in the oven and bake for 15–20 minutes, depending on the thickness of the bacon and your desired crispiness.

Start checking around the 15-minute mark, as ovens can vary.

Remove when the bacon reaches your preferred level of crispiness.

Use tongs to transfer the cooked bacon to a plate lined with paper towels. Let it drain for a minute or two to remove excess grease if needed. Serve immediately.