Cook bacon in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 10–20 minutes, depending on thickness and how crispy you like it. Regular-cut bacon is often done around 12–18 minutes, while thick-cut can take closer to 18–25 minutes.

Quick Scoop

  • For regular-cut bacon :
    • 400°F (200°C)
    • Start checking at 10 minutes; many strips finish around 12–18 minutes.
  • For thick-cut bacon :
    • 400°F (200°C)
    • Plan on about 18–25 minutes, checking every few minutes near the end.
  • Bacon crisps more as it cools, so pull it just before it looks “perfect” to you.

Simple Step‑By‑Step

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil or parchment for easier cleanup.
  3. Lay bacon in a single layer (no overlapping).
  4. Bake:
    • 10–15 minutes for softer/chewy.
    • 15–20+ minutes for crispier or thick-cut.
  5. Move bacon to a paper towel–lined plate to drain and finish crisping.

Handy Timing Table

Oven Temp Bacon Type Approx. Time Range Texture Goal
400°F / 200°C Regular-cut 10–15 min Softer to medium- crisp
400°F / 200°C Regular-cut 15–20 min Crispy
400°F / 200°C Thick-cut 18–25 min Crispy / well-browned

Little Story‑Style Tip

Think of the bacon strip like a sunbather at the beach: the first 10 minutes are just “warming up,” and then, very suddenly, it starts browning fast. Hover nearby in those last few minutes so you can rescue it at your perfect level of tan instead of burnt. TL;DR:
Use 400°F (200°C), check at 10 minutes, and then keep an eye on it every 2–3 minutes until the bacon looks just a shade less crispy than you ultimately want.